Tag: Ryan Ford

WSOF 14 Results and GIF Highlights: Shields Submits Ford, Rama Blasts Mehmen

(Photo via Getty)

By Alex Giardini

WSOF 14: “Shields vs. Ford” came and went last night from Edmonton’s Expo Centre in Alberta, Canada, with the majority of the focus on a former UFC and Strikeforce combatant looking to regain his flair.

In a card billed as USA vs. Canada (borrowed from pro wrestling, of course), a welterweight title shot was on the line, as Jake Shields took on Ryan Ford in the main event. The co-main event featured the inaugural heavyweight championship bout between Derrick Mehmen and Smealinho Rama, and also on the main card, Canadian MMA veteran Chris Horodecki battled Luis Huete and Jared Hamman took on Luke Harris.

Check out the GIF highlights and the complete results below (all via Zombie Prophet):


(Photo via Getty)

By Alex Giardini

WSOF 14: “Shields vs. Ford” came and went last night from Edmonton’s Expo Centre in Alberta, Canada, with the majority of the focus on a former UFC and Strikeforce combatant looking to regain his flair.

In a card billed as USA vs. Canada (borrowed from pro wrestling, of course), a welterweight title shot was on the line, as Jake Shields took on Ryan Ford in the main event. The co-main event featured the inaugural heavyweight championship bout between Derrick Mehmen and Smealinho Rama, and also on the main card, Canadian MMA veteran Chris Horodecki battled Luis Huete and Jared Hamman took on Luke Harris.

Check out the GIF highlights and the complete results below (all via Zombie Prophet):

Hakeem Dawodu vs. Mike Malott

The prelims were nothing to boast about, but we got this highlight of Hakeem Dawodu blasting Mike Malott, just because.

Jared Hamman vs. Luke Harris

The main card opened up with UFC veteran Jared Hamman against TUF: Nations alumnus Luke Harris, and it’s safe to say the former was a tad too much to handle. Hamman was treating Harris like a punching bag until his eventual death, but thank God the official stepped in when the Albertan’s knees his the mat.

Chris Horodecki vs. Luis Huete

This one was by far the card’s snoozer of the night, as the “Polish Hammer” used his wrestling abilities to best his opponent. He took Huete down at will, sometimes inactive and forced to stand up through the course of their bout.

Derrick Mehmen vs. Smealinho Rama

This fight would crown the promotion’s first heavyweight champion, with the 22-year-old prospect seizing the opportunity and finishing Mehmen in brutal fashion. It only took him 51 seconds to capture the gold, rocking and dropping “Caveman” multiple times.

Jake Shields vs. Ryan Ford

The Skrap Pack member acquired his first stoppage victory since 2009 (!), submitting Ryan Ford in the first round. The former Strikeforce champ hit the ground after Ford threw his first punch (a jab), but Shields recovered and eventually brought the “Real Deal” to the mat and sunk in a rear-naked choke. Successful in his first fight since his UFC release, Shields will take on the winner of Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch for the WSOF welterweight strap. Call me a masochist, but I’ve been waiting years for Shields vs. Fitch, and goodness gracious, I hope it happens.

Here are the complete WSOF 14 results:

Main Card

Jake Shields def. Ryan Ford via submission (rear naked choke), 4:29 of round 1.
Smealinho Rama def. Derrick Mehmen via TKO (punches), 0:51 of round 1.
Chris Horodecki def. Luis Huete via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Jared Hamman def. Luke Harris via TKO (punches), 2:27 of round 1.

Preliminary Card

Tim Hague def. Craig Hudson via TKO (punches), 2:55 of round 3.
Hakeem Dawodu def. Mike Malott via TKO (punches and elbows), 4:13 of round 1.
Matt Baker def. Cody Krahn via submission (armbar), 2:28 of round 1.
Roger Alves def. David Swanson via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Today in Head Kicks: Ryan Ford Goes ‘Silva vs. Belfort’ at WSOF Canada, and a Women’s Muay Thai Bout Ends With a Lawn Chair KO [VIDEOS]

Major props are in order for CP reader Lewis Scott for passing along this video of British women’s Muay Thai world champion Iman Barlow’s latest fight, which went down in Melton Mowbray, UK last weekend.

Those of you not familiar with Barlow should know that despite being just 20 years of age, she is a multi-title holder who has compiled over 130 fights since making her professional debut when she was only twelve years old. Riding a three fight, three decision win streak into last Saturday’s match with Maritzarda Hersisia, Barlow came out aggressive and looking for the kill, which she would find a minute into the second round via a beautiful right high kick.

Hersisia crumpled to the mat in classic lawn chair fashion, and Barlow walked off with her latest championship — the 2014 Golden Belt World Title. Check out the vicious KO above, then follow us below for the big highlight from last weekend’s WSOF Canada event.

Major props are in order for CP reader Lewis Scott for passing along this video of British women’s Muay Thai world champion Iman Barlow’s latest fight, which went down in Melton Mowbray, UK last weekend.

Those of you not familiar with Barlow should know that despite being just 20 years of age, she is a multi-title holder who has compiled over 130 fights since making her professional debut when she was only twelve years old. Riding a three fight, three decision win streak into last Saturday’s match with Maritzarda Hersisia, Barlow came out aggressive and looking for the kill, which she would find a minute into the second round via a beautiful right high kick.

Hersisia crumpled to the mat in classic lawn chair fashion, and Barlow walked off with her latest championship — the 2014 Golden Belt World Title. Check out the vicious KO above, then follow us below for the big highlight from last weekend’s WSOF Canada event.

Did anyone know that World Series of Fighting put on an event last weekend? Or that World Series of Fighting (Canada) was even a thing? Well, they are, and the main event of their most recent card featured Bellator veteran Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford breaking out the Sensei Seagal Signature Front Kick against journeyman Joel Powell. The video may not be the best quality, but the sound it was able to capture from Ford’s kick should more than make up for it. Seriously, it sounded like someone fired a starter pistol into a bag of flour when that thing landed.

The win improved Ford’s record to a solid 22-4 and secured him the promotion’s (Canadian) welterweight crown. Wait, WSOF gives out separate titles for their Canadian champions? I’m sorry I ever doubted you, BG.

–J. Jones

Bellator 67 Recap: Gono Retires, Baker Upsets Saunders

To put it mildly, I’ve been skeptical about Bellator’s non-title fights in the past. They’ve all been total squash fights, and light-heavyweight champion Christian M’Pumbu actually managed to lose his against Travis Wiuff back at Bellator 55. Last night didn’t exactly make me a believer in non-title fights, but I won’t act like I wasn’t impressed with lightweight champion Michael Chandler after his performance against Akihiro Gono.

Chandler followed up his brilliant fourth round rear-naked choke over Eddie Alvarez back at Bellator 58 with a quick TKO over Akihiro Gono. After catching Gono early with a straight right, Chandler pounced on a stunned Gono and rained down punches until he earned the stoppage. Michael Chandler improves to 10-0 overall, with six fights ending in the first round.

At the post-fight press conference, Akihiro Gono announced his retirement from MMA. Gono has lost three fights in a row, and his record now stands at 32-18-7. His most recent victory was a unanimous decision over Diego Gonzalez at Sengoku 12 in March 2010. While it’s never easy to watch an icon of the sport retire, it’s even harder to watch him continue to lose. Thanks for the memories, Magic Man.

To put it mildly, I’ve been skeptical about Bellator’s non-title fights in the past. They’ve all been total squash fights, and light-heavyweight champion Christian M’Pumbu actually managed to lose his against Travis Wiuff back at Bellator 55. Last night didn’t exactly make me a believer in non-title fights, but I won’t act like I wasn’t impressed with lightweight champion Michael Chandler after his performance against Akihiro Gono.

Chandler followed up his brilliant fourth round rear-naked choke over Eddie Alvarez back at Bellator 58 with a quick TKO over Akihiro Gono. After catching Gono early with a straight right, Chandler pounced on a stunned Gono and rained down punches until he earned the stoppage. Michael Chandler improves to 10-0 overall, with six fights ending in the first round.

At the post-fight press conference, Akihiro Gono announced his retirement from MMA. Gono has lost three fights in a row, and his record now stands at 32-18-7. His most recent victory was a unanimous decision over Diego Gonzalez at Sengoku 12 in March 2010. While it’s never easy to watch an icon of the sport retire, it’s even harder to watch him continue to lose. Thanks for the memories, Magic Man.


All videos props to IronForgesIron.com

In Welterweight Tournament action, Bryan Baker survived an early salvo from UFC veteran Ben Saunders to pick up a unanimous decision victory. Saunders appeared to have Baker in trouble early, attempting numerous submissions, including a flying triangle and a triangle transitioned into an armbar that appeared to have Baker locked up. However, Baker defended the submission attempts from Saunders well, and found success with his takedowns throughout the rest of the fight.

Surprisingly, not only did Baker earn numerous takedowns throughout the fight, but he also got the better of many of the standup exchanges as well. Saunders managed to find success in the clinch, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to earn the victory. Baker improves to 18-3 overall, and will meet the winner of Karl Amoussou vs. David Rickels in order to determine who gets the next shot at Bellator Welterweight champion Ben Askren.

Also of note, the Ontario, Canada crowd was treated to a victory from Canadian fan-favorite Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford. Ford earned a second round TKO over the always game Luis Santos. After getting rocked early, Ford crumbled Santos with a brutal knee to the body and kept punching until he earned the stoppage. Ford improves to 18-4, with only one victory coming by way of decision.

And oh yeah, a heavyweight bout between Damian Grabowski and Dave Huckaba happened. Grabowski won by unanimous decision. Trust me, that’s all you need to know.

Full Results:

Main Card:

Michael Chandler def. Akihiro Gono via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:56
Bryan Baker def. Ben Saunders via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Ryan Ford def. Luis “Sapo” Santos via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:24
Damian Grabowski def. Dave Huckaba via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card:

Will Romero def. Matt Veal via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:25
David “Bo” Harris def. Nick Kirk via (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cosmo Alexander def. Lorawnt-T Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Nordine Taleb def. Matt MacGrath via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:30
Dom O’Grady def. Nathan Gunn via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:51

Cory MacDonald vs. Brendan Seguin, Ryan Ford vs. Luis Santos Added to May 4 Bellator 67 Card in Ontario

A middleweight bout between Canadian standout Cory MacDonald (12-2) and well-travelled veteran Brendan Seguin (23-17-1) and a welterweight scrap between former TFC champion Ryan Ford (17-4) and WEC veteran Luis Santos (50-7-1) have been added to Bellator’s May 4 Bellator 67 card, set for Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario. CagePotato.com learned of the MacDonald-Seguin pairing and confirmed the rumored Ford-Santos bout today from sources close to both bouts.

A middleweight bout between Canadian standout Cory MacDonald (12-2) and well-travelled veteran Brendan Seguin (23-17-1) and a welterweight scrap between former TFC champion Ryan Ford (17-4) and WEC veteran Luis Santos (50-7-1) have been added to Bellator’s May 4 Bellator 67 card, set for Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario. CagePotato.com learned of the MacDonald-Seguin pairing and confirmed the rumored Ford-Santos bout today from sources close to both bouts.

MacDonald has been relatively inactive the past two years, having only fought (and won) twice, but sources say the reason for his lack of action was a shortage of opponents willing to face him in Canada. The Kingston, Ontario native, who holds a win over UFC vet Edwin Dewees and seemed en route to a win over fellow Canuck Jonathan Goulet until a freak injury forced his corner to throw in the towel after the first round, will log time training for the bout at Tristar in Montreal. He decided to move to middleweight in the hopes of attracting more opposition and he’ll get a formidable opponent in Seguin who has fought a lion’s share of the sport’s toughest fighters.

“The Caucasian Devastation” holds wins over UFC vets Jake Ellenberger, Kyacey Uscola, Rob Kimmons and Goulet. During his 12-year career he also fought Denis Kang, Joe Doerksen, Dean Lister, Joey Villasenor and Martin Kampmann. Seguin hasn’t lost since dropping a decision to Forrest Petz in 2009.

Ford will finally make his Bellator debut on the card after legal and contract issues with his former manager, Mark Pavelich who owns the Maximum Fighting Championship put him at odds with the Chicago-based promotion after the Canadian promoter sent BFC a cease and desist letter claiming that “The Real Deal” was still an MFC fighter. It seems that both sides have settled their differences and are moving forward.

Arguably the biggest win of Ford’s career came against Karo Parisyan last May. Since then he has gone 2-1, including a surprise loss to David Hulett for the Aggression MMA welterweight strap in September.

Santos has the edge in experience over “The Real Deal” in the experience department, however, with 36 more fights. The husband of fellow fighter Carina Damm, “Sapo” won a hard-fought decision over Dan Hornbuckle in the opening round of Bellator’s season 5 tournament, only to be submitted via highlight-reel keylock by Ben Saunders in the second round.

No other bouts have been announced for the card.

Exclusive: Bellator to Return to Casino Rama in Ontario May 4


(Bellator: Now with twice as much maple syrup and back bacon.)

Canadian MMA fans will get a double-dose of Bellator Fighting Championships in back-to-back months this Spring.

CagePotato.com has learned that the Chicago-based promotion has secured May 4 for its second Ontario event of 2012 and that the show will take place at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario. As we announced last week, BFC will also be holding an April 6 event in Windsor.

The May show will be the third held at the native-run casino. Both Bellator 47 and 57 took place at the venue.


(Bellator: Now with twice as much maple syrup and back bacon.)

Canadian MMA fans will get a double-dose of Bellator Fighting Championships in back-to-back months this Spring.

CagePotato.com has learned that the Chicago-based promotion has secured May 4 for its second Ontario event of 2012 and that the show will take place at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario. As we announced last week, BFC will also be holding an April 6 event in Windsor.

The May show will be the third held at the native-run casino. Both Bellator 47 and 57 took place at the venue.

Known for giving local fighters a shot at competing on a bigger stage, it’s likely that Bellator will include several up-and-coming mixed martial artists from the Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding municipalities to the card, which will no doubt feature some of its other contracted Canadian talent like Cory MacDonald, Ryan Ford and Nordine Taleb. The event will be rounded out by match-ups from the season 6 bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight tournaments which get underway March 9 at Bellator 60.

We’ll have more news on the fight card as it becomes available.

Bellator Planning April 6 Event In Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Windsor, Ontario MMA fans will likely only have to wait a few more months for their next live fight fix.

CagePotato.com has learned that Bellator Fighting Championships have penciled in an event for April 6 in Windsor, Ontario and that the event is likely to take place at Caesar’s Windsor Casino, just across the Ambassador bridge from Detroit.

Windsor, Ontario MMA fans will likely only have to wait a few more months for their next live fight fix.

CagePotato.com has learned that Bellator Fighting Championships have penciled in an event for April 6 in Windsor, Ontario and that the event is likely to take place at Caesar’s Windsor Casino, just across the Ambassador bridge from Detroit.

The Chicago-based promotion had originally planned on holding a show on April 27 back at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, north of Toronto, but were unable to secure the date as the commission is already slated to oversee another event  in Belleville, Ontario that night.

Although no bouts have been announced for the card, it’s likely that Bellator will use a number of its contracted fighters from Great Fight North including Ryan Ford, Cory MacDonald and Nordine Taleb. Chris Horodecki is another likely candidate for the card, having fought for Bellator on one of its two other Ontario cards, as is Ali Mokdad, an up-and-coming Windsor-based Lebanon-born lightweight who we have learned is in talks with the Viacom-owned promotion.

The event will be the second one hosted by Caesar’s Windsor. MFC 29 took place at the casino on April 8, 2011 — almost a year to the day of the yet-to-be-named Bellator event.

We’ll have more on the card and the event details as they become available.