Reviewed by Greg Saks.

Bad weather didn’t stop a huge crowd of fight fans from showing up Saturday night at the Jungleplex in Plymouth for another installment of Cage Fighting Xtreme.  CFX 6 “Rumble in the Jungle 2″ featured 16 fights in total with 5 amateur and 11 pro bouts, including a highly anticipated heavyweight main event between Christian Morecraft and Josh Diekman.

The Jungleplex is a sweet venue for MMA with tons of open room for sponsors and vendors to set up shop, and for people to see the fights from all over the floor.   It looks like they are also trying to step up the production in certain areas, like the giant video projection screen that they added and showed highlights on during breaks in the action.  The parking at the Jungleplex is kind of a problem but that’s a minor complaint.

A lot of the fights finished quickly, especially the super heavyweights who always go toe to toe right out of the gate, and surprisingly only one fight ended up going the distance.  Several fighters are starting to make a name for themselves here and CFX has a lot of good matchmaking opportunities coming out of these fights.

On to the fights…

LEE RANDOLPH vs NATE ROBICHAUD (Amateur 3×3 Bantamweight 135)
Blue: Randolph – MMA of Southern Maine
Red: Robichaud – DMA

My bad that I was running late and got into the arena just as this first fight finished.  The recap I got was that they started throwing strikes, and shortly into it Randolph got slammed to the mat maybe hitting his head pretty hard, and tapped out a few seconds later, about a minute and a half into R1.

Nate Robichaud wins by submission due to slam/strikes about 1:30 into round 1.   Sorry if this isn’t totally accurate.

JEFF LYON vs JAMES MALVESTI (Amateur 3×3 Lightweight 155)
Blue: Lyon – Team Dexter
Red: Malvesti – South Shore Sport Fighting
Ref: Dan

Round 1:  Big exchange to open the fight.  Lyon looks for a takedown but nothing there.  Lyon lands a nice punch on Malvesti and drops down again to try and take it to the mat, up against the fence.  Malvesti finally goes down, but immediately is working for a kimura from the bottom.  He’s got the arm locked in place and begins really working it.  Lyon is in pain and grunting.  They roll to the side but Lyon has nowhere to go and has to tap.   Great ground work from Malvesti.

Official result was James Malvesti wins by kimura submission at 1:54 of round 1.

JAY FILLIPINI vs BRAD CONLEY (Amateur 3×3 Welterweight 170)
Blue: Fillipini – CCFA
Red: Conley – Bishops
Ref: Kevin

Round 1:  Conley clinches up, and as they break apart he throws and lands a monster left hook that stuns Fillipini.  With his right hand holding him in place, Conley moves forward continuing to throw again and again with the left.  Fillipini is rocked and stumbling to the side and down to the mat.  Conley all over him and the ref has no choice but to jump in.  Dominating performance from Brad Conley.

Official result was Brad Conley wins by TKO due to strikes at 0:19 of Round 1.

ANDY ROBERTSON vs JP WHITE (Amateur 3×3 Featherweight 145)
Blue: Robertson – MMA of Southern Maine
Red: White – Team Aggression
Ref: Dan

Round 1:  Robertson swings hard but White barrels in for a takedown and right into side control.  Robertson has got an arm around White’s head and is looking to push up the fence and back to his feet.  Momentarily on the feet and White slams them back down.   Side control again for White and then to north/south.  Back to the feet, against the fence, and White begins launching vicious knees to Robertson’s midsection.  They are undefended and really slamming into his side.  Robertson is hurt and turning away.  No single knockout blow, but it’s a good stoppage when the ref jumps in.  The knees in the clinch were brutal.

Official result was JP White wins by TKO due to strikes at 2:49 of Round 1.

DAN FORD vs MATT JOHNSON (Pro 3×5 Welterweight 170)
Blue: Ford – Independent
Red: Johnson – South Shore Sport Fighting
Ref: Gary

Round 1:  Johnson rushes in for a takedown but is stuffed.  He tries again and gets a good takedown into half guard.  Johnson throwing good elbow strikes with his left.  Ford gets back to the feet and they begin throwing bombs back and forth.  Awesome action, maybe Johnson lands the better shots.  Ford gets taken down again, tries to get back up, and is planted again.  Johnson pass to side and throws a good knee to the body.  Ford does a good job escaping again to his feet, and then he attacks with a kind of awkward flying knee which gets him taken down again.   My score:  10-9 Johnson.

Round 2:  They come out of their corners and out of nowhere Ford launches a head kick that lands flush and floors Johnson.  He’s not out but he’s messed up and Ford follows him down with a series of unanswered shots until the ref saves him.

Official result was Dan Ford wins by TKO due to strikes at 0:31 of Round 2.   This high kick was out of nowhere.  Ford didn’t look that comfortable standing in the first, so this was a crazy surprise.  Big win for Dan Ford.

ALEX CAMARAO vs LIONEL YOUNG (Pro 3×5 Middleweight 185)
Blue: Camarao – Snake Pit
Red: Young – Borges MMA
Ref: Dan

Round 1:  Camarao low kick and shoots for a takedown but Young sprawls out.  On the mat Young is looking for a kimura but loses it in a scramble and ends up in Camarao’s guard.  Young inches him over to his own corner so he can hear his coaches.  Camarao pops up to his feet when Young tries to pass guard.  Pressed against the fence and Young gets him down and starts landing good blows.  He gets Camarao’s back and sinks in a fight ending RNC quickly.

Official result was Lionel Young wins by submission due to rear naked choke at 2:43 of Round 1.

MATTHEW McCUSKER vs GREG MENDES (Pro 3×5 Featherweight 145)
Blue: McCusker – ATT
Red: Mendes – Snake Pit

Round 1:  Mendes jab, then low kick, but gets popped right back from McCusker.   McCusker powers him across the cage into the fence and to the mat.  Mendes to his feet.  McCusker launching huge knees in the clinch and Mendes looks like he’s in trouble, but then swings back big time and it’s an awesome exchange.  Mendes takes him down and keeps unloading strikes as now McCusker looks hurt.  Matt turns to his side and Mendes is all over him.  Ref jumps in.

Official result was Greg Mendes wins by TKO due to strikes at 1:22 of Round 1.   Mendes showed heart weathering a big early storm and sticking in there for the win.

Intermission and they bring these two enormous, round super heavyweights into the cage.  They don’t look anything like MMA fighters. They show a video that is seriously about 10 minutes long to hype a fight between these guys for December 19.  All I can say is WTF.

ARTIE MULLEN vs CHRIS BAGGE (Pro 3×5 Super Heavyweight)
Blue: Mullen – MMA of Southern Maine – 276 lbs
Red: Bagge – Bishops – 281 lbs
Ref: Gary

Round 1:  Bagge throws a pretty good combination and then picks up one of Mullen’s legs and gets a good trip takedown.  Mullen goes down hard and Bagge is on top throwing punches as Mullen taps out.

Official result was Chris Bagge wins by submission due to strikes at 0:37 of Round 1.

JOHN DANIELS vs JASON SARBACKER (Pro 3×5 Welterweight 170)
Blue: Daniels – Don Grady’s Academy
Red: Sarbacker – DMA
Ref: Dan

Round 1:  Sarbacker throws and lands a devastating knee as Daniels comes in for a takedown.  Sarbacker throws another and then tosses Daniels to the mat and jumps on top, winging punches as Daniels taps out.   That first knee was crushing.

Official result was Jason Sarbacker wins by submission due to strikes at 0:17 of Round 1.  Impressive win.

ROBBIE ROBERTS vs BRETT OTERI (Pro 3×5 Catchweight)
Blue: Roberts – Brute Force – 180 lbs
Red: Oteri – Wai Kru – 175 lbs
Ref: Kevin

Round 1:  Oteri low kick and then another.  Pushes Roberts against the cage and gets a takedown.  Oteri has him against the fence and is able to set up a number of good strikes.  He’s ripped for 170 and is able to get good power in close distance.  Roberts staying calm is able to throw on a slick armbar attempt from his back.  Might be dangerous but Oteri breaks free.  Roberts has good defense on his back but Oteri is just too powerful and starts wearing him down, sneaking in elbows and other shots that start to add up.  Roberts grabs a wrist and goes for a kimura but nothing there.  Oteri relentless, and gets forward to half guard, and throws several hard punches to the body.   I looked down for a second and missed what must have been a very fast arm triangle that forces Roberts to tap.

Official result was Brett Oteri wins by submission due to an arm triangle choke (I think) at 4:03 of Round 1.   Oteri has won a few in a row and is looking good.

JIMMY SULLIVAN vs SHAWN GALANO (Pro 3×5 Super Heavyweight)
Blue: Sullivan – Independent – 301 lbs
Red: Galano – Eclectic – 232 lbs
Ref: Gary

Sullivan is a late replacement for Mike Dexter.  Courageous to step up and face Galano but this looks like it could be rough.

Round 1:  Galano moves right in, throws a bomb that lands, and Sullivan stumbles over to his side.  Galano all over him onto his back throwing punches to the sides of the head.  Ref has to jump in.

Official result was Shawn Galano wins by TKO due to strikes at 0:09 of Round 1.

GLENN REAVES vs STEVE DUNN (Amateur 3×3 Middleweight 185)
Blue: Reaves – MMA of Southern Maine
Red: Dunn – Wai Kru
Ref: Kevin

Dunn is coming off of a tough loss at the last CFX show, but it looks like there are still hundreds of people in the audience who are still pumped and there for Dunn and nothing else.  He definitely draws a crowd.

Round 1:  Dunn shoots for a takedown and gets side control.  He shifts around and into north south position and latches on a choke.   Reaves is fighting it off, but Dunn adjusts and tightens it and gives him no choice but to tap.

Official result was Steve Dunn wins by submission due to a north/south choke at 0:46 of Round 1.  Good comeback win where he got to show off his submission game.

CHRIS CAPE vs TODD CHATTELLE (Pro 3×5 Middleweight 185)
Blue: Cape – Sityodtong
Red: Chattelle – Tri Force
Ref: Gary

Both guys appear in top shape and this one looks like it could be good.

Round 1:  They both come out and stalk each other cautiously.  Chattelle throws a low kick that Cape is able to grab ahold of and gets a slick trip takedown.   Chattelle manages to get back to his feet.  Cape with a very effective counter left and series of jabs.  Cape is light on his feet and moves really well.  Cape changes levels for a takedown, quickly takes the back, and as Chattelle tries to stand back up, Cape sinks in a fight-ending RNC.

Official result was Chris Cape wins by submission due to a rear naked choke at 2:00 of Round 1.  Cape looked very good.

MIKE MULLIGAN vs ERIC FOLEY (Pro 3×5 Super Heavyweight)
Blue: Mulligan – CCFA
Red: Foley – South Shore Sport Fighting
Ref: Dan

Round 1:  Mulligan throws a kick to the midsection.  Another kick but Foley answers with a takedown to side control.  He lands some light punches.  Back up to the feet, and now they start to brawl like the crowd wants to see.  Hard to tell who gets the better of it but Mulligan is looking more winded of the two.  Foley gets on top and is dominating position but not able to land any really effective strikes.  My score:  10-9 Foley.

Round 2:  They come out swinging and it’s pretty wild and entertaining.  Mulligan now landing the better blows so Foley switches and looks for a takedown.  Mulligan sprawls and now Foley looks gassed.  Up against the fence, Mulligan now landing punches more freely and the ref moves in to call it.

Official result was Mike Mulligan wins by TKO due to strikes at about 2 minutes of Round 2.

RIGO DOMINNICCI vs JUSTIN HAMMERSTROM (Pro 3×5 Welterweight 170)
Blue: Dominnicci – Tri Force
Red: Hammerstrom – Team Burgess
Ref: Gary

Round 1:  Rigo gets a trip takedown into Justin’s guard.  Slow pace to start.  Justin showing rubber guard but can’t get much going from his back.  Rigo backs out and stands up.  Justin shoots in but gets caught in a guillotine attempt that might be serious but he is able to shake off after a few seconds.  Fall to the mat and Justin has Rigo’s back with one hook in.  He’s looking to maybe come around for an armbar but he’s high up on the back and slipping off.  Rigo is out and now in side control on top of Justin.  Justin pushes off the cage and Rigo decides to stand.  Big exchange on the feet to finish a good first round.  My score:  10-9 Rigo but it’s a toss-up.

Round 2:  They come out swinging and both land good ones.  Rigo gets rocked and clinches up to recover, down to the mat into Justin’s half-guard.  Big elbow from Rigo.  Back to the feet, great standing exchanges.  Justin connects and pushes Rigo against the fence.  Rigo lands and wobbles Justin who end up turtled with Rigo over him.  Rigo again prefers to stand and lands a big overhand right, but Justin is hanging in there.  Rigo lands a knee and some good GnP towards the end of the round.  In the last few seconds they stand and Rigo lands a strong low kick.  10-9 Rigo, this time a decisive round.

Round 3:  Justin throws and lands a good kick to the body.  Rigo lands with a huge overhand right and Justin falls to his back hurt but still with it.  Rigo in his guard but again stands up where he is doing better.  Another big punch from Rigo and he seems to be in full control of the fight now.  Into Justin’s half guard and Rigo throwing some strikes when he gets openings.  A few good hard elbows get in.  Justin gets mounted now and the round ends with Rigo on top dominating.   My score:  10-9 Rigo.

Official result was Rigo Dominnicci wins by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.  The only fight that went to decision and it was probably fight of the night with a lot of heart from Justin as Rigo continued to land the better punches.

CHRISTIAN MORECRAFT vs JOSH DIEKMAN (Pro 3×5 Heavyweight)
Blue: Morecraft – Dungeon – 263 lbs
Red: Diekman – Wai Kru – 243 lbs
Ref: Kevin

I’ve never seen Morecraft fight before, but I caught a video online of him against Eric Foley from November 2008.  Stepping into the cage tonight he looks great.  Leaner and stronger looking than that video from a year ago and is an imposing looking heavyweight.

Round 1:  They bring it right from the opening bell.  Diekman nice body shot.  Morecraft gets a thai clinch and launches a solid knee to the head.  Morecraft is pretty agile and shows good boxing skills.  To the mat and Morecraft takes the back.  Diekman trying to stand and Morecraft wraps an arm around the neck and pulls him back down for a tight RNC.  Diekman forced to tap.

Official result was Christian Morecraft wins by submission due to a rear naked choke at 0:56 of Round 1.   From the 56 seconds I saw, Morecraft looks like the real deal, folks.

NEXT SHOW:

CFX will be back December 19th at the M-Plex in Mansfield for “Mayhem in Mansfield 2.”