I missed the night of action because of family obligations, but I hear great things about this edition of the ShoXC challenger series. Then again, the IFL put on some fantastic shows with top-tier fighters as well. Offering quality MMA is clearly not the only ingredient in the recipe for success. From a press release in my inbox:
In an inspired and impressive performance, once-beaten light heavyweight Jared Hamman (11-1) got his revenge against Po’ai Suganuma (9-2), winning by 2:34, first-round TKO in a fast-paced, exciting main event on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series Friday on SHOWTIME at the Table Mountain Casino.
The crowd-pleasing mixed martial arts fight card, presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s live fight division, EliteXC, aired on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT. It will be replayed on SHO 2 this Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT and will be available On Demand from Monday, Aug. 18-Sept. 14.
In other SHOWTIME fights: talented lightweight contender Fabricio “Morango” Camoes (11-4) of San Diego submitted (rear naked choke) Sammy Morgan (19-11) of St. Paul, Minn., at 0:47 of the opening round; comebacking Cyrille “The Snake” Diabate (15-6-1) of Rueil-Malmaison, France, scored a dominant unanimous decision over game but outgunned Jaime Fletcher (9-4) of San Bernardino, Calif., at 205 pounds; Rosi Sexton (9-1) of Manchester, England, won an entertaining, hard-fought split decision over Debi Purcell (4-2) of Laguna Hills, Calif., in a women’s match at 140 pounds, and Ray Lizama (6-5) of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., registered an upset 2:15, second-round TKO (strikes) over King of the Cage middleweight champion Keith Berry (7-3) of Las Vegas in a non-title affair.
In non-televised bouts: Katrina Alendale (1-2) of San Francisco registered a hard-fought three-round unanimous decision (30-27 twice and 29-28) over Melanie La’Croix (1-1) of Redondo Beach, Calif., in a women’s 140-pound fight; in a battle of unbeatens at 150 pounds, Roberto Vargas (3-0) of San Bernardino took a three-round split decision (29-28 twice and 28-29) over Ralph Lopez (3-1) of Fresno, Calif. at 150 pounds; Jesse Brock (7-3) of Sacramento won a unanimous decision (30-28, 29-27, 29-28) over Josh Rave (8-5) of Fresno at 140; Lucas Gumaza (3-0) of Stockton, Calif., scored a split three-round decision (30-27 twice and 28-29) over late substitute Kenny “The Poet’’ Johnson (1-1) of Redondo Beach, at 170 pounds; and David “Tarzan’’ Douglas (5-1) of Antioch, Calif., scored a 1:12, first-round TKO (corner stoppage) over William Jacobson (0-2) of Los Angeles at 155 pounds.
More pictures after the jump.
Cyrille vs. Fletcher
Camoes vs. Morgan
Hamman vs. Suganuma
Lizama vs. Berry
Sexton vs. Purcell
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