The Maximum Fighting Championship held an event this last weekend and it featured several names familiar to mixed martial arts fans. Anthony Hamilton, the MFC’s reigning heavyweight champion defended his title against former Ultimate Fighter contestant (he of the infamous nickname) Darrill Schoonover. Another TUF vet, Gilbert Smith faced off against Jason South. For what seems like the umpteenth time, the MFC failed to crown a lightweight champion due to weight problems. Tom Gallichio came in .2 lbs over against Kurt Southern, and the Athletic commission ruled that he would have no extra time to make weight, nullifying the bouts title status. MFC announced that they would hold a new title fight on May 9th.
Now, let’s get down to the gifs (thanks to Zombie Prophet)
Heavyweight Title Fight: Anthony Hamilton def. Darrill Schoonover via UD (49-46, 49-46 50-45)
This was mostly a dull, grinding affair, with Hamilton getting takedowns, but not doing a whole lot with them. Schoonover looked to be the better fighter on his feet, but unable to keep the fight standing. There was a little bit of chippy behavior as the fighters tumbled out of the ring in the first on a failed takedown attempt, and Schoonover threw a punch after the bell at the end of the third. Hamilton apologized to fans for the lackluster performance after the fight.
Schoonover looking for the standup:
Schoonover’s punch after the bell:
Schoonover again looking for ref assistance:
Lightweight Bout: Tom Gallicchio def. Kurt Southern via Sub (RNC) at 4:31 of Round 2
As I said above, this was supposed to be a lightweight title fight, but the stars didn’t align quite right for Gallicchio’s weight cut so he’ll have to fight again for the title in May. It’s too bad for him because he mounted a nice comeback on Southern to take this fight. After getting dropped in the first he rallied back in the second as Southern faded and locked in a nice submission win.
Gallicchio getting dropped of a caught kick in round 1:
The RNC finish:
Middleweight Bout: Gilbert Smith def. Jason South via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fans of the Ultimate fighter will remember Gilbert Smith from Season 17. He had one UFC fight, losing a fairly unimpressive fight by Submission to Bubba McDaniel. He’s rattled off three straight since that loss including this fairly one-sided grappling showcase against Jason South. After a back and forth first round, Smith had a dominant second on top. In the third he dropped South with a big hook and spent the remainder of the round on top. South did come close to a late submission, but couldn’t lock it in.
The knockdown:
South’s late sub attempt:
And from another angle:
Welterweight Bout: Marcus Edwards def. Sean Powers via Sub (RNC) at 4:50 of Round 1
Edwards came out with a high offense, takedown heavy game and overwhelmed Powers for the early sub.
Edwards putting the hurt on Powers:
The finish:
Light Heavyweight Bout: Sean O’Connell def. Markhaile Wedderburn via Sub (RNC) at 1:48 of Round 1
O’Connell took advantage of a failed takedown attempt early to get Wedderburn out of the ring in a hurry with the choke.
Lightweight Bout: Andrew McInnes def. Dan Ring by Sub (RNC) at 2:01 of Round 2
starting the string of rear naked choke subs for the evening, Andrew McInnes got his 4th straight submission victory with a second round tap from Dan Ring. Ring kept the fight competative early defending takedown attempts and making his way back to his feet when he did end up on the ground. But, McInnes landed a hard knee in the second that drove Ring into the clinch and allowed McInnes to cinch up the sub on the ground.
Ring with a nice upkick from his back in round 1:
McInnes lands a hard knee which drives the finish in round 2:
The finish:
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