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MFC 23 Fight Results

MFC 23: Unstoppable took place on Friday, December 4 at the River Cree Resort and Casino just outside Edmonton, Alberta, and was aired live throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico on HDNet Fights. Check out the complete MFC 23 results and our fight recaps for each fight listed below.

Joe Christopher vs. Jesse Juarez

Bodyshop Fitness fighter, Jesse Juarez (15-4-1) controlled this main card welterweight bout in every aspect on his way to a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27 on all three scorecards against Dallas, Texas submission technician, Joe Christopher (9-3).

Juarez controlled the fight early, getting his opponent to the mat where he worked his ground and pound from mainly top and side control position. As the fight grew older, Christopher tried to catch his wrestling-specialist opponent in a guillotine choke until Juarez slammed him back to the ground. The third round took a slow pace from the bell as both fighters looked very tired. Christopher unsuccessfully tried to end the fight with several submissions and Juarez continued to land strikes from top position, erasing any doubt as to who the winner would be.

Juarez, a former Strikeforce and Bellator FC fighter who was making his MFC debut, has now been victorious in six consecutive bouts dating back to his last loss in September 2008. Christopher, who won his MFC debut in October, loses for the first time since March. He had won three consecutive bouts, all via submissions.

Marvin Eastman vs. Dwayne Lewis

With only two seconds remaining in the opening round, Alberta, Canada native, Dwayne Lewis (10-4) dropped Marvin “Beastman” Eastman (17-12) with an uppercut sending the former UFC fighter crashing to the ground and handing Lewis the 1st round TKO victory.

Eastman was competitive throughout the 1st round, landing several unanswered body shots from top position. After the action slowed, the referee reset the fighters in the center, and this time it was Lewis the aggressor, landing a variety of strikes from bottom position. With a little less than two minutes remaining the referee stood both fighters, where Lewis pushed the action into a corner. As the action continued, Eastman grabbed a thai-clinch but left his head unprotected and Lewis caught Eastman with a perfectly timed uppercut that led to the end of the fight.

Lewis, an eight-time MFC veteran, has won six straight bouts, all six coming by 1st round stoppages. He is now 4-4 in MFC action, and after starting 1-4, has now won three consecutive bouts within the organization. The 40-year old Eastman is struggling, losing three straight fights and four of five since being released from his UFC contract in the summer of 2008.

Art Santore vs. Bryan Baker

Former All-American Junior College wrestler, Bryan Baker (12-1) looked impressive on his way through his three-round unanimous decision victory over Team Quest’s Art Santore (18-7), who proved to be a formidable opponent. It happened to be Baker’s third straight victory over a fighter from the Temecula-based fight camp.

Baker gained the early advantage after dropping Santore with a hard left hook, and after Santore regained his composure, wrapped up the round with a late round takedown. Santore, sporting a bloody cut below his left eye, came out in the 2nd frame swinging and gaining some momentum with crisp combinations. The final round featured a couple of wild exchanges by both fighters but was awarded to Baker, who connected with several elbows and punches from side control.

Baker has won five straight fights, two of which have been inside the MFC ring. He is quickly climbing towards a MFC middleweight title opportunity. Santore has his four-fight winning streak stopped in his MFC debut.

Ryan Jimmo vs. Emanual Newton

Maximum Fighting Championship veteran Ryan Jimmo comes out of his main card bout with Emanual Newton with a hard-fought unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.

The 1st round was controlled on the feet by Jimmo, who pressed Newton up against the ropes and into the corner for much of the round. Newton, however did convert on two important takedowns although it didn’t seem to affect the scoring. The 2nd round was a lot like the previous round with Jimmo and Newton taking turns with position and pressing each other into the ring corners. Jimmo wrapped up the final round after tripping Newton to the floor to earn a takedown. A very even round was seemingly decided in the last 10 seconds after Jimmo connected with a flurry of punches.

Jimmo has now won 12 consecutive fights after losing in his 2007 pro debut. He is 6-1 in the MFC ring, winning three straight decisions. Newton has hit a bad stretch of luck, losing three in a row, two in the MFC organization.

Jason MacDonald vs. Solomon Hutcherson – Co-Main Event

Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald (22-13) squeezed out a close but controversial split decision victory over TUF 3 fighter, Solomon Hutcherson (11-6) that was first ruled a draw. After both fighters had left the ring, the scores were corrected and announced.

The action was slow but seemed to be dominated by the former UFC welterweight gatekeeper. MacDonald didn’t spend too much time on his feet, instead preferred to take the fight to the ground, almost finishing it a couple of times in each the second and third rounds with a rear naked choke. Hutcherson landed his share of strikes, however he had very little power behind them, spending much of his energy defending against MacDonald submission attempts.

With the victory, Jason MacDonald stops his three-fight losing streak that included losses in two UFC bouts. The decision victory was only the second of his career out of thirty-five career fights. Hutcherson loses for the second time in his last three fights. He is 1-1 inside the MFC ring.

Thales Leites vs. Dean Lister - MFC 23 Main Event

Former UFC number one contender, Thales Leites earned a lopsided unanimous decision victory over American, Dean Lister, in the main event of the MFC 23 “Unstoppable” card.

Both fighters spent much of the bout on the ground grappling for position. In the little time that the fight was in the standing position, Leites controlled the pace with several low leg kicks. As quickly as he could, however Lister would choose to take the fight to the ground where he spent the majority of the fight trying to work his jiu-jitsu. He had little success, as Leites was the better grappler on this particular night as well.

Leites has his first MMA victory in his last three fights, including losing back-to-back UFC fights that led to his departure. Lister, a Throwdown Elite fighter, has lost back-to-back bouts for the first time since 2003. He is 2-3 over his last 5 bouts.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Main MFC 23 Results:

• Thales Leites defeats Dean Lister by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald defeats Solomon Hutcherson by Split Decision (originally ruled a Split Draw - 28-28, 29-28, 28-29)

• Ryan Jimmo defeats Emanuel Newton by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

• BryanBaker defeats Art Santore by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

• Dwayne Lewis defeats Marvin Eastman by KO (Punch) - Round 1 @ 4:58

• Jesse Juarez defeats Joe Christopher by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary MFC 23 Fight Results:

• Nick Penner defeats Ryan Fortin via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 2 @ 3:31

• Ryan Machan defeats “Rajin” Kajan Johnson via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 1 @ 3:30

• Billy Hua defeats Kenny Hamilton by TKO (Punches) - Round 2 @ 0:20