Strikeforce Challengers III Results - September 25 Strikeforce Challengers 3 Results

The third edition of the Strikeforce Challengers Series took place on September 25, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Showtime. American military hero Tim Kennedy, who previously won at Strikeforce Challengers 2, faced newcomer Zak Cummings in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers 3. Find the official Strikeforce Challengers 3 results as well as our recap of the event and all of the historic Strikeforce Challengers results here at Pro Fighting Fans, the fans' choice for the best MMA news.

In front of the Tulsa, Oklahoma crowd at the Spirit Bank Events Center and appearing on his second straight Strikeforce: Challengers card, army special forces veteran, Tim Kennedy was impressive dominating an overmatched Zak Cummings with a 2 nd round submission victory. Also, impressive stoppages by Tyron Woodley and Daniel Cormier prove that the Challenger series is delivering on its promise to develop young talent. Rey Sefo was also awarded his second MMA victory and Thomas Longacre looked sharp with his three round fast-paced decision winning attack.

Daniel Cormier vs. Gary Frazier – Heavyweight Bout

Two-time Olympic wrestler, Daniel Cormier (1-0) showed poise beyond his MMA years by controlling the pace of the bout then finishing fellow rookie, Gary Frazier (0-1) via TKO at the 3:39 mark of the 2 nd round.

Frazier, an Oklahoma native, struggled with the technical points of the sport, turning his back and running away from Cormier on several occasions. Cormier, using his wrestling base, took the fight to the floor early and often where he pounded on the body of Frazier for the majority of two rounds. Frazier did manage to get back to his feet, throwing desperate punches in hopes of clipping Cormier. Cormier managed to evade the haymakers, instead consistently stuffing his jab in Frazier’s face. One final Cormier takedown was capped when Frazier gave up his back, inviting Cormier to pound on the side of his head until the referee decided to stop the bout.

While both fighters demonstrated potential in their rookie debuts, Cormier used his solid wrestling and surprisingly effective striking on his way to a predictable TKO stoppage. Frazier, who worked with UFC veteran Matt Grice with his striking in his debut, will have to go back to the drawing board in search of his first career victory.

Thomas Longacre vs. Travis Calanoc – Catchweight Bout (147 lbs)

In what was quite possibly the fight of the night, kickboxer Thomas Longacre (6-0) used his size and reach in order to strike his way to a unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten, Travis Calanoc (4-1).

“Thunderkick” put all of his skills on display, keeping a very fast pace for three rounds and consistently mixing in right hooks, jabs and uppercuts with effective low and head kicks. When the fight temporarily hit the mat, Longacre wouldn’t hesitate to return to his feet where he was dominating with striking. Calanoc, a Tulsa resident, shook off his share of strikes and for a short period of time took control with knees to the body of Longacre midway through the 2 nd round. The “Dark Knight”, Travis Calanoc, almost was able to finish the fight late in the 3 rd round by momentarily locking in an armbar. Longacre outlasted the submission attempt to win all three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Longacre, an active fighter for roughly a year now, puts his name on the Strikeforce map with his impressive three-round performance and sixth career victory. Calanoc drops his first bout, after winning four consecutive to start his career. Both fighters have boosted their stock and should get another opportunity for the organization.

Tyron Woodley vs. Zach Light – Welterweight Bout

Rising prospect, Tyron “T-wood” Woodley (4-0) dominated an improved, Zach Light (6-9), using solid striking and big slams before finally converting on an arm triangle choke 3:38 into the 2 nd round.

After keeping Team Punishment’s Zach Light honest with his striking, “T-Wood” slammed him to the mat then moving him against the fence and eventually working his way to full mount. From full mount, Woodley tried to loosen up his opponent with hard right hands in hopes of setting up a submission. Light survived a tight arm triangle choke late in the first round then again early in the 2 nd, however on the third attempt, he was forced to tap out or go out.

Woodley, who trained in Florida with American Top Team, won his first bout since a June fight on the Lawler vs. Shields undercard. Light, the “Lisbon Outlaw,” was handed his fourth straight defeat, although he did demonstrate improvement and all around toughness.

Ray Sefo vs. Kevin Jordan – Heavyweight Bout

Former UFC heavyweight, Kevin Jordan (11-8) all but finished K-1 legend, Ray “Sugarfoot” Sefo (2-0) late in the 1 st round but after suffering a knee injury, Jordan had to verbal submit, giving Sefo the victory 24 seconds into the 2 nd round.

Jordan made no secret as to what he was trying to do to Sefo, immediately attempting a takedown. Sefo alertly reversed the submission attempt, only to demonstrate his lack of ground skills by getting reversed himself and landing in bottom position. From there, Jordan used his ground and pound, moving to full mount where he was unable to finish Sefo with an armbar attempt. The 2 nd round began with Jordan going for a takedown and awkwardly landing on his knee. Trying to get to his feet, the pain was too much, causing Jordan to verbally submit mere seconds into the round.

With the loss, the 38 year-old Jordan has now dropped three of his last four bouts, and in combination with the injury, puts his MMA future in question. Sefo, who trains at Xtreme Couture, notches his first MMA victory since July 2005 when he defeated Min Soo Kim. Sefo, also 38, will need considerable work on his ground game if he wants to make a serious run in MMA.

Tim Kennedy vs. Zak Cummings – Middleweight Bout

Tim Kennedy (11-2) continued his rise in the Strikeforce middleweight division, setting up a possible bout with the winner of the Title bout between Jake Shields and Jason Miller by dominating previously unbeaten Zak Cummings (10-1).

Kennedy violently slammed Cummings to the ground where he pressured the Springfield, Missouri native with his ground and pound attack. Kennedy spent over four minutes of the 1 st round switching from side mount to half guard delivering hammer fists and elbows to the face and body of Cummings. The 2 nd round action started slowly until Kennedy tried to lock in a standing guillotine choke. The choke seemed ineffective until Cummings went to the ground, where Kennedy transitioned into a North/South choke that spelled the end of Cummings.

Kennedy has now won three consecutive bouts, submitting his two most recent opponents in the 2 nd round. His stock continues to rise, so far that he is being mentioned as a possible title contender. Cummings, who had replaced an injured Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, is stopped for the first time in his career.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer

Main Strikeforce Challengers 3 September 25 Bouts:

• Tim Kennedy defeats Zak Cummings via Submission (North-South Choke) - Round 2 @ 2:43

• Ray Sefo defeats Kevin Jordan via Submission (Verbal Tapout - Knee Injury) - Round 2 @ 0:24

• Tyron Woodley defeats Zach Light via Submission (Armbar) - Round 2 @ 3:38

• Thomas Longacre defeats Travis Calanoc by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Daniel Cormier defeats Gary Frazier by TKO (Strikes) - Round 2 @ 3:39

Preliminary Strikeforce Challengers III Bouts:

• Jeri Sitzes defeats Lacey "The Ladie" Schuckman by TKO (Strikes) - Round 3 @ 2:18

• Paul Bradley defeats Levi "The Marine" Avera by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Trey Houston defeats Brandon Gaines via submission (Arm Triangle Choke) - Round 2 @ 1:28

• Kenny Giddens defeats John Carson via Submission (D'arce choke) - Round 2 @ 4:15

• Josh Pulsifer defeats Nick Gibbons via Submission (D'arce Choke) - Round 1 @ 1:05

• Dillon Smith defeats Lemont Davis via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 1 @ 1:15