Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge (UCFC): Rumble on the Rivers Results & Recap
> Full UCFC results
Pittsburgh, PA - The very first sanctioned mixed martial arts event in the “Keystone State” went down on Saturday, June 27th from Mellon Arena in downtown Pittsburgh. The event, promoted by Still Standing Productions, LLC, was headlined with a main event featuring former UFC lightweight Rich Clementi against former WEC fighter Kyle Jensen.
Although the injury-shortened main event didn’t live up to expectations, the event as a whole was well organized and full of entertaining bouts. In all, nine bouts were contested and only three bouts had to be decided by ringside judges. The card was full of ground specialists, and they didn’t disappoint, with five of the fights being stopped courtesy of a submission. Only one of the nine bouts was halted by way of technical knockout.
Many MMA superstars were in attendance for the debut of MMA in Pennsylvania, stars such as former MLB-All Star Sean Casey, and UFC fighters Brock Larson and Cole Miller. Tito Ortiz was cageside, as advertised, doing his part in promoting the sport of MMA. He didn’t stop there, when given the microphone after the preliminary fights were completed; “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” explained that it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will sign with Strikeforce sometime this summer. He also conveyed the pleasure that he will take in fighting Renato “Babalu” Sobral for his promotional debut, even going as far as saying, “Babalu will be known as Bab-a-who after I am done with him.” Before leaving the stage Ortiz also relayed to the fans his willingness to fight Fedor Emelianenko in a 210-pound catch-weight bout in the near future.
Here is a detailed look at some of the bouts:
Shawn Jordan vs. Carlton Haslerig
The 43-year old former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro-Bowl Offensive Guard, Carlton Haslerig wasn’t able to ride the momentum given to him from the support of the local fans and was upended by visiting Shawn Jordan.
Haslerig, who is from nearby Johnstown, PA, looked slow and fatigued from the initial bell. Jordan, who also is a former football player (LSU), quickly shrugged off an early takedown from the former NCAA Division 1 and 2 Champion then transitioned to take the back of his opponent. From that point it didn’t take Jordan long to pound out Haslerig, using about twenty unanswered punches before the referee decided to stop the action.
Jordan, who fights out of Rich Clementi’s Gladiators Academy, improved his record to 3-0 with the TKO win. Haslerig, a Cold Steel MMA fighter, drops his record to 3-2 by suffering his first career TKO loss.
David Baggett vs. Phil Davis
Another local product was in action with Harrisburg, PA - Phil Davis came through for the fans. The former 4-time All-American and 2008 National Champion wrestler at Penn State easily cruised to a victory against David “Baggs” Baggett.
Baggett didn’t get a chance to showcase his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, instead was overwhelmed from the get-go. Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis kept his jab in Baggett’s face to start the fight. He then took “Baggs” to the mat where he immediately worked his ground and pound skills while pinning his opponent up against the cage fence. It wasn’t long before Davis used his transitions to take the back of Baggett, loosen him up with elbows then sink in the fight-ending rear naked choke midway through the 1 st round.
Davis continued his undefeated run, now at 4-0, by stopping his third straight opponent - all within the last year. David Baggett, who trains at The Jungle MMA and Fitness in Orlando, Florida, has dropped his record to 5-3.
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Paul Bradley vs. Leonardo Pecanha
Paul Bradley may have sealed up his immediate future with a very close decision victory against a credible opponent in Leonardo Pecanha.
Bradley, who is rumored to be advancing to one of the major organizations, didn’t start off in convincing fashion. Pecanha was the busier of the two welterweights as it was he who got the better of the striking and takedowns in the 1st round. The 2nd round could have gone to either fighter, as both fighters slowed down and were not as active as they were in the 1st round. The only difference between the two fighters in the middle round was the well-executed head kick delivered by Pecanha. The 3rd and final round was all Bradley, using his two takedowns to set up his devastating ground game.
“The Gentleman” Paul Bradley (11-1), who splits training at Minnesota MMA and Team Lionheart in Pennsylvania, notches his 5th career decision win. Leonardo Pecanha, who looked like a top-level fighter at times, will have to start a new streak after having his two-fight win streak stop. All three judges announced a 29-28 decision in favor of Bradley.
JC Pennington vs. Micah Miller
Both JC Pennington and Micah Miller came out with aggressive approaches, but it was Miller who capitalized first on a dominant position, putting away the former Pro Elite veteran with a rear naked choke.
Micah Miller, an American Top Team member, used his precise striking to take an early advantage over a game Pennington during the 1 st round. Pennington was able to answer with some jabs and solid hook shots of his own but his strikes did very little damage. The 2 nd round was much of the same, as Miller worked for the first 30-seconds of the round to take Pennington to the canvas. While on the mat Miller used his quick hands to deliver some heavy punches from top position. As Pennington moved to defend the punches, Miller quickly moved in to take his opponents’ back. Once he gained the back position, he ended the fight with a deep rear naked choke.
Micah Miller, who was cornered by UFC lightweight and fellow ATT member Cole Miller, improved to 12-3 with his second consecutive win. Pennington (19-7-1) is now 2-2 over the last four fights while participating in four different organizations.
Rich Clementi vs. Kyle Jensen
The main event didn’t live up to the lofty expectations with the debut of the UCFC. “No Love” Clementi was attempting to make it two wins in a row after being released by the UFC upon losing two straight fights. Jensen was trying to keep his over two year undefeated streak alive.
The excitement began immediately after the fighters were announced as Clementi quickly stalked Jensen, looking for the takedown. He succeeded in slamming Jensen to the canvas but also jarred his clavicle in the process. Clementi knew something was wrong, right away calling for the referee. The referee didn’t immediately hear him and the fight continued until Jensen showed class and directed the referee towards the injured Clementi. Clementi verbally submitted less than one minute into the fight.
Jensen (39-10-2), who was being cornered by another UFC lightweight, Brock Larson, regretted winning in that fashion but quickly pointed out that he was more than happy to accept the victory. He hasn’t lost in his last ten fights, going 9-0-1 over the last two years. The unfortunate Clementi (33-15-1) is now 1-1 since his February 2009 release by the UFC. Although it will still go down as a loss, he still remains one of the top American lightweights that are not signed with a large organization.
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
UCFC Results:
- Brock Kerry over Dave Sachs – 1st round submission
- James Brasco over Matt Brown – Unanimous Decision
- Shawn Jordan over Carlton Haslerig – 1st round TKO
- Phil Davis over David Baggett – 1st round submission
- Angela Magana over Meghan Wright – 1st round submission
- Jason Trzewieczynski over Joe DeMore – Unanimous Decision
- Paul Bradley over Leonardo Pecanha – Unanimous Decision
- Micah Miller over JC Pennington – 1st round submission
- Kyle Jensen over Rich Clementi – 1st round TKO (injury)