In what turned out to be more of a boxing match then an MMA bout,Nick Diaz got revenge on the last man to beat him while retaining the Strikeforce Welterweight title over KJ Noons in a grudge rematch at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
Both guys were cut around their right eye’s in round one as the punches were landing with authority with each guy taking turns landing heavy blows. Diaz would mix in an occasion kick and each guy mocked each other. Diaz was outlanded but he landed the flashier punches in what was a intense atmosphere in the arena.
Noons said that he was beaten fair and square but with each guy winning a match there is already talks of a rubber match.
“I knew I won the decision but I’m a little disappointed I didn’t finish him in the first round,’’ said Diaz, a Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who only attempted a handful of takedowns.. “I’m a little surprised he hung in like he did because he took a lot of punishment. But he has a good chin.’’
“I was worried about the cut, but my corner told me it wasn’t a big deal,’’ he said. “I am not opposed to a third fight down the road if Noons wins a few fights. Whatever the fans want. Anything is possible.’’
Noons took the tough setback with class. “Honestly, he beat me fair and square. But I landed more punches than him. I out-struck him. Even though I got a little tired at the very end, I kept pushing all the way. I know I was getting to him. If they want a third fight, you know I’ll go for it.’’
Diaz, 169 1/2 lbs of Stockton, CA won by scores of 49-46; 49-47 and 48-47 to go to 23-1-1. Noons, 169 lbs of San Diego, California is now 9-2.
Josh Thomsan fought back from the brink of submission to score a three round unanimous decision over JZ Calvalcante in a Lightweight bout.
Calvalcante almost had the fight over in the first round as he had Thomson in a guillotine head lock for approximately two minuets but he was able to turn the tables in the last seconds of the round. Thomson took the final two rounds and he even played to the cameras while he had Calvalcante in a triangle.
“I probably could have fought much harder but JZ is a very dangerous guy and one of the best in the world and it was obviously very important for me to win so I played it a little safe,’’ Thomson said. “I felt this might go the distance but no way I won that fight, 30-27. He got me a few times, but I hurt more from his two headbutts (that required stitches).’’
Scores were 3-27; 29-28; 29-28 for Thomson who is now 18-3-1. Calvalcante is 15-4-1.
Marloes Coenen won the Ladies Welterweight championship with a stunning submission victory over previously undefeated champion Sarah Kaufamn.
Kaufman had the upper hand over first two plus rounds as she smothered the taller Coenen blows and backed up Coenen. With Coenen down on her back, she went for an armbar with her legs and locked it in successfully and Kaufman tapped out at 1:59 of round three.
“Like I said before, winning the world title can be a life-changing thing for me,’’ said Coenen, whose first defense is slated to be against Miesha Tate, who won a four-woman, one-night 135-pound elimination tournament earlier this year on STRIKEFORCE Challengers on SHOWTIME.
“Miesha won the tournament, she’s a great grappler and obviously very good,’’ Coenen said. “I will definitely have to stand with her. For tonight’s fight, I worked very hard. This is an unbelievable feeling.’’
A disappointed Kaufman took the defeat in stride but is hopeful of a rematch. “This kind of thing happens,’’ she said. “I made a mistake and Marloes capitalized. Up until then, I was fine and felt I was hurting her. She never hurt me. If I have to get back in line and win a fight or two to get a rematch, that’s what I’ll do. I’d love to fight her again.’’
Coenen, 134 lbs of Amsterdam, Netherlands is now 18-4 with thirteen submissions. Kaufamn, 134 1/2 lbs of Victoria, British Colombia is 12-1.
Tyron Woodley made short work of Andre Galvo by scoring a first round stoppage in a scheduled three round Welterweight bout.
Woodley hurt Galvo a handful of times with hard rights and a kicks. Woodley landed a big right hand and pounced on Galvo and before he was able to inflict more damage on a prone Galvo referee Josh Rosenthal stopped the bout at 1:48 of round one.
“I feel awesome,’’ said 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Woodley, a two-time All-American NCAA wrestler for the University of Missouri who was making his first start on the Saturday championship series after fighting three times on STRIKEFORCE Challengers. “I knew I hurt him but wasn’t sure if he was faking or not so I had to be patient.
“Strikeforce Challengers prepared me for this, and it is a tremendous win. But I really expected it to go a lot longer.’’
Woodley, 170 1/2 lbs of St. Louis, MO is now 8-0 with his first stoppage victory. Galvo, 170 1/2 lbs of Rio Brazil is now 5-2.
