FAIRFAX, Va. – AZ Combat Sports fighter, Aaron Simpson, kept his perfect record intact the hard way, surviving a full-on first round striking assault from Tom Lawlor to battle back and earn a razor-thin three round split decision victory.
The two 185-pound prospects immediately engaged, and it was Lawlor who was surprisingly winning the striking battle, as he repeatedly rocked Simpson. As the round progressed, he kept the pressure on, and while Simpson’s head was in the fight, it was obvious that his legs were not. Lawlor, cautiously aggressive, continued to press the action, but he refused to get reckless.
Looking to turn the tide, Simpson went back to basics, taking Lawlor down in the second minute. Lawlor battled back to his feet, and got a brief takedown of his own before pinning Simpson against the fence. After breaking, Simpson stalked, and the two locked up again. After separating, Simpson got off a few hard shots, but it was Lawlor who ended the round with a guillotine choke attempt. Continue reading
The UFC 104 took place in Los Angeles, California on October 24th. AZ Combat Sports was well represented by Ryan Bader.
It was apparent early on that Bader was definitely ready to show off his stand-up skills in facing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Eric “Red” Schafer, as the former Ultimate Fighter winner opened up early in the fight with big punches trying to end the fight early. Bader landed a big shot midway through the first that rocked Schafer, and it looked like the finish was on its way, but the Milwaukee based fighter persevered and made in through the first five minutes, while enduring some severe punishment from the former Arizona State wrestler.
The Ultimate Warrior Challenge (UWC) took place in Fairfaix, Virginia on October 3rd, where AZCS’ fighters went 2-0. Jacob McClintock defeated Beau Baker at 3:30 of the first round. McClintock’s stand-up looked clean and precise as he finessed the TKO out of Baker. Pat Runez won the UWC Flyweight title after he defeated John Dodson in a 5 round battle. The Championship Bout started out looking very strong, with Dodson seeming to be landing more strikes, even as Runez pushed forward. Dodson almost finished the fight in the second round after knocking Runez down and hurting him, but the third round would be the beginning of Runez’s comeback. Dodson attempted to capitalize on his success in the previous round, but Runez kept being the aggressor. The fourth and fifth rounds were where Runez won the fight as he began to control more of the exchanges and pushed the pace against the tiring Dodson. The scorecards came in at 49-46, 48-47 and 49-46, split in favor of Runez.
Jacob McClintock (6-0) has Finished all his fights in the 1st round
The UFC Fight Night 19 took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 16th.Three AZ Combat Sports fighters were in the card. Carlos Condit (AZCS) defeated Jake Ellenberger by split decision in a very tough fight.CB Dollaway (AZCS) defeated Jay Silva by unanimous decision, and Unfortunately Steve Steinbeiss (AZCS) lost to Ryan Jensen on a controversial referee’s call.Jensen had a guilliotine choke sunk in, and the referee thought that Steinbeiss was out, but he wasn’t. We look foward to watch our UFC Fighters back in the Octagon soon.
PORTLAND, OR, AUGUST 29 – Rising middleweight prospect Aaron Simpson continued to impress at the Rose Garden Arena Saturday night, as he spoiled the homecoming of Ed Herman via second round TKO in UFC 102 preliminary action. It was the second straight stoppage win for the 35-year old former All-American wrestler, who halted Tim McKenzie in April.
“I’m a little older now, so my days are numbered, but it’s one fight at a time,” said Simpson, when asked what’s next for him.
Despite a rousing ovation from his hometown fans, Herman seemed loose as the bout began and he countered well when Simpson shot in with quick shots to the head. For his part, Simpson kept working, lifting and then dropping Herman with a thud that gave him the upper hand. Herman fought well off his back, eventually getting to his feet, but the heavy handed Simpson kept coming, and he dropped Herman with under two minutes left. Herman quickly regained his senses and made it to his feet, but Simpson again attacked with a takedown followed by ground strikes, putting an exclamation mark on a big round as Herman limped back to his corner, apparently hurting his left knee. Continue reading
The PFC 13 “Validation” took place at The Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, CA on May 8th.
Pat Runez (AZ Combat Sports) became the PFC’s 125-pound champion in impressive fashion, as he had little trouble with the tough but overmatched Anthony Perales.
Runez controlled the first round, both standing and on the mat, before locking in the belt-winning rear-naked choke at 2:28 of the second round. Runez improves to a perfect 6-0, and has contender Raamba Somdet in his sights.
“Raamba, if you’re coming back… I want that fight,” Runez told the crowd.
The Desert Rage 5 took place at the Cocopah Casino in Somerton, Arizona on May 30th. Zack Surdyka (AZ Combat Sports) defeated Joe Diaz (Team United) by TKO due to strikes at 2:32 in the first round.
After feeling each other out for the first minute of the first round, Surdyka, former wrestler from Yuma and BJJ Blue Belt under Gustavo Dantas,took Diaz down and ended the fight with punches to the head.
The Rumble at the Rally, an event presented by 5150 Combat League, took place in Sparks, OK on June 27th of 2009. Jesse Forbes defeated Cleburn Walker by Rear naked choke at 3:02 of the first round. Forbes improved his record to an impressive 12-3.
MANY WEAPONS sits down with Founder of GD Jiu-jitsu and head Jiu-jitsu instructor at Arizona Combat Sports. Gustavo Dantas is a 3rd degree black belt from Andre Pederneiras (founder of Team Nova União). Gustavo has been producing world-class competitors since October 2000 in Tempe, Arizona.
