ShoXC: 10/26/07

Al Bernstein! Oh, how I loved you, ShoXC.

1) MUSHIN CORBBREY vs. BOBBY MCMASTER: Corbbrey was rejected for TUF, so says the internet. This was probably because he was too good for season 9. Have you seen the lineup? It is horrible.

Some good leg kicks early in the round by Corbbrey but McMaster with the take down. Good clean right hands by McMaster on the ground. Actually, some good left hands too. Corbbrey is taking a beating. Good variety of punches from inside the guard, and then a horrid standup by the ref. McMasters clinches, but is thrown by Corbbrey. He locks in a guillotine and is forced to tap by Corbbrey even after slamming him. Fun to watch, but awful standup hurts this. (2)

2) SHAYNA BASZLER vs. JENNIFER TATE: Baszler is a tough girl and Tate was undefeated coming in. BIG FIGHT~

Tate throws shit punches, gets hit in the face, and Baszler gets a takedown. Side control, mount, armbar, over. (2) Lower ranking because, hey, its women's fighting.

3) MALAPEIT TEAM DIAMOND vs. KALEO KWAN: Malapeit is one of the few top kickboxers to transition to MMA from Thailand. But you probably know that already.

Crazy hard low kicks by Malapeit. Really, that is most of the round. Kwan is backing up and is standing with him for reasons I do not understand. Probably because he was paid off or something. Malapeit is not really throwing a lot of combinations though. Maybe he's afraid of the shot? I don't know. Malapeit isn't really showing the ability to easily finish either. Oh, wait, now I remember: He doesn't finish it. Lots of low kicks and single shots for 15 minutes. Malapeit wins. (0)

4) JAVIER VAZQUEZ vs. J.C. PENNINGTON: Vazquez is a legend. I mean that in the best way. Back in his prime before major injuries, his skills were off the chart. He's still great here.

Vazquez with a takedown early in this one. Pennington has 10 submission wins and so he's probably capable, but this is JAVY. Pass for Javy, mount, back control, RNC. Beautiful. Vazquez retires after the bout having given about the best advertisement possible for Millennia Jiu Jitsu. (2) Those who love this sport will always miss Vazquez's class and skill.

5) JARED HAMMAN vs. AARON ROSA: Rosa is a Team Punishment guy, Hamman is more of a striker. 

Hamman gets hit a couple times early but shrugs them off and takes down Rosa. Rosa is not training somewhere I'd think that working off your back is trained all that well. Hamman passes to side control and mount and I'm feeling justified. Hamma has the back and throws some more shots. Rosa gets out though and survives. God, Rosa looks like Machida. Too bad he can't fight like him. Rosa and Hamman clinch and this is better for him. Good punches land as they separate. Hamman jumps in with a left hook and goes for a takedown. Rosa defends momentarily, but Hamman regains the mount. Rosa bucks him off, and Hamman comes back into half guard. This is not a good round for Rosa. Hamman does look eminently hittable, however. Hamman looks like he's tiring a little, to be honest. Rosa gets back on his feet after Rosa stands and separates, and has his own takedown and big right hand. They stand again after Rosa stands out of guard, clinch, and the round is over. Hamman wins round 1.

Rosa clinches and Hamman lands some shots and takes him down at the start of Round 2. Hamman is in total control this round and punishes him with strikes from the top: knees to the body, punches, elbows, pretty much everything legal. Rosa rolls to try and escape and gives his back up. Bad move. Hamman locks in a rear naked choke. (3)

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Hamman/Rosa

SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT: Baszler/Tate

OVERALL FOR THE EVENT: 6.5 out of 10. Nothing too amazing, but Hamman looks good here and is still a legit prospect/top 30 205er, Baszler shows off some serious skills against a very good women's fighter, lots of quality ground work to boot, something EXC was never really known for. 

D&R Rating: 36% (9/25)