Mike Finch vs. Nico Jefferson: Hidden Talent MMA Welterweight Title Fight [Video]

Energy MMA’s Mike Finch weathered an early storm from Nico Jefferson, patiently worked his ground game and earned himself Hidden Talent MMA’s welterweight title at “Who’s Next Round 5″ on Saturday in Lake County.

Finch told the crowd in a post-fight interview that he’s retiring from fighting, but will continue to coach. In the near future Finch hopes to capture a NAGA championship in the men’s expert division and finish his college education.

Rollie Baguisa Skips Glove Tap, Punches David Hicks

The co-main event at Hidden Talent MMA’s “Who’s Next: Round 5,” pitted Energy MMA’s Rollie Baguisa against David Hicks. This fight started before the opening bell.

Baguisa entered the cage first, and took his place in his corner. When Hicks entered, he did a lap around the cage. As Hicks neared, Baguisa put up his hand for a glove tap. Hicks did not see it and kept going with his lap until he settled in his corner. I was sitting at the media table right below Baguisa’s corner, and I don’t think Hicks ever saw Baguisa put up for his glove.

It must have bothered Baguisa though, because when the first round began, Baguisa ignored Hicks’ signal to tap gloves and instead thew a right-hand that landed.

Right after that happened, Hicks’ corner was up in arms, and according to one of the officials, a member of his corner had to be removed. You can see this taking place right after Baguisa lands that first punch.

After the round ended, Hicks expressed his displeasure to Baguisa, then walked right out of the cage, giving Baguisa the win. Hicks’ corner also complained to referee Otto Torriero that he should have done something about the incident, but he made it clear that their is no rule regarding glove taps, and that all fighters are instructed to protect themselves at all times.

Baguisa did apologize in his post-fight interview.

Killer Finishes: Johny Hendricks batters Charlie Brenneman

Charlie Brenneman is one of the many victims of hard-hitting Johny Hendricks. Condit, Kampmann, Koscheck, Fitch, Grant, Sadollah…is GSP next?

If you’re looking to add bulk, one of the leading testosterone boosters on the market is the Gamma Labs Gamma-O V2 Series Natural Testosterone Booster. Reviews of the testosterone booster mention that strength gain, focus and moods were elevated due to taking the boosters as instructed.

Pat Curran vs. Daniel Straus: XFO 29 [Video]

by Matt Lo Cascio

XFO 29 was an historic event for a few reasons. The event took place April 17, 2009, and featured the organization’s first female fight, with Buffalo Grove’s Felice “L’il Bulldog” Herrig dropping a split decision to Valerie Coolbaugh.

XFO 29 also featured the first fight between Pat Curran and Daniel Straus. The rematch comes Saturday night, with Curran’s Bellator featherweight title on the line.

Curran suffered his first professional loss to Indiana’s Darren Elkins at C3 a few months before the Straus fight. He came back from that just a month later to beat current UFC fighter Ramiro Hernandez Jr. at Adrenaline II, on a card that featured Pat Miletich, Ben Rothwell, Mike Ciesnolevicz, LC Davis and Chicago’s Mike Russow.

The Straus fight would be Curran’s fourth fight in just five months, with both the Elkins and Hernandez Jr. fights going the distance. It turned out to be significant not just because of the upcoming rematch, but also because that fight featured Curran’s first professional knockout.

Pearl Gonzalez wins XFC flyweight title [Video]

Midwest Training Center’s Pearl Gonzalez submitted Courtney Casey via armbar in the third round of their fight Friday night to become the XFC flyweight champion. Gonzalez is from Chicago and is managed by Joe Fortis and ARS Management. Here are highlights from the bout.

Click here to watch the entire Pearl Gonzalez vs. Courtney Casey fight.

Fallon Fox Loses to Ashlee Evans-Smith at CFA 12

Midwest Training Center fighter Fallon Fox was handed the first loss of her career at CFA 12, losing via TKO to Ashlee Evans-Smith.

Palhares Submits Pierce, Holds Heel Hook After Tap — Again

Rousimar Palhares was at it again last night at UFC Fight Night 29, catching Mike Pierce in one of his patented heel hooks, and then hanging on to the hold well after Pierce tapped and the ref dove in to stop the fight.

Watch the video below. Pierce quickly taps Palhares three times, then referee Keith Peterson dives in to stop the fight. Palhares could clearly see and feel Peterson, but he keeps the hold even though Pierce continues to tap and Peterson is literally laying on both fighters trying to separate them.

Palhares has done this on multiple occasions, so it’s apparent he needs some sort of disciplinary measure to ensure it doesn’t happen again. UFC president Dana White told MMAFighting.com that is coming. Holding any submission once the ref steps in post-tap is unacceptable, but heel hooks are particularly dangerous, easily shredding knee ligaments if held too long. Besides the injury factor, that type of lack of sportsmanship is indefensible.

Sarah Spain Learns Some MMA from UFC Champ Chris Weidman

ESPN Chicago’s Sarah Spain learns the Thai Plum and a guillotine choke from UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman in this video for ESPN W.

You can hear Sarah doing SportsCenter updates during the Carmen & Jurko show, weekdays on ESPN 1000.

Ron Gray vs. Dakota Stohner: Praetorian 2.5 [Video]

Nasty knockout here from Ron Gray at Praetorian 2.5 in Schaumburg.

Countdown to UFC 165: Barao vs. Wineland

Eddie Wineland describes how Renan Barao will find out how much power he has in his right hand in this Countdown to UFC 165 video.

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