Pre-UFC on Fox Interview with Dustin Poirier

At 10-1 and on a 3 fight win streak, Dustin Poirier is quickly climbing the featherweight ranks of the UFC. Currently the 6th ranked fighter at 145lbs by ESPN.com, the "Diamond" is preparing for a tough challenge against an unpredictable opponent. Pablo Garza is from southern canada;) and was on "The Ultimate Fighter". He fought once for the WEC before two impressive victories in the UFC; one by flying knee and one by flying triangle. Dustin is prepared to bring this fight into the deep waters of the swamp and drown the canadian;) in the dark waters of the fight.

Bellator 52 from L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles

The L'Auberge du Lac casino resort is once again the home of Bellator, this time for the quarterfinal round of the heavyweight tournament. This round of the tournament promises big knockouts as 5 of the 8 entrants had to cut weight to make the 265 pound limit. I am very excited to see Blagoi Ivanov, the only man to ever defeat Fedor in Sambo, compete tonight against late replacement Zak Jensen, and it is nice to see a former Ultimate Fighter contestant, Abe Wagner, participating in the tournament after his stunning KO of Tim Sylvia.

On the undercard are some local fighters, and some are even making their professional debut. As a local follower of MMA how great must it be to make your pro debut on the stage of Bellator, where a good showing can really fast track a fighter.

The fights are scheduled to start at 6, and we arrive at 5:30. As is typical for L'Auberge, there are tons of people outside in the casino area. There is a good crowd waiting to be seated, and there is a buzz in the air. The first thing we notice upon entering is how much better the overall production value was. There was no having to find people or bumbling about. They knew who we were and where we needed to go. After no time at all we were set up wishing we had taken some more time to drink before coming in (press isn't allowed booze in the cage area; apparently they only want obnoxious people behind the barricade). As I was looking around I noticed how eclectic the crowd was. Oh sure there were Ed Hardy Douchebags aplenty, and there was the unmistakable odor of steroids present, but there were also lots of other people who looked much more mainstream. There were kids, couples, and even a few old people who admittedly looked like they were only there because they were taking a break from gambling. Soon the ring announcer came out and we were all systems go. The fights started promptly at six.

Fight 1
Nick Nichols (debut) v Matt Van Buren (3-0)
3x5 minute rounds 213 pounds catchweight

Round 1
Nichols shoots early. They work against the cage. Nichols gets the takedown. They get back to their feet. Van Buren gets standing back control. Nichols goes for an arm lock. Van Buren defends well. Van Buren gets a takedown and works to half guard. He gets the mount with 10 seconds left. This was a good round dominated by Van Buren, as he showed good technique and control.

Round 2
Van Buren works some leg kicks. He follows it up with a good scoring combination. They clinch and Nichols knees Van Buren low. Once again they clinch and Van Buren works some knees. He then gets a nice takedown and immediately gets back control. Van Buren lands some big shots. Ref stops it. Van Buren dominated a green fighter. The new kid hung in there, but he just took a beating. The winner at 2:29 of rd 2 TKO Matt Van Buren.

Fight 2
Justin Frazier (4-0) v Liron Wilson (9-4)
3 x 5 minute rounds 265 lbs

This fights promises to be a good ground match, as Frazier is a wrestler with good power, and Wilson is a BJJ practitioner with 9 subs.

Round 1
Frazier shoots and gets the takedown. He quickly gets side control, but Wilson regains half-guard. Frazier lands some big shots and then gets mount back control. More big shots and the ref steps in to stop it. Wow Wilson just didn't have a chance. Good wrestling + good power = undefeated. Look for Frazier to make some noise in the division. His control was top notch, and he didn't content himself to maintain the position. He knows how to hurt people. The end comes at 1:50 rd 1 Justin Frazier.

Fight 3
Josh Quayhagen v Cosmo Alexander (pro debuts for both)
3 x 5 minute rounds, 155 lbs

Both of these guys are strikers, so I'm looking forward to a good scrap. Quayhagen is a karate practitioner from Lake Charles, and Alexander is a Muay Thai specialist from Florida.

Round 1
The crowd is really behind the Lake Charles native. They are super loud and create a very exciting atmosphere for the fighters. However the action is slow as there is a lot of feeling out here. They both show a lot of respect for each other. They both throw a couple of leg kicks, but they are reluctant to let hands fly. Finally they start to land a little bit. Quayhagen is more aggressive and pushes the pace. He  puts together some respectable combinations. Alexander appears to be content to back pedal and counter strike, but he isn't doing it very well.

Round 2
Alexander comes out looking timid, although no real damage has been landed. Quayhagen is still the aggressor and is swinging wildly. He gets countered with good punch but shakes it off. He works the jab a little bit. Alexander seems frustrated and just wants to throw leg kicks. He slips and Quayhagen lands some good punches to close out the round. At this point Quayhagen has all the momentum and is running away with it.

Round 3
Quayhagen shoots for the takedown. He gets side control. Alexander recovers position into guard. Quayhagen is content to ride the position for the win and so just works the body. The crowd is behind their boy and erupts as the fight ends. Quayhagen has heart and tenacity, but he still needs to refine his game. Alexander appeared the superior athlete, but he just didn't have enough fight in him.

Winner by Judges Decision: Josh Quayhagen

Fight 4 
Bryan Goldsby (17-10) v Genair Da Silva (10-4)
3 x 5 minute rounds 150 lbs.

After the strikers had a showcase it was time for these two wrestlers to throw down. Both looked like good athletes, but Da Silva appeared to have an edge in submissions.

Round 1
Da Silva comes out hard with strikes looking to put pressure on Goldsby. After a couple of opening kicks he launches flying knee that just misses. Then he follows it up with a crips axe kick that makes Goldsby take a step back. They then clinch against cage. Goldsby has had enough of the stand up and lands a big takedown. Da Silva does a great job getting up and lands a big throw of his own that sees him in side control. He goes for a kimura, but Goldsby escapes nicely. Da Silva takes him down again, finishing in full guard. Goldsby escapes again and shoots for another takedown. Da Silva stuffs effectively and controls Goldsby's head. He then slips his arm under Goldsby's chin and goes for a Darce choke. Goldsby tries to roll and signals that he is ok, but the choke tightens, and after a good struggle he taps. This fight was a really fun grappling display with many reversals. Da Silva looked impressive in every facet, from the crisp kicking to his takedowns and submissions. Look to see him again soon. Goldsby showed that he is a solid fighter, despite having a few holes in his game. The finish comes at 3:54 of Rd 1 Da Silva by Darce choke.

Fight 5 (televised fights)
3 x 5 minute rounds 265 lbs.

Now that the televised fights are starting I look behind me to see that the crowd is finally here, and like all LA crowds, they are rowdy!

Mark Holata (11-2) v Ron Sparks (7-0)

Holata is a former NFL football player who is a knockout artist, and Sparks is just as big and just as nasty looking. These are two very big men. I don't look for this one to last very long.
Holata in white and sparks in black

Round 1
Holata is there to throw. He comes out swinging right away. Sparks has good movement for such a big man and so counters. Holata takes a big shot on the chin and walks through it. They clinch. They are both throwing big punches all around. Sparks lands a glancing right followed by a big right hook on the chin and Holata drops. A couple of follow up hammer fists and Holata is out cold. These big boys were throwing down. While Holata may be a veteran of Toughman competitions, it is a completely different game with 4 ounce gloves on. As for Sparks, it is hard to say much about him other than he hits hawwd. The finish comes at 1:24 Rd 1 by KO Ron Sparks.

Fight 6
3 x 5 minute rounds 265 lbs.
Abe Wagner (10-4) v Eric Prindle (7-1)

Abe was previously on the 5th season of The Ultimate Fighter and knocked out Tim Sylvia in his last fight. Prindle is a monster of a man who is an army boxing champ. This fight could be over just as quick as the last one.
Abe in white, Prindle in blue

Round 1
Wagner comes out the aggressor and lands first. Prindle answers and big shots are thrown from both men. Solid leg kick by Wagner. Prindle tries a kick of his own, but Wagner catches it and takes Prindle down. He finishes the takedown in side control,then advances to full mount with a nice move. Wagner opens up some big ground and pound on Prindle. The thud is sickeningly loud from every impact. Prindle has enough and rolls and manages to reverse the position, ending up in Wagner's guard. Wagner looks for an arm and then triangle. He gets an arm. Prindle escapes, and Wagner is back on his feet. This is an incredible pace for such big men. Wagner stays on Prindle and lands more big punches. Prindle looks hurt. Wagner smells blood and looks to finish. Prindle lands a big knee to the body that hurts Wagner, forcing him to retreat to recover. Prindle stalks him across the cage, and the round ends. Prindle looks worn out after such a taxing round, and Wagner is eager for a chance to recover as well. This was easily one of the best rounds I've seen in a long time.

Round 2
They clinch against cage. Prindle lands a knee. Wagner throws a high kick. They clinch again, and Prindle continues where the big knee from last round left off and throws big punches to the body. Wagner is hurt. He falls and Pindle mounts. He then moves to side control and goes for a kimura. Wagner rolls and gets up. This time Wagner goes for an ankle. They joust for ankles as the round ends. This was a very close round as both men are exhausted, but Wagner is getting outmuscled by the larger Prindle.

Round 3
Wagner lands some good shots and is beating the gassed Prindle to the punch. Prindle clinches. Wagner escapes. Wagner gives up his speed advantage and shoots for the takedown. Prindle sprawls and stuffs the attempt. From here Prindle moves to side control and just beats on the smaller Wagner. Prindle looks for the side choke, but gives up on it and advances to mount. Wagner turns, and Prindle goes for a rear naked choke. He lets go to deliver more punches, and Wagner reverses at the bell. Holy cow what an incredible fight. This is definitely fight of the night. Given the way the last two rounds went it is doubtful that Wagner took the decision. The sad thing is that he was winning the last round until he shot in. He just didn't know how to handle Prindle's size. The good news is that this fight allowed Wagner to showcase his toughness and heart. He took on a much bigger opponent and was able to nearly finish him. Prindle showed himself to be much more than just a powerful brute. He is a thinking fighter who adapts to the evolution of the fight, and he has no quit in him. There was no real loser to this fight in my book.

Winner by unanimous decision Eric Prindle (29-28)

Fight 7
3 x 5 minute rounds 265 lbs
Zak Jensen (10-7) v Blagoi Ivanov (9-0)

Ivanov is the only man to ever defeat Fedor Emilianenko in a Sambo competition and is undefeated in MMA. Due to some card shuffling he is now facing Jensen. There is much anticipation in seeing what Ivanov can do in Bellator. Jensen is a hard nose fighter who can take ridiculous amounts of punishment a la Wesley "Cabbage" Correira. This fight should be good.
Jensen in blue. Ivanov in white.

Round 1
Jensen is stalking Ivanov with a bit of a demented look to him. I don't know if it is to intimidate his opponent or not, but I know it definitely creeped me out. Jensen throws a high kick. Ivanov closes the distance and delivers an awesome throw into mount. Jensen regains half guard. He escapes into top position against cage. He makes it to his feet. Ivanov unloads with some really clean punches that connect. Jensen just smiles in acknowledgment. Jensen tries for a throw but doesn't get it. Jensen's face is now bleeding, and still smiling. He is getting beat to the punch by the smaller, faster Ivanov. The round ends. Jensen is getting picked apart and doesn't seem to care. He just smiles and keep lumbering forward. Man this guy is tough.

Round 2
They come out swinging and clinch up. Ivanov performs a trip takedown into side control. He goes for a kimura. He advances to mount, loses the hold, and so rains down punches. Jensen actually trades punches while mounted. No defense, no head movement, just some "you hit me and I hit you"...from the mount. UN.Believe.Able. Jensen makes a good bridge escape. Then he charges for a takedown, and Ivanov locks on a guillotine. Jensen still tries to finish the takedown and goes limp as he is choked unconscious. Ivanov looked good in all aspects, but it took him a while to show his dominance as Jensen was all chin and toughness. As for Jensen, the closest thing I can think to compare him to is an ox on PCP. This beast will just keep charging at you until you take him out. The stoppage comes at 2:35 Rd 2 technical submission Blagoi Ivanov.

Fight 8
3 x 5 minute rounds 265 lbs.
Mike Hayes (16-4-1) v Neil Grove (11-3-1)

This is a real David and Goliath style match up, especially when you consider that Grove's nickname is Goliath, and Hayes is the smallest competitor in the tournament at 224 lbs.
Hayes in white and Grove in black. Neil Grove is 40 years old.

Round 1
Hayes looks loose. They trade leg kicks. Grove lands the first punch. Then he throws some good leg kicks. They circle for a bit. Grove is not really throwing much. Hayes gets a takedown, but Grove whizzers out of it. There is a good exchange. The crowd having fun with the fight yelling "fish and chips" and "bangers and mash". The round ends. Grove was very reserved for some reason. While he was looking for the one punch, Hayes out worked him all round.

Round 2
Grove attempts a spinning back kick. Hayes throws more leg kicks and works the body a bit. Grove does nothing. He finally throws a flurry aginst the cage. Hayes gets away and still punches the body. Grove catches a kick and ties up briefly. The round ends as Grove catches another kick but does little save for throwing wildly. The crowd is booing and getting restless at this point. I fear had they any fish and chips they would have thrown it in the cage.

Round 3
Grove flurries and appears to be wildly going for the finish. Hayes looks hurt and ties up. Grove recklessly throws bombs, and Hayes seizes the opening and gets the takedown in side control. Grove tries to escape but ends in north south. He rolls. Hayes gets back control with hooks. He loses a hook and Grove ends up on top. Grove goes for a heel and loses position. Hayes ends up back on top with 30 seconds left. He tries for a kimura. The round ends with Hayes landing punches from side control. This fight definitely underperformed expectations as Grove just didn't want to engage, and when he did he looked wild. Hayes had a good gameplan to stick and move and avoid the brawling giant.

Winner by Split Decision decision Mike Hayes.

Overall this was a very good show. The production was really top notch, and the fighters left it all in the cage. The semi-finals are set with Ron Sparks facing Eric Prindle, and Blagoi Ivanov set to take on Mike Hayes. At the post-fight press conference, Bjorn expressed his satisfaction with the fights assured us that both Wagner and Jensen would get fights as soon as possible after their impressive showings tonight. Grove answered his critics by stating that an early leg kick from Hayes took out his leg for the duration of the fight, and this left him unable to do anything more than wait for Hayes to come to him. He was most apologetic and disappointed, but he said it was all due to Hayes' superior gameplan.

During the show my wife leaned over and told me how much more exciting and intense it was to watch fights like this, I replied, "But of course, that's why we do this." To everyone who contents themselves to watch on television, you are truly missing out. These local shows are something special. You can get a professional production value with the size to make everyone feel like a VIP. There is nothing that can compare to the actual experience of the lights, the crowd, the energy, and the sounds of real MMA.

Bjorn has made it known that they love coming to Lake Charles because they have seen how great it is to have MMA shows at L'Auberge. So the question is, will you?

For more Bellator discussion, Go to www.bloodyknux.com/Bellator 5