UFC ‘Fight for the Troops 2’ Prelims: Edwards Chokes McKenzie

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In battle of old lion versus young lion, Yves Edwards used his experience to submit “The Ultimate Fighter 12” quarter-finalist Cody McKenzie with a rear-naked choke in the second round at UFC “Fight for the Troops 2” on Saturday at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. The choke rendered McKenzie unconscious 4:33 into round two.

The first frame saw McKenzie shoot immediately for a takedown, but Edwards’ defense held strong. From there, the veteran peppered the Alaskan with superior stand-up, forcing McKenzie to shoot for takedowns. Though McKenzie managed to take the fight to the floor, little was accomplished, and Edwards regained his vertical base.

In round two, McKenzie was far more effective with his ground attack, securing the mount and eventually locking up a body triangle. After a scare, the wily Edwards reversed the position, taking McKenzie’s back and choking the 23-year-old unconscious.

“I didn’t want to let position go. He was strong when he got my back, so I wanted to be strong when I got [that] position, too,” said Edwards. “I’m happy to be back in the UFC, and I’m happier to fight for the troops. You guys put it all on the line.”

Johnson Body Triangle Submits Guymon

In a welterweight affair that was likely crucial to the immediate futures of both competitors, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 9 finalist DaMarques Johnson finished Michael Guymon with one of the least common submissions in the game: a body triangle.

After stuffing an early Guymon takedown, Johnson threw his opponent to the mat, passing to side control and eventually to mount. From there, Guymon rolled over, giving up his back. Johnson locked up a body triangle and fished for a rear-naked choke, but the “Joker” continued to roll. However, Guymon ended up on his stomach, and Johnson cinched his body triangle even tighter, forcing the verbal submission at 3:22.

Though Johnson ended Guymon’s outing in the first round, the welterweight was unsatisfied with his performance. According to Johnson, he was hoping to inflict more damage before the stoppage occurred.

“Yeah, I’m disappointed. It’s like foreplay with no orgasm. I didn’t finish,” Johnson said. “I was just looking to get pressure and a good angle. He’s a big strong guy. I was just trying to get up and drop some dum-dums on him. My bad, guys.”

Yahya Extends Brown’s Fall

Mike Thomas Brown’s troubles continued, as submission ace Rani Yahya defeated the one-time WEC featherweight champion by unanimous decision on the undercard. Scores were 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28, all in Yahya’s favor.

Round one belonged to the Brazilian, as he took the fight to the floor with a slick takedown after a brief feeling-out process. Once on the ground, Yahya attacked like a boa constrictor, wrapping up the wrestler’s legs and attempting several guillotines. Though Brown attempted to escape, the Brazilian’s attack was suffocating. Yahya briefly secured the former champion’s back as the round expired.

In the second frame, Yahya employed more of his erratic but frustrating stand-up to lure Brown into a grappling contest. As Brown engaged the Brazilian, he attempted a slam, but Yahya countered with another guillotine attempt. Though Brown eventually scored the takedown, Yahya again threatened with a guillotine before standing.

On the feet, the American Top Team representative pursued Yahya impatiently, looking for a power shot to end the fight. Brown attempted a front choke late in the round, but Yahya defended well.

Yahya rushed ahead aggressively in round three, digging hard for a single-leg takedown. The Brazilian then secured a body lock and executed a leg trip that put the former champ on his back. Using his discipline of choice masterfully, the Brazilian secured Brown’s back, locked up a body triangle and dropped blows on the American’s head. Referee Mario Yamasaki stood up the men to warn Yahya for blows to the back of the head, but the round and the fight were his.

Brown has lost three of his last four fights.

Lowe Provides Rude Welcome for ‘Chiquerim’

Powerful wrestler Waylon Lowe outpointed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Willamy “Chiquerim” Freire in a lightweight tilt, earning 29-28 scores across the board.

Lowe bull-rushed quickly to start the fight and scored a forceful double-leg takedown. The Brazilian was active from his back, however, landing nice elbows to the top of Lowe’s skull before securing a double wristlock and attempting to pop out Lowe’s arm for a kimura. Despite Friere working for his submission, referee Dan Miragliotta stood up the pair. Once standing, Lowe staggered the Brazilian and pounced. Friere stayed composed and again worked from his back as the round expired.

Round two brought more of the same, with the wrestler scoring takedowns and Friere attempting submissions from his back. The third frame belonged to the jiu-jitsu player, as “Chiquerim” took advantage of Lowe’s fatigue and secured top position on a failed takedown attempt from the Bellator Fighting Championships veteran. Lowe eventually escaped and took the fight to the floor, where he avoided danger and left the cage victorious.

The defeat snapped an 11-fight winning streak for the 23-year-old Freire.

Brenneman Outwrestles, Outpoints Alves

Charlie Brenneman used superior wrestling to best Nova Uniao’s Amilcar Alves in a preliminary welterweight contest, riding out a unanimous decision. All three of the cage-side judges sided with Brenneman by matching 30-27 counts.

All three rounds were similar, as “The Spaniard” scored repeated takedowns and worked to pass his opponent’s guard. The first round saw the AMA Fight Club product slam Alves to the mat and even secure the mount before time expired. Rounds two and three were carbon copies of the first, and although the Brazilian attempted to make a difference off his back, it proved too little to overcome the American.

Cariaso Edges Campuzano

In the “Fight for the Troops 2” opener, Chris Cariaso bested Will Campuzano in a close unanimous decision. All three judges scored the contest 29-28 for Cariaso, a San Francisco-based muay Thai practitioner who has won five of his last six fights.

The first round saw considerable action in the stand-up realm, with both men landing shots on their feet. After more blows were exchanged in round two, Cariaso’s attempted takedown was stuffed by Campuzano. With the two bantamweights still upright, Campuzano appeared to get the best of the exchanges until the horn sounded.

They let it all hang out in the third round. Cariaso finally succeeded in executing a takedown, which may have provided the margin of victory. Campuzano was back on his feet quickly, however, and the duo traded blows as the fight came to a close.