Chase Hooper vs. Canaan Kawaihae

Round 1

Kawaihae moves forward and tags Hooper with a couple straight left hands before the featherweights clinch against the fence. They separate and Hooper throws some flashy kicks. Kawaihae is unfazed and he rocks Hooper with another couple left hands. A right hook followed by a left uppercut sends Hooper to his back. Kawaihae declines the invitation to go into guard, and Hooper stands. They clinch, and Kawaihae lands a couple hard elbows and a knee in close quarters. Hooper tries to jump guard, but Kawaihae breaks free. Kawaihae catches a kick and tosses Hooper to the canvas. The Hawaiian lets his foe get right back up. Kawaiahae counters a kick with a series of heavy punches, and his 18-year-old foe is hurt. He tees off with more punches and follows his foe to the ground. Not much happens on the floor, and Kawaihae lets his man back up. Hooper is able to secure a body lock and briefly pulls guard. They stand, and Kawaihae rolls for a takedown and ends up in back control. He briefly hunts for a rear-naked choke before the combatants scramble to their feet. Another grappling exchange concludes the frame, with neither fighter gaining a significant edge. 10-9 Kawaihae.

Round 2

Kawaihae enters the second round for the first time in his young pro career. Hooper attempts to initiate an exchange before Kawaihae shoves his foe into the cage. Hooper throws a series of knees with his back to the fence, but one lands low. Referee Jason Herzog calls time to give Kawaihae a chance to recover. The action resumes and Hooper presses forward behind a punching combination and a body kick. He eats a counter in the process but is able to briefly secure a guillotine choke. He can’t get it, and Kawaihae scrambles into back control. The featerweights scramble to their feet and Hooper presses Kawaihae into the fence. Kawaihae is stuffed on a takedown and Hooper crams him against the cage, landing short punches. Hooper moves into top position, where he drops some solid elbows against a fatigued Kawaihae. Hooper passes to mount and unloads with a series of unanswered elbows to the head of Kawaihae. The Hawaiian gives up his back, and Hooper secures both hooks as he continues to land short punches. Hooper can’t slide his arm under the neck, and Kawaihae scrambles into top position with about 1:00 to go. Hooper remains active with his guard, as he looks to set up a triangle. Instead, Hooper is able to transition to back control, and he’s hunting for the rear-naked choke with 12 seconds to go. Kawaihae is grimacing but he’s able to fight off the choke. Hooper drops one big elbow just before the horn. 10-8 Hooper.

Round 3

Kawaihae looks exhausted at the start of the frame. Hooper follows a jumping front kick with a punching combination. Kawaihae is able to counter a body kick with a straight left. Hooper transitions from a standing guillotine to an armbar before taking his foe’s back. Hooper is peppering Kawaihae with short punches while in back control. Kawaihae rolls over and eats some massive elbows. Kawaihae rolls again, as Hooper continues to land ground-and-pound. Hooper has a face crank now, but Kawaihae does a good job of fighting off the hands. Hooper alternates between full mount and back control, and Kawaihae doesn’t have much to offer at this point. Hooper appears to be on the verge of stopping the fight, but on several occasions has elected to give up on ground-and-pound in favor of hunting for chokes. Jason Herzog is taking a close look as Hooper lands more punches from back mount. Again, Hooper looks for the rear-naked choke. Kawaihae fights it off, only to find Hooper in full mount again. Hooper continues to land ground-and-pound, but his punches lack the overall steam to force the stoppage, and Kawaihae continues to try and defend himself. With less than 10 seconds to go, Hooper attempts to isolate an arm, but he doesn’t get the armbar before the horn sounds. 10-8 Hooper (29-26 Hooper).

The Official Result

Chase Hooper def. Canaan Kawaihae via Unanimous Decision (29-26, 29-26, 28-26) R3 5:00

Jeff Hughes vs. Josh Appelt

Round 1

Hughes probes with an inside leg kick. Appelt initiates an exchange in close quarters and Hughes lands a big right hook. They clinch against the fence, and Hughes tries for a single leg but is denied. They separate and Hughes lands a kick to the body. A kick from Appelt lands on the cup and Mark Smith give Hughes a moment to recover. The action continues, and Appelt just misses on a massive overhand left. Hughes punches his way into the clinch, and he is able to get a single-leg takedown against the fence. Appelt battles his way up and they return to the center of the cage. A right hand connects for Hughes before the heavyweights clinch again. Hughes moves forward with punching combinations. Moments later, Hughes follows a jumping knee against the fence with a takedown. Hughes is in half guard near the base of the cage, and he unloads with a series of unanswered right hands to the head. After eating somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 blows, Appelt is somehow able to return to his feet. Moments later, Hughes connects with an uppercut that catches Appelt on the nose. Appelt falls to his knees, and Smith steps in to halt the bout before Hughes can do any more damage.

The Official Result

Jeff Hughes def. Josh Appelt via TKO (Punches) R1 4:26

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mike Davis

Round 1

Yusuff lands a hard calf kick before the combatants clinch. They separate, and Yusuff lands a jab. Davis answers with a crisp right hand. Yusuff kicks out Davis’ leg and makes him stumble. The fighters are standing right in the pocket, and Davis lands a hook-straight right combination. A front kick from Yusuff lands directly on the chin and Dvais shakes it off. A jab from Yusuff finds its way through the guard of Davis. Yusuff lands another calf kick. They trade heavy combinations in the pocket near the fence. Davis finds the range on a body kick then blocks a high kick by his foe. Davis counters a low kick with a right hand. Yusuff circles away as Davis attempts to walk him down. A big right hand from Yusuff has sends Davis stumbling backward momentarily. He looks to have recovered, but Yusuff drops him again. Davis shoots for a takedown out of desperation after absorbing a couple more hard shots. Yusuff defends the takedown and briefly grabs a guillotine. He lets it go and tags Davis with another combination. They move back to the center of the cage and Yusuff makes Davis stumble with a low kick. Yusuff lands another right hook before the horn sounds. 10-9 Yusuff.

Round 2

Davis walks Yusuff down and lands a right and an uppercut near the fence. Yusuff answers back, connecting with another clean combination. Yusuff goes back to the low kicks. Davis marches forward and both fighters swing with ill intent, but neither connects in this exchange. The pace has slowed somewhat, with both competitors being patient. Davis continues to stalk, but it’s Yusuff that lands another hard low kick. Davis seems hesitant to pull the trigger in this frame. Yusuff tags Davis with a jab, and Davis lands one of his own to the body. Yusuff is content to circle on the outside, with his back to the fence. Another low kick lands just as Davis tries to attack. Davis stumbles forward and Yusuff circles out of danger. A spinning back to the body from Davis glances off Yusuff’s body. Davis ties up Yusuff with 20 seconds left. They break quickly, and Davis attempts a modified cartwheel kick before the frame ends, but Yusuff is able to block it. 10-9 Yusuff.

Round 3

Yusuff comes out working his jab, but it’s Davis landing a couple leg kicks early. Yusuff lands a jab. Yusuff lands another jab and follows up with a low kick. The action has slowed considerably. A leg kick lands for Yusuff and Davis shoots for a takedown immediately. Yusuff stuffs it. Davis tries to clinch, but Yusuff shoves him away. Another low kick makes Davis stumble, and Davis is clearly limping now. Davis switches stances to protect his lead leg. Yusuff lands a heavy right hand. A jab connects for Yusuff. Davis blocks a high kick and shakes off the blow. Yusuff finds the home for a body kick. Davis is struggling to land from the southpaw stance. Yusuff lands a right hook and then buckles Davis with a calf kick. Yusuff goes upstairs with a head kick, landing partially. Davis lands a left over the top as time winds down, but it’s probably going to be too late. 10-9 Yusuff. (30-27 Yusuff).

The Official Result

Sodiq Yusuff def. Mike Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jimmy Crute vs. Chris Birchler

Round 1

Crute lands an outside leg kick immediately and follow with a two-punch combination. Birchler lands a short right as Crute attacks. Crute is definitely the aggressor early. A big right hand connects for Birchler, who owns a six-inch reach advantage. A one-two lands for Birchler and Crute urges his opponent on. A body kick lands for Crute. Birchler walks his man down, throwing heavy right hands. Birchler has absorbed some punishment from Crute, but he continues to walk forward. Crute lands a right hand followed by a low kick. Crute lands a body shot, and Birchler counters with an overhand right. A left from Crute staggers Birchler momentarily. While Crute appears to have landed in greater volume, it’s the Aussie’s face that is wearing the damage at the moment. Crute lands a left uppercut to the body followed by a right upstairs. Crute continues throwing punches upstairs, and a left hook lands clean on the chin. Birchler keeps his feet, but he stumbles backward for several steps toward the fence. Referee Mark Smith decides that’s enough, and he steps in to halt the bout before Crute can do any more damage on his defenseless foe.

The Official Result

Jimmy Crute def. Chris Birchler via TKO (Punches) R1 4:23

Nick Newell vs. Alex Munoz

Round 1

Both fighters begin cautiously, feeling each other out in the early going. Newell lands a jumping knee, but Munoz absorbs it and takes Newell down. Newell is up quickly and Munoz attacks with a series of kicks to Newell’s left side. A jab lands for Munoz. Newell lands a stinging inside leg kick. A right jab lands for Newell as he pressures his foe. Newell moves forward and lands a glancing kick to the body. Munoz grabs a single leg and sweeps Newell to the canvas. Newell scrambles up as Munoz maintains a rear-body lock. Newell separates Munoz’s hands, but the Team Alpha Male product lands a short left hook on the break. A front kick from Newell lands on the chin. Newell keeps the pressure on but eats a punch as he moves forward. An overhand left connects for Munoz as time winds down in the frame. 10-9 Munoz.

Round 2

A straight right lands for Munoz. Newell misses on a spinning kick. Munoz catches a kick and lands a hard left. Munoz follows Newell to the ground and drops some elbows from above. Munoz stands then dives back into guard. Newell is able to stand again, and he breaks free from a rear waistlock. A straight left counter lands for Munoz. Another left counter finds a home for Munoz. Munoz dumps Newell to the canvas after catching a kick and then takes top position. Newell is on all fours as Munoz maintains control of his foe. Munoz lands a knee to the body and attempts to transition to back control. Munoz is using the wrestling ride to keep control, although he isn’t landing much offense. Newell isn’t able to stand until 10 seconds remaining in the frame, and he can’t land anything before the round expires. 10-9 Munoz.

Round 3

Newell likely needs a finish to win this fight. A left hand connects for Munoz. Moments later, Munoz catches a kick and transitions to a rear bodylock against the fence. Munoz lands a knee as the fighters separate. A right jab lands for Munoz. Newell’s nose is bloodied now. Munoz shoots for a takedown and gets it, but Newell has him trapped in a guillotine. Munoz is able to break Newell’s grip and he’s out of danger, in side control. Munoz is bleeding now as he rides Newell toward the fence. Newell stands and shakes Munoz off him with 1:45 to go. Newell pressures, swinging heavy leather. Munoz takes him down with ease 15 seconds later. Munoz applies pressure from inside full guard, covering his opponent’s mouth. Munoz tries to take the back as Newell stands, but he’s too high. Newell is able to shake him off, but he surrenders top position in a scramble, and the round ends with Munoz in control. 10-9 Munoz (30-27 Munoz).

The Official Result

Alex Munoz def. Nick Newell via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00