ICF: Payback Live Blog (9/11/09)

I'm here at the ICF Fight Club, waiting for the action to start. Tonight's card features eleven fights, including the first women's MMA fight to be featured at the club.

The action is set to get started at 8:00 PM. I'll be back with the first fight.

As always, a quick shout out to the vendors here tonight - Fight Ribbon Clothing Company and Actual Fighter.

Disclosure: I take the spelling of all names from the fight card I am given, and the times from the official announcements. My perspective is a stationary one outside the cage, so I report the fights as I see them from my point of view.

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Mike Kidd vs. Wesley Barrentine (145)

Kidd, making his amateur MMA debut, fights out of Team Nemesis. Barrentine (2-0) fights out of Team Vision.

Round 1
Barrentine lands a leg kick and Kidd answers with three punches. Barrentine scores a big takedown with a belly to belly suplex and lands in side control. Kidd pulls Barrentine's head down to keep him from posturing up, and Barrentine briefly takes mount then transitions to the other side, going for an arm triangle choke. Kidd lands a couple punches from the bottom, but Barrentine keeps the choke in tight and Kidd taps.

Wesley Barrentine wins via submission (arm triangle choke) at 1:47 of Round 1.

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Joe Maiani vs. David Suter (155)

Maiani fights out of Walker MMA. Suter represents 4 Seasons.

Round 1
Touch of the gloves and we're off. A front kick from Maiani falls short. Maiani lands a leg kick, then another and misses a third. Suter tries for a combo but Maiani grabs Suter's leg and takes him down and takes Suter's back. Maiani lands some body shots from the top and Suter rolls, Maiani transitions to side control. Suter tries to shake him off, but Maiani keeps the side control position. Suter tries to shake him off and Maiani lands a right hook. Suter briefly tries up Maiani's head, but Maiani gets it out and lands more shots from the top. Suter gets to his feet and lands a hard left hook followed by a right. Suter moves for a leg kick, but instead finds Maiani's head as Maiani shoots in and the ref calls time and separates them. Although Suter's kick caught Maiani square in the face, it looked like an unintentional kick - Suter was already throwing the kick as Maiani shot in. The doctor moves to check what looks to be a bad cut above Maiani's face. The doctor calls the fight.

The fight is ruled a no-contest, as the kick has been ruled unintentional, and the doctor stopped the fight.

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Justin Hunt vs. Rob Gonzalez (155)

Hunt trains out of Team Nemesis. Gonzalez fights out of Highlander MMA Tampa.

Round 1
Hunt lands a hard right hook and the two trade hard head shots. Gonzalez scores a takedown and lands in half-guard, working shots to the body. Gonzalez transitions to full mount then takes Hunt's back when Hunt rolls, working for the rear naked choke. Gonzalez gets his legs hooked in between Hunt's, then transitions to a body triangle, but Hunt still defends and gets his head free, but Gonzalez still has the body triangle locked in. Gonzalez looks for another rear naked choke and is able to score the tap this time.

Robert Gonzalez wins via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:01 of Round 1.

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John Gill vs. Derrick Hayes (185)

Gill fights out of Fusion MMA. No team affiliation is announced for Hayes.

Round 1
Hayes goes for a left hook followed by a right and they graze Gill but Gill scores a takedown and immediately takes Hayes's back, going for the rear naked choke. Hayes rolls and stands inside guard and starts landing shots. Gill looks for an ankle lock and takes Hayes back down but Hayes looks for a guillotine. Gill gets his head out and takes the top position, then takes Hayes's back and starts landing multiple head shots, bloodying Hayes's nose. Gill quickly sinks in a rear naked choke, securing the tap.

John Gill wins via submission (RNC) at 1:49 of Round 1.

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Vick Simms vs. Donald Lipscomb (180)

Simms fights out of Fusion MMA. Lipscomb fights out of Highlander MMA Tampa.

Round 1
Lipscomb throw s left to start but it misses. Simms clinches up and lands a knee to the body and Lipscomb tries to sweep but can't. Simms takes Lipscomb down but the two stand and trade more shots. The two work their way around the ring with Lipscomb going for a takedown but Simms defends. Simms presses Lipscomb against the cage, gets one of Lipscomb's legs off the ground and picks him up for a big slam that KOs Lipscomb and has the ref rushing in to stop the fight.

Vick Simms wins via KO at 1:10 of Round 1.

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Jerry James vs. Rick Dennis (210)

James fights out of Invincible MMA. No team affiliation is announced for Dennis.

Round 1
Dennis comes in with a right hook that falls short. They circle and Dennis misses with three more punches. James lands a hard right and the two trade head shots, moving wildly around the cage. Dennis clinches up but can't take James down. James presses Dennis against the cage and lands a knee to the body and the two trade more shots. They separate and James comes in with a body kick that Dennis answers with a right. The two trade right hands and Dennis lands a second hard right. Dennis shoots in for a takedown but James defends. They separate again and trade more head shots. James lands another hard body kick and a left hook. Dennis clinches up and lands a knee to the body as the round ends.

An exciting round, but I think James had slightly more control and should see a win for that round.

Furby sees it 10-9 James.

Round 2
Dennis comes in with a jumping jab that lands and then follows it up with a body kick. Dennis throws out a right that connects. James lands another body kick and Dennis another right. James lands three wild punches and backs off. Both swing and miss with big overhand rights and Dennis pushes James against the cage. Dennis gets a lazy takedown but James has his neck locked up. James lets go and the two stand again. They briefly circle and then James lands a massive left hook that KOs Dennis, spinning him around and sending him to the mat. James goes in for another shot but the ref rushes in and pulls James off.

Jerry James win via KO at 1:56 of Round 1.

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Brett Lowery vs. Zack Sanders (155)

Lowery fights out of Walker MMA. Sanders fights out of 4 Seasons.

Round 1
Lowery opens with a leg kick and then the two trade leg kicks. Lowery moves in with a jab but then lands another leg kick and Sanders shoots in for the takedown. Lowery tries to tie up Sanders's neck and work a knee to the body but the knee falls low and the action is briefly stopped. Sanders is okay and they restart. Sanders lands a leg kick and Lowery answers with a right. They circle and Sanders catches a leg kick and lands a hard shot on Lowery, moving to take him down. Lowery works for a guillotine and lands two knees to the body. Sanders works his way out and Lowery lands another leg kick. Sanders lands a leg kick and Lowery answers with a two-punch combo and then ties Sanders up, pressing him against the cage and landing more knees to the body. Lowery works to take Sanders's back, standing, and Sanders goes down trying to shake Lowery off. Lowery is stuck on the side briefly and Sanders works his way back to his feet. Sanders lands a two punch combo and a leg kick as the two separate and then misses with a superman punch. Lowery clinches up and lands a couple short shots to the body as the round expires.

A tough round to score there - great effort from both guys and both landed some quality shots. However, I think Lowery being the aggressor combined with his striking and submission attempt will win him the round.

Furby sees it 10-9 Lowery.

Round 2

Sanders opens this round with spinning heel kick to the body but Lowery catches it and lands a head shot. Sanders shoots in and takes Lowery down, landing in mount working shots from the top. Lowery rolls and takes top position but Sanders looks for a triangle. Lowery lands shots to the body and the two rolls and roll again and Sanders has the triangle from the top, landing multiple unanswered shots. They roll again and again and Sandesr lands on top. Lowery gets his head out, but is still on bottom with Sanders landing more shots from the top. Lowery pulls guard but Sanders works in more shot shots from the top. Sanders stands in Lowery's guard, but then goes back down and now Lowery, from the bottom, looks for a reverse triangle but Sanders gets his head out. Sanders lands more shots from the top and tries for a d'arce as the round ends.

A much better round for Sanders. Multiple submission attempts and a higher striking percentage.

Furby sees it 10-9 Sanders.

Round 3
Sanders opens with a superman punch and immediately shoots in and picks Lowery up around the waist for a big slam. Sanders lands shots from the top in half-guard and takes mount as Lowery tries to sweep. Sanders lands more shots from the top and Lowery tries to shake him off but can't. Sanders lands more head shots from the top and Lowery tries to sweep him again but Sanders stays in full mount, landing more shots. Lowery tries to pull Sanders down to keep him from posturing up and manages to roll a little bit but Sanders pushes him back down, staying in mount, landing more unanswered shots from the top until the ref steps in to stop the fight.

Zack Sanders wins via TKO (strikes) at 2:27 of Round 3.

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Jaclyn Greenwell vs. Priscilla Brownfield (115)

Greenwell fights out of Fusion MMA. Brownfield fights out of Death is Certain.

Round 1
Brownfield misses with a leg kick and Greenwell lands a two punch combo and the two clinch up against the cage. Brownfield is working for a takedown but Greenwell initially defends, landing head and body shots. Brownfield hip tosses Greenwell, lands in half-guard and scores with shots from the top. Greenwell puls guard and Brownfield stands inside the guard. Greenwell works fo high guard and Brownfield lands shots to the head as Greenwell goes for an armbar. Greenwell gets one of Brownfield's arms trapped between her legs but Brownfield gets it out and lands shots to the head from side control. Greenwell briefly transitions to rubber guard and the two are stood up as the action slows. Greenwell lands a couple jabs and Brownfield pushes her against the cage, going for the takedown, but Greenwell defends.

A solid round from both of the women. I think Brownfield will edge it out on the scorecards due to her dominance from the top position.

Furby sees it 10-9 Brownfield

Round 2
Greenwell throws a jab that falls out of range and the same happens with a leg kick from Brownfield. Greenwell uses the opportunity to start landing headshots and gets Brownfield against the cage, landing more headshots. Brownfield grabs Greenwell around the waist and takes her down and Greenwell pulls guard. Brownfiled transitions to side control, then Greenwell gets Brownfield's leg locked up in half-guard. Brownfield has Greenwell's right arm trapped between their bodies and uses the opening to land some short head shots, followed by more. Brownfield tries to transition to full mount but Greenwell defends from the bottom. The two are stood up agains as the action slows. Greenwell lands four punches and Brownfield quickly moves in and presses her against the cage as the round expires.

Another tough round to score. Greenwell had the initial flurry but Brownfield controlled from the top position on the ground more. It depends on what the judges are placing more value on tonight - striking or groundwork, but I think Brownfield will win the round.

Furby sees it 10-9 Brownfield.

Round 3
Greenwell lands a jab to start and Brownfield answers with two punches, one of which misses. Greenwell lands more shots and Brownfield ties her up again, going for the takedown. Brownfield gets Greenwell down and Greenwell pulls guard. Brownfield lands a head shot from the top and Greenwell pulls her down, preventing her from posturing up. Brownfield is working in some short head and body shots, still in Greenwell's full guard. Brownfield works in more short shots from the top and gets a knee on Greenwell's left arm, pinning it to the mat and landing more shots. Greenwell gets her arm free and works her guard up higher while Brownfield lands more head shots. Greenwell almost sweeps Brownfield but Brownfield keeps the dominant position, landing more shots from the top. Greenwell sinks in an armbar, but it is too late and the round expires.

A dominant round from Brownfield.

Furby sees it 10-9 Brownfield.

Priscilla Brownfield wins via Unanimous Decision (no scores announced).

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Brandon Laino vs. Eric Moell (135)

I couldn't hear Laino's team affiliation. Moell fights out of Invincible MMA.

Round 1
Laino shoots in and Moell briefly stuffs it but Laino gets the takedown and starts landing head shots from the mount position. Moell throws his legs up for a submission and doesn't get it but reverses Laino and ends up in the top position. Laino looks for a guillotine from the top, but Moell gets his head out and pulls guard. He briefly moves for triangle but Laino muscles out of it and ends up in top position with Moell landing short head shots from the bottom. Laino postures up briefly and Moell lands more shots from the bottom. Laino moves back and Moell rolls him to end in the top position, landing multiple unanswered head shots until the ref steps in to call it off as a result of a verbal submission.

Eric Moell wins via submission (verbal tapout due to strikes) at 2:46 of Round 1.

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CO-MAIN EVENT

Jabari Hudgins vs. Brad Hutcheison (210)

Hudgins is making his MMA debut. Hutcheison fights out of Big Bully MMA.

Round 1
Hudgins opens with a two punch combo and lands two more when Hutcheison goes in for a shot. The two trade hard shots to the head and Hutcheison shoots in again and takes Hudgins down with a single leg, but Hudgins has Hutcheison's head tied up in a guillotine. Hutcheison gets his head free, in full mount, and lands shots from the top. Hutcheison gets control of one of Hudgins's wrists and lands more shots from the top. Hudgins gets his arm free and rolls to his stomach but flattens out and Hutcheison lands more head and body shots from Hudgins's back until Hudgins taps to the strikes.

Brent Hutcheison wins via submission (strikes) at 1:32 of Round 1.

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MAIN EVENT

Sammy Rodriguez vs. Taylor Ruscin (185)

Rodriguez fights out of Highlander MMA Tampa. Ruscin represents JG MMA Academy. Both guys are cornered by their trainers, two top-notch BJJ guys. Rodriguez is cornered by Mike Yanez and Ruscin by Jorge Gurgel

Round 1
Rodriguez lands a left hook and Ruscin a leg kick followed by two more. They clinch up and struggle across the cage and go down, Ruscin landing in the top position. Ruscin lands shots from the top and Rodriguez gets in shots from the bottom. Ruscin passes guard and ends up in side control. Rodriguez is still working from the bottom and sneaks a shot in. Ruscin lands two shots from the top and Rodriguez continues to punch from the bottom. Rodriguez gets one of Ruscin's arms tied up in an armbar attempt but Ruscin pulls free and goes back down, taking top position. Ruscin lands ahard shot from the top and Rodriguez a glancing blow from the bottom. Ruscin stands and then goes back down in side control again and Rodriguez spins, trying to get out from under Ruscin. Ruscin lands a short shot from the top and another as the round ends.

Ruscin should win that first round. Rodriguez didn't appear to take much damage but Ruscin was in control for the majority of the round, working from the top position.

Furby sees it 10-9 Ruscin.

Round 2

Rodriguez sneaks in a left but Ruscin answers with a right. Ruscin throws a high kick but it falls short and he is warned for head kicks. Ruscin sweeps Rodriguez with a leg kick and gets on top and Rodriguez gets half-guard. Ruscin lands three good shots from the top, followed by two more. Ruscin is trying to mount but can't get his leg free. Rodriguez sneaks in two head shots from the bottom but Ruscin moves and takes full mount, landing shots from the top. Rodriguez scrambles but Ruscin takes his back, landing more shots from the top. Rodriguez rolls and Ruscin takes mount, and Rodriguez pulls him down. Ruscin lands a couple body shots and Rodriguez tries to shake him off, but can't. Ruscin looks for a rear naked choke but can't finish it before the round ends.

A dominant round for Ruscin.

Furby sees it 10-9 Ruscin.

Round 3
Rodriguez opens with a left hook and then presses Ruscin against the cage landing three more shots to the head. Ruscin reverses and looks for a double-leg takedown but Rodriguez defends, sneaking in head shots. Ruscin gets the takedown and Rodriguez pulls guard. Ruscin lands some body shots from the top and Rodriguez works from the bottom. Ruscin passes into side control and Rodriguez sneaks in a shot from the bottom. Rodriguez looks to sweep Ruscin but Ruscin keeps the top position, working in two head shots. Ruscin lands a body shot and looks for mount but Rodriguez scrambles. Ruscin stands and lands a leg kick. He dives in with a right but it doesn't connect. Ruscin take side control again and Rodriguez looks for a kimura, then a reverse triangle but Ruscin stands again and tries for an arm triangle choke from inside the guard as the round ends.

Ruscin had control the majority of that round. Looks like he's headed for a unanimous decision win.

Furby sees it 10-9 Ruscin.

Taylor Ruscin wins via Unanimous Decision (no scores announced).

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Some good fights tonight. I'll be back in the coming days with my post-event coverage.