San Antonio, Texas has recently cemented itself as the premier fight city in the Lone Star State. After recently hosting multiple big-time boxing events, the home of the Alamo added the Ultimate Fighting Octagon to its resume. The UFC event held the crowd's attention with exhilarating bouts.
The opening main televised contest featured lightweight Joe "Excalibur" Ellenberger (14-1) facing James "Moonwalker" Moontasri (7-1). Moontasri, a late replacement, came out brimming with confidence and challenged Ellenberger to stand and exchange punches. Ellenberger obliged but this would be a mistake as "Moonwalker" landed a hard uppercut that rocked "Excalibur." This fight was very much one of momentum as Moontasri landed the harder shots in the first round while Ellenberger controlled the second; "Moonwalker" was bleeding profusely from his nose and Ellenberger's right eye was closed shut. The fight appeared to hang in the balance as the final stanza began. "Excalibur" pushed Moontasri to the cage fence as Ellenberger was exhausted. Moontasri was able to land a few punches and elbows to the side of his opponent's head. Neither man clearly controlled the round: Ellenberger was the aggressor but was not successful with his attack. "Moonwalker" landed more shots in the round but Ellenberger was somehow awarded a split decision victory. Convicted Artist Magazine scored it 29-28 for James Moontasri.
The action continued with middleweights when Clint "Headbussa" Hester (10-3) and Antonio Braga Neto (9-1) faced off in the UFC Octagon. Brazilian Neto's tactic was clear from the start: take dangerous American striker Hester to the ground and look for submission opportunities. The Brazilian worked hard to accomplish this early on as "Headbussa" defended well. Neto was able to secure a takedown but the American kept his composure and would not expose his back to his foe. The Brazilian ended the round still seeking a submission but looked spent as he expounded a lot of energy in the first. The American took the center of the Octagon in the second and began to land hard fistic strikes that hurt Neto. The Brazilian attempted a takedown midway through the round but "Headbussa" defended well; Hester managed his own takedown but the Brazilian turned the tables and ended on top. Hester was at a disadvantage but was defending and landed elbows and punches whenever possible. The final go-round saw Hester going for the knockout as he winged vicious punches. Hester's body work paid dividends as his adversary appeared hurt. "Headbussa" slipped and the Brazilian immediately mounted and went back to looking for a submission. Hester was able to take the top position and land some ground-and-pound shots. In the end, Clint Hester won a hard fought split decision.
The third television bout saw featherweight Ricardo "The Bully" Lamas (13-3) battle Hacran Dias (21-2-1) in a three round scrap. Brazilian Dias and American Lamas engaged in an upright battle early as punches and kicks flew often. Dias focused his attack on the legs of Lamas as the Brazilian shot crushing leg kicks that resonated. Lamas retaliated with his own artillery which stunted Dias's aggression. The Brazilian regrouped and continued to come forward, looking to land punches to the head and kicks to the legs. The middle round saw Lamas, who is an accomplished wrestler, searching for takedowns but Dias defended perfectly on multiple occasions. The Brazilian stunned "The Bully" with a three punch combination which led to the American to body lock his nemesis in order to buy some time. Lamas began the last stanza with a back body lock and landed knees to the back leg area. "The Bully" went for a rear choke submission but Dias escaped. The Brazilian managed top position but neither fighter really controlled the round. There was a lot of grinding; Lamas landed more shots in the heat. "The Bully" received a unanimous decision victory, while Convicted Artist Magazine had it a draw.
The night continued with Cezar "Mutante" Ferreira (8-3) dueling against Andrew "Highlight" Craig (9-2) in the middleweight division. Brazilian "Mutante" wasted no time as he immediately took Texan Craig to the mat, looking for a D'Arce choke. The Texan was able to survive the attempt and came to his feet. The Brazilian south paw began to uncork his lethal left leg strikes which found the mark. Craig achieved a hard overhand right that hurt "Mutante." The Texan then unleashed a couple of right leg strikes that kept Ferreira at bay. After a powerful takedown by Ferreira, Craig quickly brought the fight vertical. The second salvo witnessed a striking match with the Texan having his moments against the patient Brazilian. Craig circled to his left while shooting jabs and the occasional right kick. Neither man clearly dominated the round. "Mutante" opened Craig's forehead up with a sharp elbow as the third began and took the Texan down hard. Ferreria then took the Texan's back. Craig, his face covered with blood, shot short fists strikes as he feverishly looked to avoid a rear naked choke submission. With less than a minute left, "Highlight" escaped and landed a hard kick to the head which deposited "Mutante" to the mat. The Brazilian quickly came to his feet and both men let the leather fly. The judges awarded Ferreria a unanimous decision victory.
The co-main event saw undefeated rising UFC American contender Kelvin Gastelum (9-0) take on dangerous Swedish striker Nicholas "Nico" Musoke (12-2) in a clash set for three heats in the welterweight division. Gastelum, who failed to make weight, ate some hard punches from Musoke early. The Swedish pressure fighter showed solid striking ability. Musoke took Gastelum down hard and took a full back mount, securing the body lock. Gastelum avoided choke submissions but could not get the Swedish powerhouse. Standup told the tale early in the second with Gastelum taking the early advantage. Musoke was able to stabilize and went to working his jab. The American focused on the body of Musoke which led to the Swedish fighter to drop his hands. Gastelum kept the pressure on landing kicks to the midsection and punches to the head and body. Musoke landed the occasional counter, but the American dominated the round. The Swedish fighter took Gastelum to the mat as the last round opened but the American came to his feet. Musoke took a back body lock but could not manage a takedown. The boxing match resumed as the American came forward with looping shots. Musoke, looking exhausted, attempted to mount some offense, but seemed too weak to be effective. The Swedish combatant was bloodied and bruised as the final bell rang. Kelvin Gastelum earned a unanimous decision.
The last prizefight of the night was a five round match between featherweights Cub Swanson (20-5) locking horns with Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens. Swanson's energy was evident early as he struck with kicks and punches with lightning speed. Swanson constantly moved and switched his guard from conventional to south paw and back which kept Stephens confused. Stephens landed a hard right late in the round but Swanson immediately went back movement. Stephens detonated a hard right counter as the round ended. Stevens standup was better in the second; his straight right began to land with consistency. Swanson was not as frenetic with his motion which led to opportunities by his opponent. Swanson roared back into control in the third as he followed up a devastating body kick with a barrage of hard shots which had Stephens ready to go. "Lil' Heathen" survived but would not completely rebound from this as Swanson also dominated the fourth and almost had Stephens out in the fifth on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Sergio L. Martinez
www.convictedartist.com
