Total-MMA.com

by Tommy Hackett

DISCUSS THIS STORY IN THE TOTAL-MMA.COM FORUMS

If you’re like me, you’ve always wanted to like Bob Sapp in his Mixed Martial Arts career.

If you’re at all reasonable, you want that fighting career to end now.

Last night in Tacoma, WA, the former local football standout turned Japanese celebrity phenomenon offered his most dismal showing ever at Bodog Presents: StrikeForce at the Dome. Matched against mediocre South Africa kickboxer Jan Nortje, whose MMA record now rises to a sparkling two wins agianst five losses, Sapp went splat; lumbering around the ring before running into Nortje’s notoriously sloppy right hand.

Nortje showed nothing we didn’t already know. He’s big, and can really damage someone who stands in front of him helplessly. Sapp took the shot and buckled as the awkward assault began. Looking confused and fearful in front of his hometown crowd, “The Beast” began sinking to the canvas. The bout was halted just 55 seconds into the first round.

It was a sad moment for the previously raucous 7,429-strong Tacoma Dome crowd, eager to get a taste of glory that Sapp’s University of Washington Huskies rarely muster these days. The always charismatic and engaging Sapp has given a lot to the sport, including being gracious enough to offer one of this site’s most memorable interviews (see parts one, two, and three). It’s mentioned in the piece that here’s many other avenues for Sapp to explore. Let’s hope he does that.

In the co-feature, a 46 year old Maurice Smith took down another legend of American heavweight kickboxing in 40 year old Rick “Jet” Roufus, and then applied a straight armlock for the win at 1:53 of round one. More than 10 years removed from his UFC title reign, Seattle’s Smith appeared calm and confident against his opponent, a pure striker who lacked any MMA experience.

Perhaps it was easy to see Smith’s every thought because he was moving so slowly. To be fair, I am certain that I will not look as good as Smith when I am 46; but I am equally confident in stating I never want to see him fight again, either. “Big Mo” looked breathless after less than a minute of tepid action and the end of the bout couldn’t come quickly enough. For his part, Wisconsin’s Roufus looked lost from bell to bell.

The undercard was spotty but offered some highlights.

Just 22 seconds into their middleweight bout, Cory Debela from nearby Bonney Lake scored a spectacular T/KO against UFC veteran Joe Riggs with a hip throw off an underhook. Riggs, who came from Phoenix, Arizona all the way to Tacoma ( I’m sorry, that was going through my head all fight), tapped out shortly after a brutal impact and was actually stretchered off. Best wishes to him.

American Top Team’s Jorge Masvidal and Team Quest’s Ryan Healey combined for some strong standup exchanges early in their catchweight (160 pounds) fight, but Healey struggled as the fight moved to the ground. As this weakness became evident, Masvidal’s better takedowns would help earn him a safe but slow victory via unanimous decision over the Portland, OR native. The bout wasn’t spectacular as hoped, but it was a nice enough bout from two solid young fighters from two of the best camps in the world.

A native of Yelm, WA (a town famous for… absolutely nothing), Eddie Ellis began his fight confidently against Steve Berger, answering the crowd’s chants with a variety of punches and kicks. His assault slowed as the fight continued, and Berger secured an omoplata leading to some solid strikes which may have stolen the second round. But a slow ground assault clearly won Ellis the final stanza, and the judges’ decision in his favor was an easy one to call.

Lyle Beerbohm, sporting trunks that appeared to have their origins at a G.L.O.W. (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) liquidation sale in 1987, outwrestled Ray Perales before catching him in a guillotine choke at 1:19 of the third round of their welterweight match.

Jimmy Lemmon Jr reminded the crowd of Seattle area’s proud heritage in the martial arts when the night began, briefly mentioning the MMA-style smokers that Matt Hume was involved with prior to the inception of the UFC. It’s unclear whether or not the local fighters featured on the undercard will continue to develop and build upon that tradition. What’s for certain is that the guys on the top of the card will not.

Full results:

Jan Nortje def. Bob Sapp at 0:55 of Rd. 1 by TKO/ punches

Cory Devela def. Joe Riggs at 1:22 of Rd. 1 via submission (tapout following a throw)

Maurice Smith def. Rick Roufus at 1:53 of Rd. 1 by submission (straight armlock — note that this is incorrectly being reported as Kimura on other sites)

Eddy Ellis defeated Steve Berger via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Jorge Masvidal defeated Ryan Healy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Mychal Clark defeated Josh Bennett at 5:00 of Rd. 2 via T/KO (doctor stoppage due to a cut over Bennett’s eye)

Lyle Beerbohm defeated Ray Perales at 1:19 of Rd. 3 via submission (guillotine choke)

Mike Hayes defeated Matt Kovacs via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Zach Skinner defeated Scott Shaffer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Nathan Coy defeated Dave Courchaine at 1:46 of Rd. 1 via knockout (punches)

Total-MMA would like to thank StrikeForce for an always professional production. Credit also goes to the Seattle Times for the attendance figure, and my good friend Chris for the GLOW joke.