Ryan Jimmo made a
huge statement with a convincing victory at MFC 25: Vindication. Mike Froese dominated his fight but got caught via armbar late in the 1st round. Nybakken also suffered a decision loss via submission but fought his heart out.
In the night’s co-main event, Jimmo (13-1) surely shocked a number of
mixed martial arts pundits as he dominated Wilson Gouveia (12-8) en
route to a clear-cut unanimous decision. Jimmo showed his patented
counter-striking in Round 1 and then thoroughly applied the heat on
Gouveia in Round 2. Jimmo surprisingly took Gouveia down but instead of
being caught up in the Brazilian’s jiu-jitsu skills, Jimmo unleashed a
ferocious ground-and-pound assault. At one point, Jimmo had Gouveia
stacked up in a neutral corner and rained down countless strikes that
nearly forced referee John Braak to step in and stop bout. At the end
of the round, a battered and bruised Gouveia needed help returning to
his corner.
Jimmo continued to showcase a much more confident attack in Round 3,
and despite getting caught with a punch from Gouveia in the early
moments, he cruised to the win. A pair of judges gave Jimmo a 10-8
score in Round 2 and he finished with counts of 30-27, 30-26, 30-26 in
his favor. Jimmo, who now fights out of Edmonton, Alberta, was given a
huge ovation by the home-town crowd for the best performance of his
career - a result which has tabbed him as the front-runner for a shot
at the MFC light heavyweight title.
Chad Freeman vs. Mike Froese
Freeman lands a right to begin this rematch. Froese shoots in, picks up
and slams down Freeman landing in Freeman’s guard. Froese postures up
with big looping punches from inside the guard. Freeman stays busy with
elbows from the bottom while Froese tenderizes the body of Freeman.
Froese postures up again and lands a big shot. Freeman attempts a
triangle choke which is escaped by Frose who moves to side control
before taking his back. Freeman spins into Froese’s guard before
turning the table and taking his back. Freeman throws a leg over and
secures a slick armbar inducing the fight ending submission.
Chad Freeman defeats Mike Froese via Submission (Armbar) at 3:48 of Round 1
Jevon Marshall vs. Garret Nybakken
Round 1
Nybakken comes out strong knocking Marshall down with a heavy right
hand. Marshall quickly gets back to his feet. Nybakken shoots in for a
takedown but get’s caught in a guillotine attempt. Nybakken grabs a
single leg and secures the takedown landing in Marshall’s guard.
Marshall escapes back to his feet and the two fighters trade shots.
Nybakken clinches and lands some knees. Marshall responds with punches
and Nybakken shoots and lands a double leg takedown landing in the full
guard of Marshall. Marshall throws up a triangle attempt which is
easily escaped by Nybakken. Marshall sweeps Nybakken and ends up in
north/south position before Nybakken works back to half guard. Marshall
passes to side mount before transitioning to the back where he chips
away with punches until the bell sounds to end the round.
Top MMA News scores the round 10-9 for Nybakken
Round 2
Marshall opens the round with high kick that falls short of his target
followed up by a looping right that doesn’t connect. Marshall clinches
and lands a few knees. Marshall secures double underhooks and sinks in
a guillotine attempt. Marshall hammers on the body of Nybakken.
Nybakken responds by landing a single leg takedown and dragging
Marshall to the ground. Nybakken finally escapes the guillotine attempt
but is unable to get anything going on the ground as Marshall
continues controls the right wrist of Nybakken. Marshall throws up an
armbar attempt from the bottom which is fought off by Nybakken only to
be caught in a triangle attempt by Marshall which is defended and
survived until the end of the round. Top MMA News scores the round 10-9 for Marshall
Round 3
Marshall comes out firing on all cylinders with a big combo that rocks
Nybakken and sends him staggering back towards the ropes. Nybakken
shoots in and gets caught in a guillotine attempt. Nybakken escapes and
attempts a single leg takedown only to have it stuffed and Marshall
winds up in north/south before moving to the back and sinking in the
rear naked choke forcing Nybakken to tap out.
Jevon Marshall defeats Garret Nybakken via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:00 of Round 3