Matt Horwich. Photo: Publicity
The inaugural War on the Mainland event this Saturday in Irvine, California, featured a title fight right off the bat.
In the battle for the belt between former UFC fighter Thales Leites and former champion of the now-defunct IFL event Matt Horwich, the André Pederneiras student dominated the first three rounds and looked to be on his way to winning when the American turned things around in the fourth round when a standup exchange ended with Horwich taking the fight to the ground and quickly latching a rear-naked choke on the unwary Thales, who tapped out at the 44-second mark.
In a bout between ex-UFC fighters, Paul Buentello took on former champion Tim Sylvia in a great fight. The “Mainiac” showed his boxing and came up with the knockout with a second-round uppercut. Now the winner is tipped to face another former UFC fighter, Pedro Rizzo.
Jiu-Jitsu coach to Strikeforce beasts Cris and Evangelista Cyborg, Cleber Luciano imposed his slick ground game on Todd Willingham coming up with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Now Gustavo Ximu had his work cut out for him, but eked out a split decision win.
Check out the complete results:
War on the Mainland
Irvine, California
Saturday August 14, 2010
Tim Sylvia knocked out Paul Buentello in R2
Matt Horwich submitted Thales Leites via rear-naked choke in R4
Tony Lopez knocked out Jason Lambert
Diego Garijo submitted Jens Pulver via guillotine
Terry Martin defeated Jorge Ortiz via split decision
Gustavo Ximu defeated Rick Reeves via split decision
Erin Beach defeated João Silva via unanimous decision
Cleber Luciano submitted Todd Willingham via rear-naked choke in R2
A.J. Mathews defeated Sean Choice via technical knockout
(Collaborator: Junior Samurai)