David Bielkheden vs Jess "The Joker" Liaudin is next. Business is about to pick up.
Neither guy is really popular in Birmingham.
Bielkheden gets a takedown on Liaudin early. The Joker is backpedalling into the cage trying to use it to get back up, while the Swede fighting out of Brazil tries to pull him back into the center of the octagon. Liaudin eats a knee getting up and is taken back down. More knees - and I'm pretty sure at least half of those weren't legal. Referee Kevin Mullhall didn't care. Bielkheden gets another takedown and they trade submission attempts. Takedown number three for the Swede. Power punches by both men when they get back to their feet, and Bielkheden drops down to try a takedown. He ends up on his back with Liaudin in his guard. Liaudin hits a few punches from the guard and some elbows as well. Strong finish for the former Frenchman but it wasn't enough in my opinion to take it. 10-9 Bielkheden.
Another big takedown from Bielkheden to start the round. Liaudin has a high guard briefly to control the Swede. Shoulder lock by Liaudin but Dave B. spins out. Liaudin is winded. And he is taken back down again. Armbar attempt by Liaudin from the guard but he eats a big punch that changes his mind. Liaudin is showing a great active guard at this point, trying elbows, shoulder locks and even a triangle. Bielkheden is back in Liaudin's half guard and the ref stands them up. Takedown by Bielkheden is reversed and Liaudin ends up on top. Good defense by Bielkheden with 30 seconds to go. Liaudin isn't connecting with much. And that's the end of the round. 10-9 Bielkheden but not by much.
Liaudin needs to do something big now if he doesn't want to drop another one. Bielkheden shoots and gets another takedown that Liaudin tried to prevent by grabbing the fence. Ref calls him on it. At least he knows THIS is illegal. Liaudin tries to work a high guard, presumably to get a triangle but he is cut bigtime and eating elbows and punches. David Bielkheden is going to town on him. Liaudin lets out a big scream and the ref briefly halts the action to check if he's alright. Apparently, he tried to motivate himself. Ref stands them up and the Swede goes right for another takedown. Liaudin is working for a Kimura and close to getting it with ten seconds remaining in the fight. 10-9 Bielkheden.
This should be an easy 30-27 decision for David Bielkheden.
And the official decision is 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 for David Bielkheden.
Shane Carwin vs Neil Wain is next, and this is one I've been looking forward to for a long time.
They're running low on time already so the guys aren't even getting walk-ins.
Shane Carwin is not popular in Birmingham which comes as no surprise. I have a feeling they won't like the outcom of the fight.
Both guys are throwing bombs and Carwin wants no more of them. He shoots in low and gets a takedown. Side mount by Carwin, and the punishment begins. Wain is bleeding already. Full mount by Carwin. He is going Donkey Kong on Wain's head. And it's over. Referee stops the fight.
Official time: 1:31 minutes of the first round.  |