Total fighting Alliance produced an action packed card Saturday night at the Pyramid Long Beach Ca – As expected the Total fighting Alliance produced an action packed card Saturday night at the Pyramid and although the main event did not include a title fight that did not stop Jeff Martin (4-3) and Ray Cox (2-1) from putting on one hell of a show. As each entered the ring both looked focused as both knew a win that night could put them in line for a title shot some where down the road.
Although Martin would use his jiu-jitsu skills to catch the stronger Cox in a rear naked choke, it would not come easily as Cox for most of the fight would be the aggressor putting Martin consistently in bad positions. Martin however would be patient as he would on several occasions scramble to his knees and feet before slugging it out with his opponent. In the second however Martin seeing his opponent was tired would put the pressure on and shoot in for a takedown before immediately taking his back. From the back mount Martin would waste no time and sink in the rear naked choke that would force Cox to tap just 26 seconds in.
In the co main event of the night Anthony Ferguson (2-0) would keep his winning streak alive using his grappling skills to control his opponent Joe Schilling (1-1) for most of the fight. Aside from a few strikes and a reversal that came late in the first round Schilling would find himself playing defense against Ferguson’s ground and pound attack. In the second after taking several hard blows from within the mount position he would turn to his belly giving Ferguson the opportunity to end the fight using the rear naked choke.
In a 200lbs match up that would end in a vicious arm break, Paul Karsky (7-11-1) would take on Sean “The destroyer” Loeffler (19-3). For 35 seconds Karsky and Loeffler would grapple on their feet and on the floor before Karsky would attempt a lateral throw from within the clinch position. As both would land Loeffler would have his elbow dislocated from Karsky’s weight coming down on it that would force the ref to call the fight giving Karsky the TKO victory.
Stepping into the cage Saturday fresh off his Long Beach Fight Night victory, Karen Darabedyan (2-1) would use his judo skills to defeat Deathrow team fighter Jared Papaziah (2-0). As the bell would ring Darabedyan would be relentless with his attack using the takedown to set up side control and his strikes before transitioning to the mount then to back mount before finishing the fight via rear naked choke just past the midway point of round one.
In a Welterweight contest crowd favorite Jason Cordero (3-3) would take on team Wildman fighter Dominic Verdugo (3-2). In true Team Wildman fashion Verdugo would use basic combinations to set up his vicious leg kicks that would eventually make the man simply known as Cordero crumble to the mat forcing the ref to stop the fight.
In a quick armbar victory Savak Magakian (2-2) fighting out of team Gokor took on new comer and Hardbody Fitness fighter John Lopez. Forty-four seconds is all Magakian needed to secure the takedown, position and submission that would send the Hardbody Fitness fighter back to the drawing board Saturday night.
In a battle of newcomers Southbay JJ fighter Jacob Wood would take on 10th planet and Eddie Bravo protégé Jared Carleston. Carleston as expected would use the guard effectively to secure a triangle/armbar submission that would have his opponent tapping out with just two seconds left in round one. In other action Trotter Sterling (0-1) would use a guillotine choke to defeat new comer and V-mat team fighter Eric Rogers.
Following that fight Subfighter team member Jason Carvajal made a successful début catching Jose Morales (0-1) in a triangle choke just 35 seconds into round one.
Finally on the card Eddie Mendez (0-0-1) would get his first professional win of his career as he would finish his opponent Daniel Grey (0-1) via ref stoppage with just 23 seconds left in the second round.