Unfinished business it was. With their second showing on CBS, EliteXC showed that sometimes you do get a second chance to make a good impression.
Robbie Lawler def. Scott Smith via TKO (strikes) - Second Round
After a short feeling-out process, this fight picked up pretty much where the first one left off. Lawler looked to find his range, and tried some high kicks. The two exchanged kicks, Smith landed the better one.
They clinched against the cage, exchange knees. Lawler knocked Smith back with some punches, but didn't jump on him. Round closed with an exchange.
The second round started, and Lawler went for a Superman punch. Smith landed some big shots and Lawler looked stunned, but he regained his composure and reset. Some clinchfighting, and Smith cut Lawler on the top of his head. Lawler landed some heavy leather, and Smith fell.
Lawler pounced and tried to finish. Smith got back up and got dropped by knees. Lawler pounded him until the fight was stopped.
Nick Diaz def. Thomas Denny via TKO (strikes) - Second Round
Round began and Denny got started in a hurry. It was a stand-up war and Denny got the better of it, until a clinch led to the ground. Diaz grabbed a kimora, and Denny worked out of it.
The fighters stood back up and exchanged in a clinch. Diaz did some good bodywork, and Denny looked hurt. The two went toe-to-toe until Diaz dropped Denny and tried to finish him off before the round ended. Denny survived.
Round two opened, and Diaz made short work of Denny. He put him down again, and Denny stayed down this time.
Jake Shields def. Nick Thompson via submission (guillotine choke) - First Round
Round opened and Shields threw a kick, shot in for a takedown, and gained full mount with relative ease. Thompson tried to push off the cage to escape, but Shields was able to keep mount and secure a guillotine choke. Thompson tapped. Shields won.
Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos def. Shayna Baszler via TKO (strikes) - Second Round
In typical Chute Boxe fashion, Santos rushed out guns-a-blazing. Baszler secured a takedown and went for a leg. Baszler held the leg and Santos tried to strike. Baszler rolled to guard, and Santos stood back up. Santos landed some kicks, and Baszler went for the leg again. Santos finished on top.
The second round opened, and Santos looked to clinch. Baszler tried to secure a takedown, and Santos landed some kicks. Santos backed Baszler up with some hard strikes and a knee, then dropped her with a combo.
Santos thought the fight was over and ran to the opposite side of the cage and jumped onto the cage to celebrate. When she jumped down, the ref let her know that it wasn't over yet, and that Baszler wanted to continue. After a brief exchange, Santos dropped Baszler again, this time for good.
Other results from Showtime card
Antonio Silva def. Justin Eilers via TKO
Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante def. Travis Galbraith via TKO
Wilson Reis def. Bryan Caraway via unanimous decision
Random Thoughts
It was a much, much better job on this show than the first. The announcing team sounded pretty decent, minus some lame jokes from Ranallo. Gus Johnson did a pretty good job, and Shamrock wasn't irritating.
The entrances were short, no dancing girls, and no dead space. Also, no quick stoppages. They even let Baszler get KO'd twice!
This was my first time seeing Jake Shields fight, and I'm still waiting to see Jake Shields fight. I can't tell much about his game from that one, because I'm not sure if he was just that good or was Thompson just that bad.
He did call out the winner of GSP/Fitch, so he at least he does have some lofty ambitions.
The best fight of the night, hands down, was the ladies. I'm continually impressed by how hard the ladies bring it. Baszler took a beatdown, but she never gave up and never gave in.
She went out on her shield like a true warrior. I can't wait to see Cyborg fight Carano. That should be explosive.
The main event didn't disappoint. It picked up right where the first fight left off, and ended the way I thought the first fight would have. Shamrock/Lawler anyone?
Diaz picked up a win in his hometown, but he didn't impress me much. I think, early on, Denny landed some good shots, and had that been Noons, he would have kept landing those shots, over and over.
Aside from the interview, no real Kimbo hype. Maybe they realize his 15 minutes will be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
All in all, it was a pretty darn good show, especially for free.
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