Straus vs. Curran III Recap
By Zach Heim, RCM MMA Correspondent- Ringside
Hammond, IN (March 15th, 2014)– It was a great night of fights here in Hammond, IN. As Bellator rolled in with Straus v Curran 3. In the first fight of the night Daniel James was able to start of his pro career with a second round TKO of fellow Chicago resident Eric Correa. In the second fight of the night put Jason Guida against Anthony Gomez at a catch weight of 215 lbs. In one of the more uneventful fights I have seen in Bellator Jason Guida took a beating losing the fight by unanimous decision. (30-26; 30-27; 30-27) Next we saw Derek Loffer go at it with Bobby Reardanz. Loffer fought his way to a unanimous decision against a bloody Reaedanz. (30-27; 30- 27; 30-27) Darrion Caldwell and Lance Surma were next up. Darrion was able to earn his 4 career victory with a first round submission victory over Surma. A.J. Matthews took the cage next to square off with Belal Muhammad. They fought pretty evenly to the distance with Belal Muhammad taking the unanimous decision. (29-28; 29-28; 29-28) Then they opened up the Welter weight tournament with Paul Bradly facing off with Nathan Coy. Both completers went at it on the feet most of the fight. Nathan Cay was able to move on in the tournament with a unanimous decision victory. (30-27; 30-27; 30-27)
We kicked off the main card with a Welter weight tournament opening bout between Adam McDonough and Jesse Juarez. It was an explosive first round with both fighter coming out with hard leg kicks until Juarez was able to score a take down and work into an arm triangle. McDonough was able to kick off the cage to break the hold. McDonough was able to work into top position eventually moving to mount and staying there until the end of round one. The fighters came out swinging in the second but Juarez slipped and McDonough was able to take advantage with front position and then moving into half guard. When the fighters got back to their feet Jesse threw some head kicks but missed on both attempts slipping on the last so he shot in for a double but wasn’t able to complete it by the end to round number two. McDonough swept Juarez with a low inside leg kick and immediately to his back. He rode Juarez’s back for most of the third round working for a rear naked chock. Jesse was able to get out of a bad spot and take McDonough’s back with 2 minutes left in the final round. With just 20 seconds left in the fight McDonough got back to top position and finish the fight working his ground and pound. Adam McDonough moved on in the tournament with a unanimous decision victory over Jesse Juarez. (29-28; 29-28; 29-28)
Sam Oropeza and Cristiano Souza went toe to toe in another opening round welterweight tournament bout. It was a chest match with each exchanging position against the cage and then with about a minute to go in the round Sam Oropeze dropped the hammer with a huge shot putting Souza on the mat helpless as Oropeze bombarded him with punches until referee Rob Madrigal stopped the fight. Sam Oropeza will move on in the welterweight tournament with the win.
Nah-Shon Burrell took the cage next to do battle with Andrey Koreshkov in the last welterweight tournament match of the night. The fighters came out and traded leg kicks for all of 30 seconds until Koreshkov landed a huge kick right under Burrell’s left around sending him to the mat. Koreshkov swarmed with punches finishing the fight in less than 45 seconds moving him to the next round in the welterweight tournament.
Then came the culmination of a war between Champion Daniel Straus and the man he took the belt from former Champion Pat Curran. Curran took the first fight knocking Straus out in the second round, Straus was able to counter that win with a five round war when he won the belt from Curran at Bellator 106. Slow start to the first round until Straus slipped while throwing a head kick and Curran was able to capitalize and hit Straus with a knee as he was standing up and Straus tried for a double but Curran got top position. The Champion worked his way back to his feet and was able to avoid some takedown attempts by the challenger. Straus looked to have a tight Dars choke in but Curran was able to get out by the end of the round. There were fireworks in the second round with Straus coming out and dropping Curran right off the bat. Curran in true warrior sprit recovered very quick and the exchanged blows for the rest of the round. This fight just keeps getting better. All I can say is WOW! Pat controlled the first part of the round but Straus fought back and took control in the second half of the round. HOLLY COW when you think it can’t get any better it does. These two Champions traded positions for the entire round. These two are MORE then AMAZING. Daniel Straus Pat Curran going toe to toe for the belt in round five. Trading blows when one lands the other answers. Pat Curran was able to lock in a rea naked choke Straus held on for almost a minute and had to tap with only 19 seconds left in the fight. Guys I am a Daniel Straus fan and I am NOT mad he lost. That was the GREATEST fight I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Pat Curran leaves with the belt but I believe both will leave with their heads held high.
You can follow all that is Bellator on Twitter @bellatormma and you can follow RCM MMA Correspondent Zach Heim on Twitter @Zheim82
COMMENTS
English