Bellator Fighting Championships 73 took Harrah’s Hotel and Casino by storm, Friday August 24. An explosive championship bout, championship eliminators and a full card delivered exhilarating MMA action to fight fans.
MemphisMMA.com was there and round-by-round action was captured by reporter JC Martin. Read more »
by Micheal Sheffield @ Ringside, Photos by JD Meredith
Two impressive young fighters stole the show from a former 2 time heavyweight champion on a hot and rainy north Mississippi Saturday night. The six fights, dubbed “TNT at the DCC,” featured former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, but would be remembered for two fighters (one of whom left with a title) that could be future champions themselves.
17-year old Washington D.C.-native Dusty Harrison would display tremendous poise and skill against Welterweight Alphonso Alexander (0-3) in his professional debut. Touted as the youngest professional fighter in the United States, Harrison would immediately win over the slightly wary crowd by not wasting punches in the first round. He wasn’t over-active, but whenever he threw, Harrison landed loud, punishing shots that echoed through the arena and elicited “oohs” from the crowd. Alexander wasn’t impressed, choosing to trash talk his younger opponent throughout the fight. It was an interesting tactic because Harrison seemed to choose a different side of the ring to dominate throughout the fight’s four rounds, while Alexander was little more than a trash-talking heavy bag. Harrison was impressive and the crowd appreciated his efforts, which would result in him taking a unanimous decision, 40-36 on the judges’ scorecards.
By Scotti Vandevender – Fightnews.com
Marvin Hunt (10-10, 3 KOs) gave away almost 40 pounds Saturday night to Ray Lunsford (16-4-1, 11 KOs), but that didn’t stop him from having his way all night. Hunt used his evasiveness and powerful left jab to control Lunsford throughout the fight.
Hunt began inflicting damage on Lunsford early on. By the end of the bout Lunsford’s countenance was red and swollen. His face and its expression told as much of the story as the judges scorecards. Hunt was in much better shape and was able to keep pressure all night; whereas, Lunsford appeared to tire early and fought gasping for breath most of the night.
Choko Soundly Defeats Davalos!
Brian Young must have been on cloud nine after signing the powerful Ann Wolfe to his stable of fighters and then watching his fighter flyweight Ivan Hernandez (16-0-1, 10 KOs). Hernandez continued to look extremely impressive with his sharp punching and high work level, easily outpointing an extremely game Arturo Davalos (9-10-1, 4 KOs) at Sams Town Casino in Tunica, MS Saturday night.
From the opening bell Hernandez took charge with his speed and accuracy. Throughout the early rounds Hernandez proved the aggressor, displaying ample punching power and accuracy with both hands. Booming lefts to Davalos ribcage and hammering right hooks to Davalos chin, Hernandez took charge early and seldom showed signs of letting up.
By the fifth and sixth rounds Hernandezs left hooks and uppercuts began finding their target on Davalos body. Then in round six Hernandez thundered a left hook to the skull followed by another to the body that immediately dropped Davalos. Davalos uprighted himself, clearly pained by the shot to the ribs. Hugging his right elbow tight to stove away further blows, Davalos valiantly continued to fight.
But, Hernandez closed the show with an eighth round that featured him firing numerous shotgun jabs to Davalos face. As the bell echoed the close of the bout, the crowd stood in standing ovation, a testament to Hernandezs display of skill and the shear will of Davalos to continue to fight.
Johnson Hammers Horn!
Norman Johnson (3-11-1) constantly slipped through the defenses of Nashville native Dana Horn (1-1, 1 KO) en route to a dominating victory. Horn began to get hit early on and a heavy right hand sent Horn on his back as his head slammed the canvas. Horn arose wobbly and performed his best Mickey Ward impersonation, raising his hands and plodding forward from sheer instinct and will.
Johnson would slip in again and send Horn to the floor once more in the third round. Horn never appeared to recover from his initial knockdown but valiantly continued to come forward looking to land his right hand to no avail.
Brawler Alexander Beats Ibanez! (1/26/04)
By Scotti Vandevender – Fightnews.com
Lana Alexander (2-3, 1 KO) took charge early over Tiffani Ibanez (1-1) by landing solid punches. Ibanez battled back at the end of round two and throughout round three, but Alexander stepped things up by finishing strong and earning a unanimous decision.
Hubinger Starts with A Bang!
Prize Fight Boxing introduced light heavyweight newcomer Adam Hubinger (1-0, 1 KO) as he debuted against journeyman TC James (5-17, 3 KOs). Hubinger began by landing a heavy right had that briefly stunned James. James continued by wildly swinging and exchanging in the center of the ring, head-butting Hubinger in the process. Hubinger chased James into the ropes, stunning him with a hard right hand that forced referee Paul Seda to perform a standing eight count.
Hubinger began round two with swelling budding over his right eye. But, during a storm of punches a heavy right hand blasted James into the ropes and down to the canvas. Hubinger then struck again with a left-right combo that paralyzed James as he fell limp into the ropes. Referee Paul Seda immediately waved the bout over at :43 into round two.
Browning Wins Again!
In a female super bantamweight bout, Samantha Browning (3-0, 2 KOs) continued her dominance with a TKO win over Marla Roberson (0-2). Browning dominated round one and Roberson never answered the bell for round two. Browning began her career with a win against Tonya Harding on the Tyson-Etienne undercard at the Pyramid last year.
