Hell from Hawaii
Derek Campos vs. Keoni Diggs
Lightweight Fight
Keoni Diggs absolutely ran this fight from start to finish. Got his shots in, but seriously ran things on the ground. Diggs appeared to be able to do everything but end the fight, and he proved that wrong as well. Diggs said he wanted to make a name for himself, this was a hell of a first step.
Rating: 8.5/10
Result: 3rd Round Technical Submission for Keoni Diggs
Enter Stage Right
Liz Carmouche vs. Deanna Bennett
Women’s Flyweight Fight
Carmouche had something to live up to here, as she was making her Bellator debut the night after Cat Zingano did. Carmouche certainly lived up to it and more, as she actually got a finish. Liz certainly had control of the fight, and she made Bennett look inexperienced. Carmouche seemed to get a finish because she wanted to, not because she had to. Climbing your opponent’s back for a rear naked choke is always a great way to make an impression.
Rating: 7.5/10
Result: 3rd Round Submission for Liz Carmouche
Gloves Up, Gloves Down
Jon Fitch vs. Neiman Gracie
Welterweight Fight
Gracie had control in this fight the whole time, the first round went exactly how Gracie wanted, right to the ground and stayed there. The second round didn’t last, as Gracie worked Fitch into a position to lock in a kneebar and that’s all we needed. After the fight, Jon Fitch took his gloves off and put them down on the canvas, which signifies his retirement. Gracie even let Fitch do an interview after the fight, which is not customary for the losing fighter. Fitch got an ovation from those working in the arena.
Rating: 7.5/10
Result: 2nd Round Submission for Neiman Gracie
Main Event
Conquistador Champion
Bantamweight Championship Fight
Juan Archuleta vs. Patchy Mix
This fight truly was two different stories, in the first two rounds it was all Mix. Patchy seemed to know how to get on his back and try to work a submission while getting decent hits. The 3rd and 4th were different, much more standup oriented, and Archuleta seemed to thrive in that environment. Archuleta complained of an eye poke and we had a ref stoppage for an “illegal kick” all in the 4th. The call for the kick was that the ref believed that Mix wasn’t back to his feet all the way before Archultea threw it. Mix started talking trash during the fight to Archultea and appeared to try to be taunting him to come after him. Mix’s frustration was noticeable in the later rounds. Neither fighter seemed to have enough to go for a KO after Archuleta got Mix up against the cage in the last 90 seconds of the fight.
Rating: 8.5/10
Result: Unanimous Decision for Juan Archuleta
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