LAVAL, Quebec, Canada, Jan. 28 — The Colisee de Laval played host to TKO 24 and in the main event super lightweight champion Mark Hominick (Pictures) defended his title against Pancrase veteran Naoji Fujimoto (Pictures).
On a number of occasions Fujimoto managed to secure a leg and work for the submission, however Hominick did well at nullifying his opponent’s ground game, dropping him with a right straight at the end of round one.
By round two it was evident that with every failed takedown Fujimoto's will was fading as the champion punished him with vicious ground-and-pound and even at one point attempted an armbar. With every minute that ticked by, Hominick's confidence grew as much as Fujimoto's diminished. And in the third the accumulation of punishment was just too much.
After yet another failed Fujimoto takedown, Hominick sunk in the rear-naked choke, which forced referee Yves Lavigne to call a halt to the bout 2:23 of round three.
At the post-fight press conference it was announced that Hominick would make his UFC debut on March 4 against an unknown opponent as a part of the U.S.A. versus Canada card.
In another super lightweight tilt, Californian Urijah Faber (Pictures) met fellow top-five fighter Ivan Menjivar (Pictures) in what was expected to be the fight of the night.
The first round did not disappoint as both competitors refused to give an inch. Throughout the first stanza both Faber and the El Salvadorian Menjivar exchanged knees, punches and takedowns, including a failed suplex by Menjivar.
In this reporter’s eyes, no fighter gained a clear edge on the scorecard after the opening five minutes.
Round two saw much of the same with both fighters looking to impose their will on the other. After a well-placed Menjivar knee in the clinch he attempted another suplex, which Faber was able to scoot out of.
Menjivar launched a kick to his downed opponent and blood began to stream down the right side of Faber’s face — it was unclear to many in attendance whether or not the cut came as a result of the foul committed by Menjivar or occurred earlier on.
The ringside doctor was called in to check the cut, but it was deemed to be too severe for Faber to continue and the “California Kid” was subsequently awarded the victory by disqualification.
Post fight, Faber commented that he was unsure as to when the cut occurred during the bout.
Lightweights Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and Dave Parizeau (Pictures), two of TKO's up-and-coming stars, faced off in the sixth bout of the evening and showed everyone in the arena why they are so highly touted.
After the opening bell Parizeau connected with a well-timed and well-placed right hand to the Horodecki’s jaw. "The Polish Hammer" acknowledged with a smile and a nod. Horodecki managed the first takedown, but found himself in a world of trouble defending a Kimura precariously close to the ropes.
Just as Parizeau seemed to lock it up, Horodecki spun out just enough to cause himself and Parizeau to go through the ropes, resulting in the mandatory stand-up.
Again, Horodecki was successful in getting the takedown, but this time he began unleashing shot after shot on the supine Parizeau, who inevitably gave up his back. The referee was forced to call a stop at 2:48 of round one and Horodecki kept his perfect record intact.
BTT Canada's Fabio Holanda (Pictures) was set to face UFC veteran Rich Clementi (Pictures) in a lightweight test. However, Holanda's inability to make weight at the 155-lb. limit saw this fight happen at 163 and he was forced to forfeit 20 percent of his purse to Clementi.
It was truly a tale of two game plans, as Holanda looked to go to the ground while Clementi wanted to bang. Holanda managed to open up a cut under Clementi’s left eye after taking the New Orleans native down. Numerous occasions saw Holanda in his comfort area on the ground working for submissions, yet it was Clementi who appeared to be closest with an attempted heel hook.
As the fight moved into rounds two and three, Holanda was quite clearly slowing down, often taking his time to stand back up when ordered to do so by the referee. Possibly sensing Holanda's heart was not quite in it, Clementi sealed the deal in round three, initiating the takedown and putting the BTT Canada representative on his back where the American began to hammer down on Holanda.
Seeing no effort to by Holanda to defend, the referee had no choice but to call an end to things at the 4:20 mark of round three for the man they call "No Love.”
Martin Desilets (Pictures) and Ricardeau Francois (Pictures) were disqualified after both corners rushed the ring at the end of round one. It appears as though Desilets took exception to a late shot from Francois.
Jay Estrada defeated Samuel Guillet (Pictures) by TKO at the five-minute mark of round two.
Damacio Page wins by KO over Stephane Vigneault (Pictures) at 1:20 of round one.
Brian Schall stopped Krysztof Soszynski (Pictures) at 3:00 of round three.