RENO, Nevada, Oct. 29 — The “Biggest Little City in the World” played host to King Of Cage on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at the Reno Convention Center. The main event saw Takumi Nakayama (Pictures) surrender his lightweight championship belt to a very dominant Mac Danzig (Pictures).
Round one opened with an incredible display of stand-up abilities by both fighters, but Danzig seemed to beat Nakayama to every punch. Nakayama attempted to take Danzig down from the clinch — which proved to be nearly impossible.
Danzig reversed Nakayama in the clinch and scored a huge takedown that wowed the crowd. Round one came to an end with Danzig putting on a textbook ground-and-pound clinic.
The second saw much of the same work from the clinch. Takayama was able to trip Danzig, but unable to keep him down. Danzig reversed Nakayama again and once more rained down blows.
The third round began with a flurry of punches by both, which ended with Danzig securing a Muay Thai clinch that set up a series of knees to Nakayama’s head that left him reeling. Sensing how badly his opponent was hurt, Danzig threw the leather at a fevered pace. This left Nakayama in a bloody state of confusion and his corner threw in the towel, thus crowning Mac Danzig (Pictures) the new KOTC lightweight champion.
Lion’s Den fighter Richard Montoya (Pictures) squared off with striker Aaron Brink. The opening moments of round one saw a struggle for position from the clinch, which ended with Montoya sinking a guillotine choke that stopped Brink at the 1:55 mark.
Current KOTC bantamweight champion Urijah Faber (Pictures) defended his belt against scrappy up-and-comer Shawn Bias (Pictures). Unable to capitalize on his reach advantage, Bias was taken down by Faber in a wrestling display that left Faber upside down on the sitting Bias’ back. Bias attempted to shake the crafty champion, which left Faber in a position to sink a guillotine choke and end the fight at 1:24 into the first round.
The very tall Jason Wiess faced Ruben Villarreal (Pictures). Much of this fight took place against the cage with “Warpath” attempting a guillotine that seemingly had little affect on Wiess. Realizing he was not making much headway with the choke, “Warpath” put Wiess to the ground were he proceeded to pound him into submission at the 3:52 mark of round one.
Buddy Clinton (Pictures) warred with Japan’s Takefumi Hanai. The first two rounds played out like a battle between rival Pit Bulls. Both fighters threw everything they had, including a Takefumi “double spinning reverse heel kick.” The Japanese fighter was able to get off first, and eventually knocked out the battle-weary Clinton.
In other action Jamie Jara defeated Joe Cota (Pictures) by split decision; Dan Molina (Pictures) submitted Phil Garcia (Pictures) via ankle lock at 1:13 of round one; Ryan Healy armbarred Adam Torres (Pictures) at 3:50 in round one; and Aaron Jameson caught Steven Thames with a guillotine choke at 1:12 of the first.