CONDOR FC.8 ~ HEIGHT OF DESTINY

CONDOR FC. 8 ~ HEIGHT OF DESTINY
01/05/09
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
959 fans

Opening Match - Takeshi Yamada [Kick Boxing - JAPAN] (5-8 Overall, 0-3 CONDOR) ~Versus~ Akira Kitaoka [Freestyle Wrestling - JAPAN] (1-3 Overall, 0-3 CONDOR)

Complete domination by Akira Kitaoka, who may have finally figured out his skills and tactics. Yamada opened up the first stanza with some nice jabs, but could do nothing as Akira Kitaoka shot in with a fierce takedown. From there Kitaoka sliced through Yamada's guard like butter before securing a jujigatame from the mount for the easy submission.

With four straight easy loses, one has to think the kickboxer Yamada is done in CONDOR...

Akira Kitaoka (2-3 Overall, 1-3 CONDOR) defeated Takeshi Yamada (5-9 Overall, 0-4 CONDOR) at 2'39 with a Jujigatame in the First Round.


Second Match - Andrew Brown [MMA - USA] (7-5 Overall, 0-1 CONDOR) ~Versus~ Kinshiro Murata [Muay Thai - JAPAN] (5-6 Overall, 0-1 CONDOR)

Both men attempt to counter punch in round one, with Brown attempting to counter Murata's flurries with singular strong attacks. Round two opens up much of the same before a grappling battle against the ropes begin. Neither man has the wrestling to control the other leading to a sloppy series of reversals against the ropes. Brown once again attempts to wrestle Murata into the ropes. Murata fights back spiritedly but ends up giving his back to Brown. Brown attempts a hilariously sloppy choke before Murata Judo throws him to the ground. Somehow in the ensuing scramble, Brown is able to counter Murata and take HIM down from his back. Fight ends with Brown unable to do anything on top of Murata.

Not the best showing by any means for either man. Should be Brown's decision however.

Andrew Brown (8-5 Overall, 1-1 CONDOR) defeated Kinshiro Murata (5-7 Overall, 0-2 CONDOR) by unanimous decision.

Third Match - Akashi "Tiger" Nakamura [Freestyle - JAPAN] (11-7 Overall, 1-3 CONDOR) ~Versus~ Shinjiro Sonoda [Nanto Seiken - JAPAN] (2-2 Overall, 2-2 CONDOR)

Nakamura fakes out Sonoda with jabs before shooting in, only to have Sonoda counter and take him down. From there, Nakamura uses a neutralizing guard to keep Sonoda from doing much of anything as he (Nakamura) looks for an armbar that's never there. Round two opens up with Sonoda's significant speed advantage coming into play as he pesters Nakamura with jabs before shooting in. Nakamura sprawls, and Sonoda settles for pushing Nakamura against the ropes. This is where they stay for the rest of the round. Sonoda and Nakamura come out swinging to open round three. Neither man lands, but in the ensuing grapple, Nakamura suddenly judo throws Sonoda. Sonoda lands safely and rolls to his feet only to have Nakamura bullrush him into the ropes. Sonoda struggles to get free of Nakamura, but is scooped up and slammed back to the ground to finish the fight and go to the score cards.

Should be a two rounds to one win for Sonoda...

Shinjiro Sonoda (3-2 Overall, 3-2 CONDOR) defeated Akashi Nakamura (11-8 Overall, 1-4 CONDOR) by unanimous decision.

Fourth Match - Hernando Perra [Jiu Jitsu - BRAZIL] (10-3 Overall, 2-1 CONDOR) ~Versus~ Maksim Mielkus [Brawling - LITHUANIA] (6-0 Overall, 1-0 CONDOR)

Unwilling to deal with Mielkus's scorching punching power, Perra immediately spears Mielkus to the ground. From there, Perra easily transitions to mount and blasts Mielkus's face in until Perra is pulled off by the referee. Very impressive showing by "The Dog".

Hernando Perra (11-3 Overall, 3-1 CONDOR) defeated Maksim Mielkus (6-1 Overall, 1-1 CONDOR) at 2'04 in the First Round.

Semi Final Match - Natsuo Nozaki [Freestyle - JAPAN] (5-2 Overall, 2-0 CONDOR] ~Versus~ Yoshiro Ito [Freestyle - JAPAN] (9-3 Overall, 2-2 CONDOR)

Despite being evenly matched on paper, Nozaki gets Ito to the ground off a double leg immediately. Ito does his best to maintain guard, but Nozaki is able to escape to side. However, Ito dutifully fends off Nozaki's attempts to mount resulting in a stalemate...Round two occurs exact opposite of round one as Ito scores the takedown with Nozaki being unable to escape. Nozaki does use a better defensive guard then Ito applied resulting in Ito being locked in Nozaki's guard. Nozaki opens up the final round looking to strike. It costs him, as Ito ducks under to secure what should be the fight winning takedown as Nozaki once again can do nothing to shake Ito's top control.

Both men need to desperately work on their takedown defense and defensive guard to stand a chance at the higher uppermost of CONDOR, but Ito should have done just enough to score a decision.

Yoshiro Ito (10-3 Overall, 3-2 CONDOR) defeated Natsuo Nozaki (5-3 Overall, 2-1 CONDOR) by unanimous decision

FINAL MATCH ~ KING of CONDOR Elimination Bout - Gabriel Morais [Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - BRAZIL] (13-6 Overall, 4-1 CONDOR) ~Versus~ Hachiro Fujii [Boxing - JAPAN] (4-1 Overall, 4-1 CONDOR)

The winner of this match faces Michiyoshi "King of CONDOR" Takase in March. Both Morais and Fujii have previously fought Takase with Takase emerging victorious in both accounts. With personal vengeance and a championship fight hanging over their heads, what can we expect?

Morais opens up with strikes. An odd choice for facing a former professional boxer. It proves to be a ruse as Morais shoots in. Fujii stuffs the takedown resulting in a clinch. Morais pushes Fujii into the ropes, and as Fujii attempts to escape Morais slips behind. Morias drags Fujii to the ground, but Fujii scrambles back to his feet. Morais, realizing the takedown won't work, suddenly throws his legs around for a knee bar. Fujii pulls his leg free, but falls into guard. With ten seconds left, Morais throws up an armbar, but Fujii guts through the pain to survive round one! Fujii lands several strong punches to open round two, enough to convince Morais to shoot in. Fujii stuffs again, but Morais pulls guard. Fujii attempts to escape but Morais holds onto him like a anaconda. Morais attempts a triangle choke, but Fujii fights it off, only to have Morais lock on another armbar. The threat is enough to allow Morais to turn Fujii over and get top position. Fujii scrambles again, but Morais slips behind Fujii but Fujii is once again saved as time runs out. Morais uses his superior grappling to push Fujii into the ropes, hoping to use the ropes against Fujii's takedown defense. Morais manages to slip behind Fujii standing, but this time Fujii holds his composure and doggedly denies Morais the submission that Morais desperately desires. With no submission and no progress, the round runs out sending it the judges.

Unlike all the other JD's on the card, this was an exciting affair. Morais could have ended the fight at any time, but only determination and a fierce defensive style kept Fujii going. However, it should be a decision for Gabriel Morais setting up the rematch.

Gabriel Morais (14-6, 5-1 CONDOR) defeated Hachiro Fujii (4-2 Overall, 4-2 CONDOR) by unanimous decision