Liberty Multimedia is live at Unified MMA 32 in Edmonton at The Royal Palace. We’ll be updating live play by play as the fights develop and also doing exclusive post-event coverage with the fighters. Stay tuned…
Fight #1: Cam MacDonald vs Dallyn Wirachowsky (lightweight)
Round 1: Cam MacDonald is making his pro MMA debut following seven amateur bouts. After a brief leg kick exchange, Macdonald lands a counter left hook that sends Wirachowsky to the canvas. He nearly finishes him but Wirachowsky recovers nicely and gets back to his feet. Even exchanges the rest of the round. Liberty Multimedia scores the bout 10-9 Macdonald.
Round 2: Macdonald lands another low kick, which is returned in kind by Wirachowsky. Macdonald lands another left hook. Wir connects with a good counter right. Macdonald continues to hunt for the left hook. Macdonald lands another low kick and appears to be in some discomfort. Close round. Liberty Multimedia scores the round 10-9 Macdonald.
Round 3: Macdonald’s nose is bleeding to start the round and he takes a hard leg kick. Macdonald lands two consecutive low kicks in return. Macdonal swarms forward and starts to taunt. He catches a low kick and throws counter rights, knocking Wir momentarily to the canvas. A push kick from Macdonald keeps Wir off balance.
Macdonal swarms forward and lands, but Wir responds accordingly. Liberty Multimedia scores the round 10-9 Macdonald and 30-27.
Judges score the contest 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for “Dynamite” Cam Macdonald.
“It’s been a long time coming, I really need to thank my coaches,” said MacDonald post-fight.
Fight #2: Johnny Choi vs Alex McCoid (lightweight)
Round 1: Alex McCoid also makes his professional MMA debut. Choi lands three consecutive right hands before they start grappling, with Choi ending up in half guard. Choi softens him up with punches until McCoid reverses, gets to his feet and presses Choi against the fence, working a takedown. He gets it and Choi immediately works his way back to the feet.
McCoid continues for a single leg takedown but Choi catches him in a guillotine choke and pulls guard, forcing a submission at 2:12 in Round 1. Johnny Choi calls out CM Punk in his post-fight interview.
Fight #3: Yannick Pare vs Pat Pytlik (welterweight)
Round 1: Pytlik throws two big kicks that are blocked, followed by an inside knee that lands clean. Pare shoots for the takedown but Pytlik ends up on top, with Pare pressed up against the cage.
Pare works a triangle from the bottom but Pytlik brushes it aside and takes side control. He lands a few punches from the position and a knee as Pare gets back to his feet. Vicious knees continue from Pytlik in the clinch. He tees off with a series of knees, elbows and finishes Pare with an uppercut.
Pytlik wins via KO at 2:27 of Round 1.
Fight #4: Cody Krahn vs Jeff Porter (middleweight)
Round 1: Krahn opens with body shots and a counter hook. Krahn lands a good push-kick. Another body punch from Krahn. Porter catches Krahn with a counter coming in. Krahn lands a right hand to the head of Porter. Krahn’s corner calls for jabs and he lands two. Porter’s straight right hand lands flush.
Left head kick glances but briefly staggers Krahn. Porter turns it on towards the end of the round. Krahn closes out with a right leg kick that lands clean. Liberty Multimedia scores the round 10-9 Krahn.
Round 2: Krahn comes out strong and lands a flurry with Porter pressed against the cage. Both men are bloodied within one minute of the second round. Krahn lands a big overhand right but Porter stays composed. Porter lands a right of his own that turns the tables. Back and forth exchanges throughout the rest of the round, with both men swinging hard before the round ends. Liberty Multimedia 10-10.
Round 3: The fighters hug to start the final round. A show of respect from both fighters. Krahn lands a three punch combination on the counter. Plenty of action with Porter pushing forward and nearly landing a head-kick. Krahn takes control of the centre of the cage and continues to find a home for his body shots. Krahn lands a couple leg kicks near the end of the round, with both fighters finishing in a flurry. Liberty Multimedia scores the round 10-9 Krahn and 30-28.
Judges score the bout 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27 for Cody Krahn. Krahn said retiring two years ago was the stupidest move of his career. “My stand-up game has vastly improved,” said Krahn. “I don’t care if you like me or hate me, you love watching me fight. I asked for a fight with Jeff Porter because I knew it was going to be that kind of fight.”
Fight #5: Michael Hay vs Corey Gower (bantamweight)
Round 1: Hay shoots for the takedown and Gower ends up in top position. Hay works an armbar but eats a series of punches. Hay regains his composure and again attempts the armbar, this time securing the hold and tapping Gower at just 1:13 of Round 1.
“I’m comfortable everywhere,” said Hay. “He put me right where I wanted to be. When I’m on the ground, watch out.”
In the post-fight interview, it was announced that Hay will be getting the next bantamweight title shot.
Fight #6: Clay Dixon vs Behrang Yousefi (featherweight)
Round 1: Yousefi missed weight coming into the bout at 147.2lbs. Dixon immediately gets the takedown and works in half guard. After a brief exchange on the ground, the ref stands up the fighters. Dixon goes right back into top position. Yousefi sinks in a triangle at the end of the round but is unable to secure a submission. Liberty Multimedia scores the bout 10-9 Dixon.
Round 2: Dixon takes his time setting up yet another take down, which he completes with ease. Yousefi shows off a rubber guard from the bottom and the fighters are again stood up. Another take down for Dixon. Yousefi goes for a triangle but it’s pushed off and Dixon winds up in side control. Yousefi works back to a half guard and the ref stands them up a third time. The fight hits the mat again, this time with Yousefi in top position working to take Dixon’s back. Yousefi works his way into an armbar and holds the position for several seconds but cannot make Dixon tap. They are stood up inexplicably for a fourth time. 10-9 Dixon.
Round 3: Dixon gets the takedown 20 seconds into round three. They work for another brief period before yet another stand-up. Yousefi looks for a flying armbar but ends up on the mat. The ref stands them one more time for good measure. Repeat. The fight ends with Dixon in top position. 10-9 Dixon. Liberty Multimedia scores the bout 30-27 for Dixon and recommends referee John Braak allow grapplers more time to work before diverting to stand-ups.
All three judges score the bout 29-28 in favour of Clay Dixon.
Fight #7: Victor Valimaki vs Teddy Ash (light heavyweight)
Round 1: Teddy Ash pushes forward with punches, finding a home with the one-two. He lands a straight right that knocks Valimaki out at 1:38 in round 1.
Main Event: Shane Campbell vs Mike Scarcello for the Unified Lightweight Championship
Round 1: Scarcello brings the action to the champ, pressing him against the cage and working for a take down. Campbell does a great job defending the takedown and counter with a low kick on the break. Campbell takes down Scarcello and lands a few blows.
Scarcello gets up and goes right back to the clinch. Campbell reverses and lands some foot stomps against the cage. Campbell shows off his dexterity with a knee to the face while clinching. The round ends with Scarcello in control along the cage but unable to secure a take down. Liberty Multimedia scores the round Campbell 10-9.
Round 2: After a brief exchange, Campbell winds up in top position on the ground and works toward taking the back. He forces Scarcello to the cage and manages to sink one hook in. Controlling the position, Campbell waits patiently until finishing with a rear naked choke at 4:01 of round 2.
The winner and still Unified Lightweight Champion is Shane Campbell.