BattleGrounds MMA 5: Welterweight One-Night Tournament Results & Play-by-Play

Demoreo Dennisvs.Bryan Porritt

Round 1

Dennis starts popping his jab, easily rocking Porritt's head back. Porritt rips off a right hook that surprises Dennis and drops him briefly, but “Huggy Bear” can't capitalize and runs right into a sloppy single-leg takedown attempt. Dennis gets on top, easily moving into full mount and smashing away with both hands. Porritt is completely trapped on the bottom and seems out of his depth. He rolls and gets to his knees but Dennis is above him, punching away and kneeing him to the body. This fight is not a pretty sight. Dennis keeps swinging away until referee Don Turnage has mercy on the outmatched Porritt.

The Official Result

Demoreo Dennis def. Bryan Porritt via TKO (Punches and Knees to the Body) R1 2:05

Mike Cookvs.Bryan McVea

Round 1

Cook is making his professional debut. Cook throws a hook to the body as the big men meet in the center of the cage. McVea lands a couple kicks to the legs. Both men a tentatively throwing probing jabs. McVea remains persistent attacking with kicks to Cook’s lead leg. An errant kick from McVea catches Cook downstairs and the debutante falls to the canvas in agony. After a brief recovery period, they touch gloves and the fight resumes. McVea is using his jab to set up hard outside leg kicks. Leg kicks still landing for McVea and Cook is moving more gingerly now on his lead leg. Cook whiffs on an overhand right. McVea connects with three consecutive leg kicks. Cook switches stances, presumably to protect his battered lead leg. McVea steps in with a punching combination and then moves away. Cook lands a leg kick of his own, but McVea fires back with a more authoritative offering.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 McVea
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 McVea
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 McVea

Round 2

Cook comes out with a one-two combo but misses. McVea connects with a head kick that briefly has Cook on retreat. He recovers, but McVea follows up with a punching combination and sends his man down by punctuating the barrage with a leg kick. McVea follows his foe to mat and moves into top position. He lands a couple elbows from side control before trapping his opponent’s arm. From there, McVea quickly transitions to an arm-triangle choke and elicits the tap moments later.

The Official Result

Bryan McVea def. Mike Cook via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R2 1:39

Jamal Parks vs. Ruben Warr

Round 1

Parks opens up with a jab and Warr answers with a leg kick. The featherweights throw kicks and briefly clinch before separating. Warr is looking to land his overhand right. Parks changes levels for a single-leg and Warr is trying to maintain his balance on the other leg. He lands some punches and forces Parks to let go. Warr lands a right hand that knocks Parks on his butt. The Tulsa, Okla., native is up quickly, however. Parks tries for another takedown but is denied. Parks with a front kick followed by a leg kick. Warr lands a left hook. Parks with a two-piece combo and then the fighters tie up. Nothing happens in the clinch, as Warr circles off the fence and breaks away. Parks lands a jab.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Warr
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Warr
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Warr

Round 2

Warr lands a glancing head kick at the outset of the frame. Parks pushes forward and throws a pair of kicks. Warr is having some success landing his lead hook so far, and he does so again. Parks presses forward with a combo followed by a level change, but Warr stuffs the shot. Warr with another left hook. Parks closes the distance for another takedown try but once again, his effort is denied. Warr sprawls on a double-leg attempt shortly thereafter. Parks lands a right hand and they clinch; Parks misses a follow-up offering as they separate. Parks with a jab to the body. Parks lands his best punch of the evening: a solid right hand to the face. Still, most of the wrestler’s punches are missing their mark. Warr with a left hook but misses on a right cross. Parks lands his first takedown of the fight with approximately 30 seconds remaining in the round. Warr works his way back up, but Parks maintains a body lock even as his adversary stands. The period ends with Parks attached to Warr.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Parks
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Parks
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Parks

Round 3

Parks lands a kick to the body, while Warr narrowly misses a head kick in response. Warr moves forward with a combination. Parks with a body lock takedown and he has Warr’s back. Parks picks him up and slams him down, but Warr gets right back up and escapes. Parks wastes little time changing levels following a Warr kick, and he eventually finishes the takedown. Warr is up again, but Parks is attached to his back. Warr turns, gets an underhook and breaks away from his foe. Warr lands a kick to the body and Parks answers with a left hook. Parks connects with a right hand. Warr is mostly content to counter, but he hasn’t landed much of significance in this round. He does stuff another Parks takedown, however. Parks lands a jab clean and quickly drops for a takedown. Warr gets up immediately. Parks lands a jab to the body as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Parks (29-28 Parks)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Parks (29-28 Parks)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Parks (29-28 Parks)

The Official Result

Jamal Parks def. Ruben Warr via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

170-Pound Tournament Quarterfinal:
Jesse Taylor vs. Trey Houston

Round 1

Taylor gets in on a quick single-leg takedown but Houston sprawls nicely. Houston turns his hip and breaks Taylor's posture and starts unloading punches, so Taylor rolls into a defensive single-leg and gets Houston, a geophysicist by day, to the floor cleanly. Taylor lands clean, straight punches through Houston's guard as the bottom man turns side to side and looks for a submission. “JT Money” continues to posture up and throw hard single shots. He goes to the well once too often and “That Just Happened” turns and locks up Taylor's right arm. Houston pops his hips and goes belly down. Taylor's arm is stretched fully and he quickly taps. Trey Houston is the first semifinalist in the BattleGrounds welterweight tournament.

The Official Result

Trey Houston def. Jesse Taylor via Submission (Armbar) R1 2:10

170-Pound Tournament Quarterfinal:
Roan Carneiro vs. Randall Wallace

Round 1

Wallace moves Carneiro back to the fence with his jab, then clocks him with a one-two. “Jucao” circles out, then waits for Wallace to approach again, changes levels and dumps him with a double. Wallace sneaks up the fence and the Brazilian looks to take his back standing. Carneiro sinks one hook, then uses his right leg to jump off the fence a la Anthony Pettis, sweeping Wallace to the mat and sinking both hooks in a beautiful display of grappling. The UFC veteran looks for a rear-naked choke briefly, then switches to a slick armbar, stepping over his foe's head and turning him over into the spiderweb position. Wallace fights the armbar with all he has, but “Jucao” breaks his grip and extends the arm. Wallace refuses to tap, trying to twist and escape over Carneiro, but the Atlanta-based fighter has it locked in. Carneiro puts Wallace's arm under his armpit and cranks it even further, finally eliciting the tap before Wallace gets his arm snapped. Roan Carneiro advances to the semifinals, where he will meet Trey Houston.

The Official Result

Roan Carneiro def. Randall Wallace via Submission (Armbar) R1 3:29

170-Pound Tournament Quarterfinal:
Cody McKenzie vs. Brock Larson

Round 1

McKenzie slowly plods forward at Larson, backing his fellow southpaw up, but he is not committing to strikes. McKenzie feints, yet continues not throwing. Larson tags him with a right hook, then steps inside and lands two body knees. McKenzie tries to respond but catches Larson on the cup. It's a glancing shot, so the Minnesotan shakes it off, then promptly puts McKenzie on the mat with a double-leg takedown. McKenzie keeps his left arm draped over Larson's neck while he tries to pass guard, hoping to ensnare him in his trademark guillotine. Larson is stuck in half guard, negotiating space very cautiously so as to not give up his neck. Larson finally pops his head out and re-establishes top position. As Larson tries to pass to the near side, McKenzie tries to sweep him. Larson powers straight through it and gets to side control for a moment, but McKenzie scrambles to his feet. In the scramble, McKenzie jumps on his guillotine and rips Larson to the ground. “The AK Kid” sweeps him into mount nearly, then drives his hands into the “prayer position” to finish the guillotine. Despite locking up the patented “McKenzietine,” Larson gives referee Don Turnage a thumbs up and waits out the last 10 seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Larson
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Larson

Round 2

McKenzie immediately shoots a lazy double-leg takedown and puts Larson's back to the fence. Larson gets a headlock and snaps McKenzie to the mat, setting up shop from half guard. Larson pressures to pass quickly, then gets head-and-arm control on McKenzie, driving his shoulder into McKenzie's neck. Larson locks his hands, passes to the side and squeezes the arm-triangle choke. McKenzie, who has spent his recent weeks salmon fishing rather than training, quickly taps. Brock Larson advances to the semifinals of Battlegrounds' welterweight tournament.

The Official Result

Brock Larson def. Cody McKenzie via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R2 1:43

170-Pound Tournament Quarterfinal:
Luigi Fioravanti vs. Joe Ray

Round 1

The two combatants exchange in close quarters before Fiorvanti presses Ray against the fence. Ray turns and breaks away. Fiorvanti misses an overhand right. Fiorvanti drives Ray against the cage. Ray lands a couple knees with his back against the fence. Fiorvanti with a short elbow to the head, and he is warned by referee Kevin Nix not to throw elbows. Ray lands three brutal knees to Fiorvanti’s head. After taking the third on the chin, the UFC veteran goes tumbling to the canvas. Ray pounces and unloads with a series of unanswered right hands on the floor. Finally, referee Kevin Nix has seen enough and steps in to halt the bout.

The Official Result

Joe Ray def. Luigi Fioravanti via TKO (Knees and Punches) R1 2:39

Wayne Cole vs. Niko Koliastasis

Round 1

Cole awkwardly jabs toward Koliastasis before winding up on a big right hook that his foe easily ducks under. Koliastasis clinches, gets a single-leg takedown after a short struggle and starts to pound. The Strikeforce and IFL veteran tries to pop up quickly but winds up getting grounded in the turtle position. The hometown fighter making his pro debut goes to work, ripping his fellow Oklahoman with right hands around his guard and under his armpit. Koliastasis gets his left arm around Cole's neck without even sinking his hooks, so he decides to exploit the opportunity. He moves into back control and looks to lock up his submission and Cole decides to give him a helping hand by tapping out to the rear-naked choke before Koliastasis even locks his grip with two arms.

The Official Result

Niko Koliastasis def. Wayne Cole via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:32

Zac Church vs. Ryan Hayes

Round 1

Hayes measures the distance with two low kicks but Church rushes through it, gets to a rear waistlock and slams him. Hayes calmly stands, breaks his grip and goes back to distance, where he gets busy with low kicks. Church takes him back down without much incident, but Hayes threatens with an armbar that forces Church to escape, scramble and stand. He stays glued to his opponent, trying to pull him back down to the mat. He's finally successful, but the Mustang, Okla. Fighter throws up another armbar. He extends it, but Church keeps control of his arm and is able to stack him, slam him and break free. Church keeps the pressure on, attacking with punches and forces Hayes to his back briefly. Hayes slides back up the fence and pushes Church into the cage for a moment, but Church breaks free after landing a knee. He puts a hard right on Hayes' mug before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Church
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Church
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Church

Round 2

The featherweights have slowed after an intense first round. Church launches a few overhand rights but can't locate Hayes, then lands a low kick to the groin of Hayes, who takes a moment to recover without the sanctioning of referee Don Turnage. They quickly resume and Church shoots a single, but Hayes sprawls, turns to the side and pounds him while he's turtled. Hayes threatens with a front headlock, examining his chances of a choke, yet can't find anything. He turns to the side again and tries to pound, but Church pushes him off and explodes to his feet. Church continues to press with punches, but he can't get a successful takedown behind the punches. Hayes sprawls and executes another headlock, where he looks for a Peruvian necktie, then opts for a high-angle guillotine in the style of Urijah Faber. Church escapes to his feet and they swing away at the air until the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hayes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Church
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Hayes

Round 3

Hayes advances on Church, popping his jab out at his foe, who circles away, hoping to find a counterpunch opportunity. Church continues backing up over the first two minutes until the Bellator vet surprises Hayes with a glancing Superman punch. The featherweights land simultaneous jabs, then Hayes goes back to outside leg kicks after departing from his earlier strategy. Neither fighter is really creating any notable advantage, as the strikes as few and far in between and when they are thrown, they don't land clean. With 60 seconds to go, Church finally throws combinations behind his jab, but can't land. It actually works against him as Hayes ducks under his punches, dumps him on the mat with a double of his own, then takes his back. Hayes takes his back and threatens with the rear-naked choke, but Church explodes, escapes and pounds away on Hayes for a moment. Hayes spins for an armbar, but can't get it and Church keeps pounding away until the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Church (29-28 Church)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Church (30-27 Church)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Church (29-28 Church)

The Official Result

Zac Church def. Ryan Hayes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

170-Pound Tournament Semifinal:
Trey Houstonvs.Roan Carneiro

Round 1

Carneiro closes the distance quickly, gets to Houston's hips and sucks him to the mat. He tries to take the back immediately, but Houston rolls to his back and puts him in full guard. Carneiro lands right hands as Houston opens his guard, looking for submissions from his back. Carneiro smoothly passes to half guard, then cuts his knee across right into full mount with just over two minutes in to go in the round. “Jucao” goes chest-to-chest with Houston and lands short, smothering punches. Carneiro postures up and lands a few hard punches, but Houston covers up well while protecting his arms from armbar attempts. Carneiro stays patient, alternating between heavy pressure and posturing to punch, beating Houston up until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Carneiro
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Carneiro
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Carneiro

Round 2

Houston is aggressive to start the second, jabbing diligently and looking for big rights behind it. He hits Carneiro with a hard overhand, prompting a clinch where he defends Carneiro's takedown. “That Just Happened” looks to replicate his success, but when he attacks again, the Atlanta-based Brazil ducks under and picks his ankle to put him on the mat. Carneiro quickly passes guard and looks to want an armbar, but he rushes it and allows Houston to escape to his feet. Houston tries to attack the tiring fighter with more punches, but Carneiro blasts him with a jab-right cross-left hook. Houston reels back and falls on his face. Carneiro briefly tries to take the fallen fighter's back, but realizing that it might not be the most effective fight-ending method, starts to punch instead. The dazed and confused Houston tries to get his knees as Carneiro keeps punching away. Referee Don Turnage finally steps in, officially moving Roan Carneiro into the welterweight tournament final.

The Official Result

Roan Carneiro def. Trey Houston via TKO (Punches) R2 2:11

170-Pound Tournament Semifinal:
Brock Larson vs. Joe Ray

Round 1

Ray is the aggressor, stalking Larson, not jabbing so much as probing with his lead hand. Larson throws a right uppercut and while coming forward, lands a brutal headbutt that splits Ray's nose open, yet Ray is undeterred and keeps pressing into the pocket. Larson lands a quick one-two again, then runs Ray all the way across the cage in pursuit of a takedown. Ray defends and lands a hard knee to the breakbasket that forces Larson to take a deep breath. The Minnesotan lands a left while Ray tags him simultaneously, then shoots on the American Top Teamer again. Ray uses an overhook to control Larson, then breaks his grip and escapes. Larson leads with another left hook that glances, but Ray rips his head up with an uppercut. Larson looks stung, so he gets in on a single and tackles Ray to the mat with 30 seconds to go. Larson looks for a breather as Ray sits up and attacks his neck with a guillotine, using it to roll Larson and escape at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Larson
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Larson

Round 2

Ray is still stalking Larson as the second stanza starts. He mixes in some outside leg kicks on the circling Larson, which prompts the UFC veteran to look for another double-leg. Houston defends it again but Larson gets his back onto the fence. Ray locks up a kimura standing, pulls guard and uses it to sweep Larson and get top position on the tough wrestler. Ray lands short punches to the ear from half guard at the halfway point of the round, holding Larson down. Ray looks more concerned with shoulder pressure and tiring Larson out than landing damaging punches. Ray is working on a brabo choke, but as he tries to lock it up, Larson rolls into deep half guard and threatens to sweep him, while creating some breathing space for himself. Ray continues flexing his biceps and trying to tighten the choke. Larson tries to push his way to top position and allows Ray to actually sink the choke deep, but it is just two seconds before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ray
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Ray
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Ray

Round 3

Ray continues slowly pressing forward with a high guard, yet when he moves Larson back to the fence, he can't line him up for hard punches. Larson shoots a single at the two-minute mark, Ray shrugs it off easily and puts a knee into his gut. Larson grabs his right leg against and runs him to the fence and again, Ray tries to counter with a kimura. As he tries to lock it up, Larson elevates him off the ground, slams him and gets into top with just over two minutes to go in the fight. Larson jumps over Ray's left leg right into side control, but the ATT fighter scrambles and nearly locks up a brabo choke in the process. Larson extricates himself and gets right back to working in half guard. With 30 seconds left in the bout, Larson threatens with a kimura from half guard, attempting to pass guard at the same time. Ray jumps up to his feet, but the Brainerd, Minn. native pre-empts any offense he's hoping for, cracking him with a quick salvo of punches before the bout comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Larson (29-28 Larson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Larson (29-28 Larson)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Larson (29-28 Larson)

The Official Result

Brock Larson def. Joe Ray via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Tyler Shinn vs. Chris Gutierrez

Round 1

Gutierrez shows his comfort in the striking department, coming out in a lax, upright posture, backing Shinn up and flashing kicks. Gutierrez shows a nifty reverse hook kick that is nowhere near Shinn's head, so Shinn throws an axe kick in response that isn't in Gutierrez's area code. Gutierrez continues his casual pursuit of his opponent, finally putting a spinning back kick into his gut. The southpaw Shinn keeps sticking his right jab out to no avail as Gutierrez moves his head around it nicely. Three minutes into the fight, Shinn has thrown almost nothing. With 80 seconds left, Shinn throws a one-two and tries to run at Gutierrez for a takedown, which goes nowhere. Gutierrez sidesteps him. With 45 seconds to go, Gutierrez finally opens up a bit with punches, giving Shinn the chance to change levels and drive him to the mat. Shinn tries to get busy with punches before the horn, but can't land anything significant.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez

Round 2

Gutierrez is predictably the one pushing the action, closing in on Shinn but still not throwing many strikes at the former Oklahoma State wrestler. At the halfway mark of the round, Shinn hits a powerful double-leg and jumps on Gutierrez's back quickly. Shinn is hot on the trail of rear-naked choke as Gutierrez stands up. Shinn locks up a body triangle as Gutierrez stands and squeezes the choke, but it's not quite deep enough. “El Guapo” peels Shinn's hand, then shakes him off, landing in top position. Gutierrez doesn't get much time to work as Shinn shrimps to the fence, uses it to stand up and works for a bodylock takedown until the horn blows.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Shinn
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Shinn
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Shinn

Round 3

The pace is still painfully slow over the first two minutes as Gutierrez walks the circling Shinn down, doesn't throw strikes and allows Shinn to escape. They finally open up with some punching exchanges two minutes into the round with neither man landing clean, unfortunately. Gutierrez finally lands a hard kick to the ribs, virtually the only memorable strike of the fight that has landed. With 80 seconds to go, Gutierrez changes to a southpaw stance, then switches back to orthodox. Shinn shoots an awful single-leg takedown which Gutierrez limplegs out of easily. Shinn shoots again, pulls guard and tries to get a leglock in vain. The Texan steps out of his guard, allows him to stand and hits him with a jumping roundhouse kick to the body before the bout mercifully ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez

The Official Result

Chris Gutierrez def. Tyler Shinn via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) R3 5:00

170-Pound Tournament Final:
Brock Larson vs. Roan Carneiro

Round 1

Carneiro takes the center of the cage while Larson, who had to pass a concussion test prior to the 170-pound final, circles on the outside. Carneiro lands a hard kick. The Brazilian changes levels for a takedown and drives Larson against the fence. The two welterweights stalemate in the over-under position and referee Don Turnage orders them to separate. Carneiro throws a kick to the body. It’s blocked, and he attacks with a punching combination. Larson moves forward and Carneiro catches him with a knee coming in. Larson closes the distance with a three-punch combo. Only one appears to land, but Carneiro gets his back and briefly drags him to the canvas. Carneiro presses his man against the cage and lands some elbows. Larson responds with a few knees. They separate just before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Carneiro
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Carneiro
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Carneiro

Round 2

Carneiro cautiously wades forward, fighting the southpaw Larson's lead hand and throwing a lukewarm body kick that makes contact. After 45 seconds of emptiness, Larson glances with a two-punch combo and a low kick. Carneiro loads up on a right hook that misses, yet artfully ducks under, gets to Larson's body and grabs a rear waistlock. Larson tries to keep his balance and break free, but Carneiro drags him down. Larson hops up from his knees, but still can't get away from “Jucao,” who runs him into the other side of the cage. Larson gets taken down briefly, scrambles back up again and separates. Now, Larson wants to use his own wrestling, so he shoots on lazily shoots on Carneiro, setting up another clinch. Carneiro gets control of Larson's waist again and tries to get back control, but can't wrangle Larson. Right before the horn, Carneiro finally tackles the UFC and WEC veteran to the ground.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Carneiro
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Carneiro
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Carneiro

Round 3

As the final frame of the tournament begins, “Jucao” springs to life, bullying Larson to the canvas. Carneiro quickly gets full mount and somehow, the fighter who nearly pulled out due to dehydration and exhausting after both of his previous fights, starts unloading on Larson with quality shots. Larson rolls to Carneiro's hip, cleverly replacing half guard while under fire. Carneiro sits in half guard, idly punching away as Larson sits up against the fence. Larson just doesn't have the gas or explosion to get back to his feet and the ATT Atlanta fighter is all-too-happy to hold him down, secure his position and ride out the clock. Larson tries to sneak up to his feet again, but “Jucao” keeps him down and continues to control and gently pound until the final horn ends the BattleGrounds welterweight tournament.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Carneiro (30-27 Carneiro)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Carneiro (30-27 Carneiro)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Carneiro (30-27 Carneiro)

The Official Result

Roan Carneiro def. Brock Larson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00