Hatsu Off: Hioki Retains TKO Belt Over Hominick
MONTREAL, Feb. 9 — TKO returned yet again to the fabled Bell Centre
for the long awaited and highly anticipated 145-pound rematch
between Hatsu Hioki
(Pictures) and Mark Hominick (Pictures).
With the TKO featherweight title on the line, the two fighters left it all in the cage during a spectacular five-round war. To the surprise of many in attendance, the championship bout never once hit the mat.
Throughout the opening two rounds, Hioki controlled the pace by
peppering the legs of the man he took the belt from with inside and
outside low kicks that left noticeable bruising.
Hioki (12-1-1) successfully used his reach to frustrate the former champion and cut off the ring. Only a couple times did the Shooto-reared Japanese fighter attempt a shot for a takedown. Hominick had the answer each time by successfully sprawling and scrambling to avoid Hioki’s ground game, which was largely responsible for the Canadian’s downfall in their first clash May of last year.
As the fight progressed into the fourth and fifth rounds it appeared as though Hominick had taken over the fight, and it seemed as if the majority over the 7,000 fans in attendance believed the former champion was well on his way to a decision victory.
By fight’s end, both fighters were bloodied and bruised and the crowd rose to its feet while cheering ferociously for their adopted son. But as the judges’ decision was announced, cheers quickly turned to a chorus of boos when a majority decision was awarded to Hioki, who affirmed his status as champion after twice beating the 24-year-old Hominick in his home promotion.
It was clear Hioki, 26, controlled the action through rounds one and two and easily won them both, however Hominick turned things around and began taking the fight to Hioki beginning with the third round. The champion turned challenger continued to land better shots towards the end of the fight and probably should have gotten the nod.
Originally Jonathan Goulet (Pictures) was scheduled to fight Steve Vigneault (Pictures) for the TKO welterweight title (recently vacated by UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures)). But an injury during training to Vigneault put those plans on hold.
Thomas Schulte (Pictures) stepped in to face “The Road Warrior” and dominated the Victoriaville native throughout the first round. Following a Goulet takedown, Schulte scrambled and leapt onto Goulet’s back, where he worked feverishly for a rear-naked choke. For over four minutes Schulte latched onto Goulet with a tight body-triangle, limiting his ability to escape.
Goulet did well in avoiding the repeated choke attempts and it appeared as though the two fighters would end the round in this position. However, after an unfathomable stand-up from the referee while Goulet was still trapped in Schulte’s body triangle, the two fighters engaged on the feet.
Schulte, 26, was then clipped by a looping right hand and he retreated to the mat. Goulet took the opportunity to pounce and unload a series of punches on the ground.
With the crowd cheering madly as Goulet (17-7-0) pounded away, the bell sounded. However it went unnoticed by the referee and after the round had officially ended the referee stepped in to waive the fight off and give Goulet, 27, the win.
An obviously disappointed Schulte (13-6-0) did not attend the post-fight press conference, and his camp said it intends to approach the athletic commission to have the decision changed.
The second title on the line Friday evening saw Sam Stout (Pictures) defend his lightweight belt against Fabio Holanda (Pictures), a man whom many thought would easily submit him in the same fashion Kenny Florian (Pictures) did back at the Ultimate Fighter 3 finale.
Arguably one of the most talented grapplers in the sport, Holanda took Stout (11-2-1) down at will and controlled the champion on the ground, moving from guard to side-control and on to full-mount. At one point in the opening stanza, it looked as though Holanda was on his way to victory with a Kimura, yet amazingly Stout escaped and returned to his feet.
Holanda continued the takedown assault, tying up Stout before putting him back on the mat again and again. But Stout, relentless in his efforts to get back to his feet, would win the cardio battle. Every time Holanda was instructed by the referee to stand after a Stout escape, the 28-year-old Brazilian would lay on his back to catch his breath.
Round two saw more of the same. Stout, after dealing with Holanda’s takedowns, continually tried to engage on the feet. A visibly winded Holanda looked as though we was fading — faster than many expected. As the bell sounded to end the round, Holanda was exhausted and required assistance from his corner.
It was clear Holanda (4-5-0) did not have anything left in the tank and his corner signaled that he could not continue, giving the belt-retaining victory to the 22-year-old champion.
In other action, Luke Caudillo made an impact in his TKO debut by knocking out Samuel Guillet (Pictures) in 12 seconds with a brutal right hook. He followed up with five unanswered blows to the downed Guillet.
Stephane Dube (Pictures) finished James Martinez (Pictures) with strikes 4:17 of the first.
Chris Clements (Pictures) stopped David Medd (Pictures) in a wildly entertaining bout at the 1:54 mark of the second round.
Steve Claveau (Pictures) submitted Jason St. Louis (Pictures) by triangle Choke 3:02 of the first.
Martin Grandmont (Pictures) finished Dave Pariseau (Pictures) 3:19 of round one.
Yves Lemelin took a unanimous decision over Daniel Boissoneault (Pictures).
Bob Landry forced David Fraser’s corner to stop the bout after two rounds.
Jean-Francois Bedard stopped Joseph Paquet at 2:30 of the first.
Stephane Pinet (Pictures) defeated Sebastian Gauthier (Pictures) by split decision.
With the TKO featherweight title on the line, the two fighters left it all in the cage during a spectacular five-round war. To the surprise of many in attendance, the championship bout never once hit the mat.
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Hioki (12-1-1) successfully used his reach to frustrate the former champion and cut off the ring. Only a couple times did the Shooto-reared Japanese fighter attempt a shot for a takedown. Hominick had the answer each time by successfully sprawling and scrambling to avoid Hioki’s ground game, which was largely responsible for the Canadian’s downfall in their first clash May of last year.
Round three saw Hominick (13-6-0) change from counter puncher to
aggressor by backing up Hioki with a several looping overhand
rights and left hooks. Now under fire, Hioki was content to
continue to work the legs of his counterpart.
As the fight progressed into the fourth and fifth rounds it appeared as though Hominick had taken over the fight, and it seemed as if the majority over the 7,000 fans in attendance believed the former champion was well on his way to a decision victory.
By fight’s end, both fighters were bloodied and bruised and the crowd rose to its feet while cheering ferociously for their adopted son. But as the judges’ decision was announced, cheers quickly turned to a chorus of boos when a majority decision was awarded to Hioki, who affirmed his status as champion after twice beating the 24-year-old Hominick in his home promotion.
It was clear Hioki, 26, controlled the action through rounds one and two and easily won them both, however Hominick turned things around and began taking the fight to Hioki beginning with the third round. The champion turned challenger continued to land better shots towards the end of the fight and probably should have gotten the nod.
Originally Jonathan Goulet (Pictures) was scheduled to fight Steve Vigneault (Pictures) for the TKO welterweight title (recently vacated by UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures)). But an injury during training to Vigneault put those plans on hold.
Thomas Schulte (Pictures) stepped in to face “The Road Warrior” and dominated the Victoriaville native throughout the first round. Following a Goulet takedown, Schulte scrambled and leapt onto Goulet’s back, where he worked feverishly for a rear-naked choke. For over four minutes Schulte latched onto Goulet with a tight body-triangle, limiting his ability to escape.
Goulet did well in avoiding the repeated choke attempts and it appeared as though the two fighters would end the round in this position. However, after an unfathomable stand-up from the referee while Goulet was still trapped in Schulte’s body triangle, the two fighters engaged on the feet.
Schulte, 26, was then clipped by a looping right hand and he retreated to the mat. Goulet took the opportunity to pounce and unload a series of punches on the ground.
With the crowd cheering madly as Goulet (17-7-0) pounded away, the bell sounded. However it went unnoticed by the referee and after the round had officially ended the referee stepped in to waive the fight off and give Goulet, 27, the win.
An obviously disappointed Schulte (13-6-0) did not attend the post-fight press conference, and his camp said it intends to approach the athletic commission to have the decision changed.
The second title on the line Friday evening saw Sam Stout (Pictures) defend his lightweight belt against Fabio Holanda (Pictures), a man whom many thought would easily submit him in the same fashion Kenny Florian (Pictures) did back at the Ultimate Fighter 3 finale.
Arguably one of the most talented grapplers in the sport, Holanda took Stout (11-2-1) down at will and controlled the champion on the ground, moving from guard to side-control and on to full-mount. At one point in the opening stanza, it looked as though Holanda was on his way to victory with a Kimura, yet amazingly Stout escaped and returned to his feet.
Holanda continued the takedown assault, tying up Stout before putting him back on the mat again and again. But Stout, relentless in his efforts to get back to his feet, would win the cardio battle. Every time Holanda was instructed by the referee to stand after a Stout escape, the 28-year-old Brazilian would lay on his back to catch his breath.
Round two saw more of the same. Stout, after dealing with Holanda’s takedowns, continually tried to engage on the feet. A visibly winded Holanda looked as though we was fading — faster than many expected. As the bell sounded to end the round, Holanda was exhausted and required assistance from his corner.
It was clear Holanda (4-5-0) did not have anything left in the tank and his corner signaled that he could not continue, giving the belt-retaining victory to the 22-year-old champion.
In other action, Luke Caudillo made an impact in his TKO debut by knocking out Samuel Guillet (Pictures) in 12 seconds with a brutal right hook. He followed up with five unanswered blows to the downed Guillet.
Stephane Dube (Pictures) finished James Martinez (Pictures) with strikes 4:17 of the first.
Chris Clements (Pictures) stopped David Medd (Pictures) in a wildly entertaining bout at the 1:54 mark of the second round.
Steve Claveau (Pictures) submitted Jason St. Louis (Pictures) by triangle Choke 3:02 of the first.
Martin Grandmont (Pictures) finished Dave Pariseau (Pictures) 3:19 of round one.
Yves Lemelin took a unanimous decision over Daniel Boissoneault (Pictures).
Bob Landry forced David Fraser’s corner to stop the bout after two rounds.
Jean-Francois Bedard stopped Joseph Paquet at 2:30 of the first.
Stephane Pinet (Pictures) defeated Sebastian Gauthier (Pictures) by split decision.
