Bodog Fight – Series IV, Episode 4 Review

Results

This weeks episode featured light heavyweights Francis Carmont vs. Todd Broadaway and Sydney Machado vs. Todd Carney.

Francis Carmont (9 – 5 – 0) vs. Todd Broadaway (4 – 0 – 0)

Fighting out of Paris, France, Francis Carmont is a fighter who states that his passion is MMA. Carmont, in fact, abandoned his studies in Law and Sociology to to train and compete MMA. Carmont represents Europe Top Team, the fighting stable of fellow Bodog fighters Kristoff Midoux and Moise Rimbon. This may not mean much to the layman but it is significant info. The reason being is that outside of Thailand, one of the best places in the world to train Thai style kickboxing is Europe, particularly Holland and France. And coming from a stable of strong French fighters, there’s no questioning Carmont’s status as a striker.

Todd Broadaway is making his return to MMA after seven year layoff from the sport. He states that it was frequent injuries that keep him on the sidelines, but looks to get back in the mix against Carmont. Though it has been a few years since he stepped in the ring, it is important to note that Broadaway is a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu and hold a wins over UFC veteran Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello.

The Fight

The fight begins with both fighters feeling each other out mostly with kicks. Carmont executes powerful Thai style roundhouses while Broadaway is snapping front kicks and looping crescent kicks. Carmont is getting the better of the exchanges landing stinging roundhouses every time Broadaway throws a crescent kick. A minute in, Broadaway initiates a takedown but is reversed on the way down and Broadaway is on his back with Carmont in his guard. Broadaway keeps Carmont in close to prevent him from striking. Carmont attempts to stands up out of Broadaway’s guard but Broadaway tries for a leg lock. Carmont spends a good few seconds struggling to break free of the hold until he spins out of it. The two fighters clinch and the action is back standing. Broadaway tries to hook Carmont’s leg for another takedown but it is Carmont who gets the takedown executing a beautiful judo hip toss. Broadaway is once again tying Carmont up to prevent him from striking but this time around is unsuccessful. Carmont lands one punch that opens Broadaway’s defense then continues landing punches to Broadaway until the ref calls a stop to the action. Carmont is victorious at 3:12 of round 1.

Sydney Machado (3 – 2 – 0) vs. Todd “Crazy T” Carney (16 – 16 – 0)

Not much was known about Sydney Machado since he is very new to the sport. What is known is that he is a Brazilian native currently residing in Costa Rica and his training partners include grappling siblings Rodrigo and Carina Damm. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Machado ground game is formidable.

Todd “Crazy T” Carney has vastly more experience in MMA than his opponent and also has a background in boxing. Carney admitted that he does not play the wrestling game and credits his takedown defense to his two fist.

Once again this match up features a striker vs. a grappler.

The Fight:

Round 1: Carney comes out feels out with jabs. Machado responds by shooting in and getting an immediate takedown. Machado moves from guard to side mount and attempts to make room to through down punches. Carney escapes and begins to stand up but Machado attempts and anaconda choke. Machado lets go of the choke and takes Carney down again, this time applying a guillotine. Machado still has the hold as the two fighters stand up. Machado tries to pull guard and Carney is on top dishing out payback. Machado works out from the bottom and now Carney has him in a standing guillotine. The hold is not set and Carney lets it go and is taken down again by Machado. From Carney’s guard, Machado is able to land punches before passing Carney’s guard and transitioning to rear mount. Machado has his hooks in and applies a rear-naked choke with ten seconds left. Carney taps, but it was after the bell rang and we go to round two.

Round 2: Machado comes out and lands a hard leg kick followed by a strong right. He takes Carney down and transitions to mount. From here Carney struggles to get out from under while defending Machados punches and shoulder strikes. Carney attempts to push Machado off, but exposes his back and Machado takes it. With plenty of time remaining in the round Machado is able to secure the rear-naked choke forcing Carney to tap at 3:18 in round two.