SUG 19 results: 'Cowboy' scores controversial finish of 'RDA,' gives immediate rematch
Submission Underground's final event of 2020 features a number of MMA notables crossing over to the world of submission-only grappling.
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Submission Underground’s final event of 2020 featured a number of MMA notables crossing over to the world of submission-only grappling, and two of them engaged in one of the most outrageous outcomes you’ll ever see in any combat sports event.
Submission Underground 19 streamed live on UFC Fight Pass from an undisclosed location in Oregon due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In the night’s co-feature, future UFC Hall of Famer Donald Cerrone scored a controversial overtime submission win over former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos – but that was only part of the story.
At the start of the match, dos Anjos pulled guard early before inverting and looking for a sweep, but Cerrone was able to scramble back to the feet. From there, dos Anjos was generally the one pushing for a takedown, though he did eventually elect to settle for guard once again. On the floor, he attacked the leg and rolled to sweep to top once again. However, he again couldn’t keep Cerrone on the canvas, and the two returned to the feet before grinding out the regulation period.
In the first overtime, dos Anjos took a lead on escape time, but in the second, after Cerrone escaped in just seven seconds from a back control, “Cowboy” then started from an armbar during his half of the frame. After hooking the leg, Cerrone went belly down and rolled with dos Anjos, whose left arm appeared to tap on the leg with his free hand while defending, and referee Dave Hagen called off the contest at the 0:20 mark.
The @Cowboycerrone submits RDA!
#SUG19 pic.twitter.com/nvglmxbxvw
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 21, 2020
While dos Anjos protested the stoppage and Cerrone offered to immediately contest the match again, “Cowboy” was awarded the win – though the two came back out to the cage after the final bout of the evening.
In what was deemed a “re-do” rather than a rematch, the two skipped a regulation period and began their overtime once again.
In the first overtime, dos Anjos started in the armbar position. He looked destined to get his own submission after going belly down, but Cerrone circled around and pulled free at 13 seconds. In the bottom of the frame, Cerrone also started from the armbar. He once again hooked the leg to open before putting both hands on the arm, leaning to his right and cranking to get a clear submission win the second time around.
The two embraced after the incredible show of sportsmanship, but Cerrone was awarded the win at the 23-second mark of the surprise overtime period.
Fowler taps Ishii; Bader outlasts ‘Rumble’ in overtime
Meanwhile, in the matchup that served as the night’s official main event, reigning Submission Underground champion Mason Fowler kept his title with an absolute overtime shellacking of Japanese Olympic gold medalist judoka and 11-year MMA veteran Satoshi Ishii.
At the start of regulation, Fowler was quick to pull guard, and while Ishii looked to lock things down on top, Fowler was able to isolate the left arm and go to work on a kimura. Just as it seemed he might have the hold, Ishii was able to roll and pull his arm free. From there, Fowler worked from rubber guard to try and threaten with a submission, but Ishii was able to turtle up and keep his limbs free, forcing overtime – though it would prove incredibly uncompetitive.
In Ishii’s three offensive attacks, he was able to hold Fowler for a total of just seven seconds. Meanwhile, Mason was able to control Ishii for 3 minutes and 40 seconds in their first two overtimes before submitting him in 11 seconds of the third via armbar.
In a featured matchup, Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader scored an overtime victory over a man who beat him in a 2016 UFC clash, Anthony Johnson.
Bader wasted little time at the start, reaching up and grabbing control of Johnson’s neck, looking for a choke or at least a snapdown, but “Rumble” was able to pull free after a few tense moments. Bader repeated the process through regulation, controlling the head and forcing Johnson to carry the weight.
Bader eventually drug the fight to the floor late in the frame, and he worked on isolating his opponent’s left arm. Johnson pulled it free after a brief threat, and the two headed to overtime. Once there, it was late replacement Bader, who stepped in for Fabricio Werdum, escaped three submission opportunities in less than 10 seconds each. While Johnson also avoiding tapping during the overtime frames, it was Bader who walked away with a victory via total escape time.
Jones wins again; ‘King’ Casey pulls out submission
Former Submission Underground champion Craig Jones remains known as a dangerous leglock specialist but showed more traditional techniques in a submission win over a gritty Brent Primus.
As expected, Jones sat down to start but quickly switched to the top as they engaged. From there he immediately went to attack Primus’ neck, but the former Bellator champ was able to pull free after a few tense moments and eventually seeing a full reset to their initial stance.
On his second entry, Jones transitioned seamlessly from an attack on the arm to the leg and eventually to the back, where he locked in a rear-naked choke and committed to the squeeze. It took a few adjustments, but he eventually scored the tap at the 3:50 mark of regulation.
Craig Jones wins a wild match with Brent Primus! #SUG19 @SUG_Grappling pic.twitter.com/dfRsBp9SNL
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 21, 2020
In an openweight contest, UFC and Bellator veteran Kevin Casey picked up a come-from-behind submission win in the third overtime of his match with RFA and LFA veteran Gabriel Checco.
Down on total escape time going into the frame, Casey scored an armbar submission over Checco in the top half of the overtime and then was able to last the necessary 23 seconds in the bottom half to claim victory over “Zangief.”
Loewen taps Spencer for women’s title
In the night’s first main-card contest, Amanda Loewen was able to claim the inaugural Submission Underground women’s title with a submission win over Felicia Spencer.
It was former UFC women’s featherweight title challenger Spencer who was able to score a takedown early in the regulation period against 10th Planet Portland black belt Loewen. However, Spencer was unable to pass her opponent’s guard, and Loewen eventually was able to turn her hips and lock herself into an armbar position. Spencer tried to stack, but Loewen was able to sweep her to her back and extend the right arm to score a tap and the title at the 3:47 mark of regulation.
Just like that! #SUG19
Amanda Loewen is crowned the first ever @SUG_Grappling Women's champion! pic.twitter.com/lQa6noKKA1
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 20, 2020
Submission Underground 19 results include:
MAIN CARD
- Donald Cerrone def. Rafael dos Anjos via submission (armbar) – Overtime 1, 0:20
- Champ Mason Fowler def. Satoshi Ishii via submission (armbar) – Overtime 3, 0:11 – to retain absolute championship
- Donald Cerrone def. Rafael dos Anjos via submission (armbar) – Overtime 2, 0:20
- Ryan Bader def. Anthony Johnson via escape time – Full time
- Craig Jones def. Brent Primus via submission (rear-naked choke) – Regulation, 3:50
- Kevin Casey def. Gabriel Checco via submission (armbar) – Overtime 3, 0:23
- Amanda Loewen def. Felicia Spencer via submission (armbar) – Regulation, 3:47 – for inaugural women’s title
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Andy Varela def. Cris Lencioni via submission (rear-naked choke) – Overtime 1, 0:30
- Phill Schwartz def. Alex Larmey via submission (rear-naked choke) – Overtime 3, 0:34
- Charlie Gilpin vs. Paul Kaufman via submission (guillotine choke) – Regulation, 0:40
- Denny Prokopos def. Don Stoner via submission (armbar) – Overtime 1, 0:03