Mortimer upsets Oishi at Rize 5

by Chris Postupalski

Integrated Martial Arts fighter Michael Mortimer got the upset win over Masahiro Oishi at Rize 5, which was held in front of a impressive and very educated crowd at the Chandler Arena, on the outskirts of Brisbane.

Mortimer started the fight on the front foot coming in hard, which Oishi capitalised on by getting the takedown. Mortimer showed improved wrestling skills and was able to scramble back to his feet. Shortly after Oishi secured the back and was able to roll Mortimer while attempting the rear-naked choke.  Oishi transitioned to the armbar, and when it looked like Mortimer’s arm was about to snap, the Aussie fighter executed a perfect escape technique. Mortimer took control for the final minute of the round landing nicely timed punches and solid knees in clinch. Mortimer showed that he is still in the fight by securing his own takedown late in the round. A close round, which Oishi may have just taken, however wouldn’t be surprised if judges gave it a draw.

Oishi got an early takedown, however Mortimer scrambled out and countered with a big slam. The tide was turning in Mortimer’s favour as he started to pick his punches better and defend the takedown attempts. Oishi did get the back of Mortimer again, however Mortimer was able to defend well and while on his back landed an up-kick that Oishi immediately protested. Referee advised Oishi that it is not an illegal shot. Mortimer finished off the round with a takedown. Another close round, with Mortimer possibly edging it.

Mortimer’s one-two punches were really finding their mark in the third and his confidence grew stopping two takedown attempts from Oishi.  Mortimer cut Oishi on the top of the head with an elbow, and the referee stopped the fight to have a look at the cut. The fight continued and after another one-two, Oishi turned his back and walked away, forcing referee Pete Hickmott to end the fight, 3:47 into the third.

Michael Mortimer wins the vacant bantamweight Rize championship.

In the semi-main event, Japanese fighter Eiji Murayama defeated Hugh Cameron via KO. Once the fight hit the ground, Murayama dominated the ground and getting the crucifix position from the top twice throughout the fight. Cameron to his credit, never gave up and scrambled to his feet a few times looking for the knockout in a high paced fight. Beginning of the third, Cameron came forward and was countered by a punch that dropped the Australian unconscious, giving Murayama the win at 0:06 of the third.
Murayama wins the vacant featherweight Rize championship.

PUMMA fighter Lenny Kent used his superior height advantage to win a unanimous points decision over Jade Jordan.  In a competitive bout, Kent came close to finishing the fight in the second round as he took Jordan’s back and attempted to get the rear-naked choke, however Jordan stayed strong and after a minute of defending escaped.  Both fighters scored with takedowns, with Kent doing more with his takedowns to take the win.

In the first Japan vs. Australia fight on the card, Ken Yasuda took on Ryan Dunstan. Dunstan got the early takedown, and Yasuda countered with a kimura. Dunstan escaped and was on top in side control. Yasuda attempted a leg lock, which left him over open for the ground and pound. Dunstan unloaded with punches, that knocked out Yasuda to give Ryan Dunstan the win, 3:13 into the first.

Rod Staader dominated Leigh Allwood in a patient and slow fight, with the majority of the fight occurring with Allwood on his back and Staader on top inside his guard. In that position, Staader remained patient just doing enough to not have the fight stood up. Allwood came in with a flurry of punches at the beginning of the third, and Staader attempted the standing guillotine. With the submission hold, Staader dragged his opponent to the ground where he was able to take the back and secure the rear-naked choke for the submission win.

A fighter to look out for is Shane Wundenberg who made quick work of his New Zealand opponent Adam Calver. Calver landed a nice one-two before Wundenberg charged in with punches followed by the takedown. Landing in side-control, Wundenberg attempted to get mount, before transitioning to the armbar giving him the victory, 1:34 into the fight.

Chris Bridgewater had no quit in him as Nate Thomson unloaded with a barrage of punches for two and a half rounds before the referee decided he had seen enough. Thomson immediately went for the takedown and after transitioning from guard to side control, he unloaded with elbows before transitioning to mount. From there he unloaded with punches, but credit to Bridgewater who was covering up well. Bridgewater used the cage to push off and roll landing eventually into mount. Bridgewater attempted a triangle from the mount position, however Thomson escaped and landed in side control before again securing mount, where he was able to unload with more punches. Much of the same in the second, as Thomson secured mount again and unloaded with elbows which forced referee to stop it at 2:30 of the second.

Masoud Abdolllahpouri had one of the most impressing performances as the big heavyweight showed flashy spinning kicks on route to a tko win over Hale Vassa who was announced as a former North Queensland cowboy player. Abdollahpouri dropped Vassa early in the first and postured up in guard, unloaded with punches that forced referee Steve Perceval to stop the fight. Vassa was disappointed with the stoppage claiming that he could have continued. Nonetheless a impressive performance from Abdollahpouri in his debut fight.

To all those ‘anti females fighting in mma’, Alice Chambers versus Jessica Tolhurst was another example of why females deserve their chance to compete as well as the two young girls put on an entertaining bout.  Tolhurst finished the fight strong against a tiring Chambers, however Chambers from the VT-1 gym got the better of the first two rounds dominating on the ground and including a knockdown in the second. Alice Chambers would get the decision.

The night got started with a bang, as Tim Radley scored a quick 9 second victory in his debut fight against Vincent Dyer. Radley caught the leg of Dyer, and hit his opponent with a right that dropped him. From there he unloaded with three more shots before the referee called the fight.

Rize continues to grow as an MMA promotion. Rize returned to Chandler July 31 with more entertaining bouts scheduled.