Lauzon overwhelms Hammertrum at WCF 5

Dan Lauzon showed why he is ready to make the step up in competition with a very quick, decisive TKO win over Justin Hammertrum in the main event of World Championship Fighting 5. The win marked Lauzon’s seventh in a row and brings his professional MMA record to 11-2.

It took Lauzon just 45 seconds to drop Hammertrum with a big punch and subsequently ground and pound his way to a stoppage victory. Dan’s older brother Joe, a familiar face from the UFC, immediately jumped into the ring to embrace his victorious sibling.
Photo courtesy of Sherdog.com

In the post fight “farewell” interview, Lauzon thanked his family and friends for the support as well as the promoters. The thirteen fight veteran is now under contract with Affliction and will be fighting Chris Horodecki at the “Day of Reckoning” show on January 24th in California.

More event coverage, official results, and a bonus Dan Lauzon WCF5 montage after the jump.

In what could have been considered the co-main event of the evening, former Division 1 wrestling star Calvin Kattar strode past a very tough Bobby Dias with a quick submission victory. The two came out throwing some heavy leather in the initial exchanges as the crowd resounded with cheers. After Dias was rocked with a punch in the corner he instinctively went for the takedown. Much to his dismay, Kattar locked in the triangle choke immediately without hesitation and forced the tap at just 1:21 into round 1.

I was real impressed with Kattar’s solid, crisp boxing and improved Jiu Jitsu. Kattar is largely known on the local scene as a boxer and wrestler, but proved without a shadow of a doubt that he is no slouch in the Jiu JItsu game. He was certainly a real favorite with the crowd as well. The chants for “Calvin Kattar” were heard throughout the venue during much of the event leading up to his bout.  At one point I joked with my friend, “I think he brought his entire hometown of [Methuen] with him!”

Jose Lopez easily brought home the KO of the night honors with his absolutely brutal head kick on Wayne Harnois. The kick connected with a sickening thud and Harnois crumbled in a heap to the canvas. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the kick featured on future WCF promotional highlight reels for years to come.

Promoter Joe Cavallaro seems to do a great job at keeping his events on schedule and keeping the crowd engaged throughout the event. Event-goers were treated to the appearances of Joe Lauzon, Sean Gannon, Jorge Rivera and members of Kenny Florian’s family. Doctor Florian, Kenny’s father, was seen throughout the evening conversing with Roberto Maia, New England’s highest Jiu Jitsu professor and Black belt provider to Kenny himself.

The crowd was of a decent grade, but I found myself cringing and being utterly annoyed with the behavior throughout some of the card’s moments– something which is expected at any local MMA event. Incessant booing littered any fight where eight limbs weren’t involved in a feverish whirlwind at all times. Intoxicated twenty-something males whom were decked out in the latest Affliction and Tapout clothing shouted expletives during any moments of ground fighting, and also challenged fellow crowd members to brawls in between bouts. Finally, teeny-bopping females were constantly on the go through the various portions of the venue, alcoholic beverages in hand, ignoring and scoffing at the MMA action more than John McCain.

Conclusively, I was treated to a solid night of fights barring some minor childish antics displayed by the crowd. This night affectionately served as the appetizer for my action-packed weekend of MMA. I look forward to the next WCF event in 2009 which I am sure will not dissappoint.

Official Results
Chad Beane def. Joe McGann 1st Rd (Disqualification – illegal blows to back of the head)
Dan Ferrer def. Ethan Kean 3:36 1st Rd Submission (Kimura) 
James Pittner def. Robbie Roberts 0:31 1st Rd Submission (Guillotine Choke) 
Jose Lopez def. Wayne Harnois 0:35 1st Rd KO (Head Kick) 
Dan Bonnell def. Josh Spearman 3rd Rd Unanimous Decision
John Benoit def. Bill Jones 1:45 2nd Rd Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 
Stephen Stengal def. Jay Fortier :49 1st Rd TKO (Strikes) 
Greg Rebello def. Chris Canale 3rd Rd Split Decision
Calvin Kattar def. Bobby Dias 1:21 1st Rd Submission (Triangle Choke) 
Dan Lauzon def. Just Hammertrum 1:15 1st Rd TKO (Strikes)

Dan Lauzon vs. Justin Hammertrum – WCF5 Montage