Despite broken foot Jens Pulver wins spilt decision over Wade Choate at Chicago Cagefighting Championship

At 36 years of age former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver (24-14-1) is not done yet. Pulver was called upon by up and coming Illinois promoters the Chicago Cagefighting Championship to headline their third ever MMA event. On the opposite side of the cage Pulver was matched up with Illinois journeyman Wade Choate (13-13).

Pulver and Choate stood toe to toe and slugged it out for the much of the 15 minute fight.Pulver looked to hunt down his opponent with winging punches while Choate circled away and employed a counter attack strategy. A hard left kick from Pulver nailed Choate, but sent "Lil Evil" backing up with visible pain in his foot.

In the second frame both combatants were content to stand and trade punches, with neither Pulver nor Choate attempting to move the fight to the floor. The apparent foot injury did not affect Pulver until the third round. Choate took control of the fight in the final five minutes and landed a handful of power shots on Pulver. Pulver did not back down and continued to press forward and exchange punching combinations with Choate.

After three rounds the judges scored the fight in Pulver's favor via a 29-28 (x2) split decision victory.A 12 year pro, Pulver reviled after the fight that he did indeed break his left foot in the opening round of his fight with Choate. Pulver now has won two fights in a row after a rough a six fight losing skid that saw the former WEC featherweight contender leave the Zuffa owned organization. With a recent switch of training camp to Team Curran in Illinois, both of Pulver's wins have come in the Prairie State.

Carson Beebe (6-1), the top prospect on the undercard, was also in action. Beebe was upset by fellow Illinois fighter Giovanni Moljo (4-2) in under a minute. A strong wrestler, the 22 year old Beebe looked to bring the fight to the floor with a takedown attempt. Moljo countered Beebe's second takedown attempt with a triangle choke submission.

Moljo was able to reposition his legs and trap Beebe in an inverted triangle choke. Unable to escape the submission hold Beebe passed out from the hold before he was able to tap out. With the win Moljo has now won two straight fights to begin 2011 and both victories have come via triangle choke submissions.

Despite the loss Beebe remains a viable bantamweight prospect, backed up by not only his six pro wins but also a impressive 6-0 amateur MMA career.

Chicago Cagefighting Championship results
Villa Park, IL

Jason Graves def. PJ Cajigas by submission rear naked choke 0:31 R1
Will Brooks def. Guillermo Serment by submission rear naked choke 0:45 R2
Chris Haney def. Joey Diehl by submission triangle choke 3:39 R2
Christian Reynos def. Ray Grindstaff by submission armbar 1:09 R2
Eric Kriegermeier def. Michael Santiago by submission rear naked choke 3:48 R2
Giovanni Moljo def. Carson Beebe by submission inverted triangle choke 0:52 R1
Mike Pitz def. Dan Bolden by submission triangle choke 4:38 R1
Felice Herrig def. Andrea Miller by TKO 3:30 R1
Chase Beebe def. Steve Kinnison by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jens Pulver def. Wade Choate by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)