Celebrity Fighters in Attendance:
Eliot Marshall - TUF Cast Member
Kevin 'The Monster' Randleman - Former UFC & PRIDE Champion
Write up courtesy of Ernest Looney of Sudden Victory MMA.
Thanks to Mike and MMA Buzz for hooking me up and getting me into this event.
What a great night of fights at the Crowne Plaza Events Center. I had to ask several times, “There were no pro bouts?”. There were probably 2 to 3 fights that would have been fight of the night on any other card, but tonight they just added to the action packed night that made everyone feel good about an entertainment purchase this close to Christmas.
Fight #10 was an action packed bout for the Light Weight title between Tom Sarah and Chase Hackett. This was an action packed bout that went back and forth. This is one you had to be there to see. Great stand up, good defense, and takedowns and grappling. End the end, the judges saw it for Sarah in a split decision, but as I heard one gentleman say, “That’s an opinion, not a decision!” Very close bout, and could have went either way. The only round I had definite was round 2 for Sarah.
Fight #9 also, went the distance, but with not quite the excitement, but a good fight nonetheless. Riser just didn’t want to engage, and in the end, Bowen, the aggressor, took the unanimous decision.
No, not every fight went the distance, but I just think this just says something about some good match making.
Fight #8, a fight between Brian Scott and Dan Craft. Although Scott was a game opponent, he had no answer for Dan Craft’s ground game. Karate no beat wrestling in MMA!
Fight #7, another title fight, also went the distance. Banks and Macias went toe to toe, and Banks was just the better striker on this night. Macias’ counter punching wasn’t reaching its target. In the end it was a unanimous decision for Banks.
Fight #6 the first title match of the night, the JR Lightweight Title, and also my pick for Fight of the Night! Matt Vigil worked hard on getting the take down in the first round; it was pretty evident he didn’t want to test the stand up of Travis Hollis for very long. Travis showed he was game on the feet or ground. In round 2, Vigil did a lot of work, and put in 2 nice!!! Chokes, DEEP. Travis worked hard and escaped both times. I was amazed. Again, a lot of action both ways. In the 3rd round, again a lot of action with Travis getting the better of the stand up in the beginning of the round, I also think if you broke up the round, Travis was in a dominate position longer, but the activity and danger that he but on Matt may have cost him this round, because when Matt got his opportunity, and made the most of it, and finished with a flurry from the top in round 3 … Quite possibly the fight went to the final 10 seconds, and those went to Matt Vigil, and the judges saw the split decision in his favor. He walked out that night, the KOC Jr. Lightweight Champ, and the KD Featherweight Champ!! Great Fight!!
Fight #5 was a battle of the big men, with a lot of initial action. I believe the flurry exhausted both fighter, but they fought through until Bart Palmer got the TKO in the 2nd round with …. “TKO strikes”.
Fight #4 was a quick battle between Mondragon and Ohara. Standing guillotine by Mondragon within the first minute, and with that, I would say my Sub of the Night.
Fight #3 also a quick battle, this one between Gerald Martinez and David Romero. This one also ended in the first round, this one by RNC by Romero.
Fight #2 ended in the first round as well, Wymer got the action to the ground, work hard to get his position, trapped Coopers hand, and started the pound to the face, and left the ref no choice but to stop the fight.
Fight #1 started the action in extraordinary fashion. This fight, also worthy of Fight of the Night was between Josh Kissel and Tony Miller. Let me just say this Josh Kissel is a GAMER, these guys fought. Tony took a few good shots, but I think in the end, his conditioning, and superior striking let him to victory with “TKO strikes” in the 3rd round.
All in all, a great night of fights. The crowd was great, the fights were great.
