King Of Champions
"Rage 2009"
Written by J.R. GordonSaturday night November 14, 2009, despite a free UFC on Spike TV and a blizzardesque snowstorm, fight fans came out in force to watch the King Of Champions, "Rage 2009" MMA event at the Ritchie Center in Denver, Colorado. Fans were treated to 10 bouts including two professional bouts and two titles being contested.
In the main event Chris Camozzi defeated UFC veteran Chad Reiner. Both fighters worked strong striking to open the bout with Camozzi land the more accurate punches. When the fight hit the ground Camozzi was able to control position and work GNP while Reiner defended and worked to set up submissions. Round two had an early striking exchange that ended with Camozzi landing a strong head kick that Reiner trapped and turned into a single leg takedown. On the mat Reiner worked some GNP before Camozzi got a reversal to work GNP of his own from side control. Camozzi used a strong flurry of elbow strikes to set up an D'Arce choke and at 4:55 of round two he got it closed off for the win.
Ryan Davis defeated Santana Martinez in a professional bout. There was an early striking exchange between the combatants before it hit the ground where the rest of the match took place. Both fighters scored with reversals, escapes, submission attempts, positional dominance and strong GNP. After a scramble Davis tried for an armbar off of back control but Martinez defended and escaped the lock. Then after getting a sweep and pressing Martinez into the cage Davis again set up an armbar and this time he was able to get it locked in for the tapout victory at 4:59 of round one.
Joe Guiterrez defeated Jarrod Lopez. Both fighters came to the center of the cage to enter into a striking exchange. At the end of a flurry it was a strong overhand right from Guiterrez that landed solid and got him the TKO win at :13 of round one.
Matt Vigil defeated James Smith for the KOC 145 lb. amateur title. The fight went to the canvas early with a good scramble that ended with both fighters coming back to standing. Smith then got a takedown and secured back control to set up an RNC attempt that Vigil defended until the final ten seconds before he was able to turn and work GNP to end the round. Round two had Vigil getting a single leg takedown to set up back control. From the back Vigil was able to set in the RNC and close it off to retain the title at :24 of round two. Vigil ended his amateur career with a win and as a title holder. The next time we see him it will be as a professional fighter.
Joey Banks defeated Geoff Brokx. Both fighters showed off their strong and technical striking before Brokx got a bodylock slam. On the ground Banks tried for an armbar that Brokx looked to escape out the back door. Banks then secured what can best be described as a cross body triangle choke and he got the tapout and the win at 2:00 of round one.
Jimmy Soiland defeated Eric Moya. Off of the clinch Moya set in a standing guillotine choke then pulled guard looking to close it off. Soiland was able to defend and escape the choke and the fighters scrambled to standing and spent the rest of the round exchanging strikes. Round two had Moya initiating a takedown but Soiland landing on top. Soiland stood to land some GNP before letting Moya stand. Soiland then got a bodylock that he turned into a huge scoop slam to end round two. Round three was initially standing action before Moya got a duck under to secure standing back control. He used the positon to score with a big belly-to-back suplex. On the ground Moya got a body triangle from back control and spent the majority of the round working between GNP and RNC attempts. With a few seconds left in the fight Soiland was able to turn in and land some strikes before the bell sounded. The judges decision was a unanimous one in favor of Jimmy Soiland.
Carlos Huerta defeated Ronnie White for the KOC 125 lb. amateur title. Huerta got a takedown into side control to set up a strong GNP attack. From there he worked to full mount for more GNP to get the title winning TKO at 2:20 of round one.
Isaias Gomez defeated Calvin Smedes. Round one was all standing action with each landing solid kicks and accurate punches. Punches twice dropped Gomez and each time Smedes elected to let him stand so the striking battle could continue. Round two had Gomez getting a double leg takedown, but off of his back Smedes tried for a triangle choke. The referee stopped the bout after Gomez landed an illegal knee to the face of Smedes. After the restart Gomez got a double leg takedown and ended the round with GNP as Smedes stayed active with submission attempts off of his back. Round three saw Gomez get a takedown, transition to full mount and work strong GNP to get the TKO win at :37 of round three.
Andrew Alverez defeated Dustin Walters. Alverez got a big takedown but the action stopped when he landed an illegal back of the head punch. After the restart Alvarez scored with a double leg takedown, worked to mount, scored with GNP then set in a shoulder choke to get the submission victory at 2:21 of round one.
Raymond Duran defeated Julian Gonzales. Duran quickly got a takedown and off of his back Gonzales worked rubber guard. Duran stood, slammed Gonzales, passed guard worked GNP and set in a guillotine. Duran rolled trying to get a topside guillotine. Gonzales was able to defend the topside choke, but when Duran pulled guard he was able to get it closed off for the guillotine submission victory at 1:05 of round one.
"Of The Night" Moments:
Entrance song of the night goes to Joey Banks for coming out to Dean Martin's, "Kick in the head."
Slams of the night go to Jimmy Soiland and Eric Moya. In their fight Soiland got a textbook huge scoop slam and Moya landed a perfect belly-to-back suplex.
KO/TKO of the night goes to Joe Guiterrez for his 13 second fight ending TKO.
Chin of the night goes to Chad Reiner for somehow withstanding the head kick that his opponent landed and using it to get a takedown.
Submission of the night goes to Joey Banks for his unusual but fight winning cross body triangle choke.
Fight of the night goes to Chris Camozzi and Chad Reiner for their entertaining bout. With takedowns, strong and accurate strikes, submission attempts, reversals and escapes the two combatants showed why they are worthy of headlining an event. While Camozzi controlled most of the action Reiner always stayed within the bout and had many wondering if he was going to be able to pull off the come from behind victory at any moment.
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Best in Health and Training, J.R. Gordon.
