 White Belt
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Christmas came early for the thousands of fans that packed Douglas County Event Center. With eleven fights on the card, including two championships on the line and the Ring of Fire debut for a UFC veteran, it was obvious that promoter Sven Bean was playing Santa Claus to devoted Colorado mixed martial arts fans. Without one dull moment in the ring, the Ring of Fire proved again that it is one of the best fight organizations in the world.
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Fight #1: Kenny May vs. Sean Doherty, 145 pound bout
If you arrived more than a minute late to the arena, you missed the first fight. The fighters started exchanging strikes, with Doherty landing some nice kicks to the body. After a flurry of fists in the corner thrown by both fighters, May caught Doherty on the button and put him to sleep just 36 seconds into round one.
Winner by KO at 0:36 of Round 1: Kenny May
Fight #2: Brad Champlain vs. Jeremy Malaterre, 170 pound bout
Round 1-After a short feeling out process, the fight quickly went to the ground, with Malaterre taking top position, and working his ground and pound. Champlain had some impressive submission attempts from the bottom, but couldn’t overcome Malaterre’s strength. The crowd went crazy from the grappling clinic put on by both fighters, both of whom had great chances to grab victory. Because he was able to secure top position most of the round, I gave Malaterre the round 10-9.
Round 2-More exciting than the first round, Champlain quickly gets the mount. Malaterre survives the position for a good 90 seconds, before giving up his back. Before Champlain can get his hooks in, Malaterre reverses position and gets in mount, and eventually takes Champlain’s back. Not able to secure a rear naked choke, the round ends, with a tie score from me, and an even crazier crowd.
Round 3-Champlain wastes no time taking Malaterre down, but Malaterre quickly takes the top position in Champlain’s guard. Working from the bottom, Champlain is able to secure an armbar for the win in a classic ROF battle.
Winner by submission via armbar at 0:59 of round three: Brad Champlain
Fight 3: Marc Grow vs. Ken Seegrist, 205 pound bout
Seegrist immediately lands some impressive punches, but Grow takes control with a body takedown. They soon jump to their feet, where both fighters start throwing strikes. Seegrist connects and Grow is knocked down. Though Grow seemed to recover quickly, the ref jumped in to stop the fight (prematurely, according to Grow’s corner and many fans) just 33 seconds into the first round.
Winner by KO at 0:33 of round one: Ken Seegrist
Fight 4: Ben Henderson vs. Chad Klingensmith, 170 pound bout
Round 1-Henderson’s unorthodox standup left him open to punishment, as he absorbed numerous punches and kicks from Klingensmith through the entire round. However, Henderson showed some outstanding toughness, as he didn’t seem to flinch, even after Klingensmith landed hard punches to the head. Henderson was able to land a few strikes and showed great takedown defense, but I gave the round to Klingensmith 10-8.
Round 2-Klingensmith recovered from catching a finger to the eye early in the round. The two fighters traded strikes throughout an action-filled round. Both fighters landed punches, kicks, and knees to the head that would put a normal person to sleep. However, with the damage that these fighters were putting on each other, it was only a matter of time before someone was knocked out. Sure enough, Klingensmith landed a hook to Henderson’s chin at the 1:47 mark, sending a dazed Henderson to the mat. This fight was a battle of heart, as these are two of the toughest fighters I have ever seen; no weak chins here!
Winner by KO at 1:47 of round two: Chad Klingensmith
Fight 5: Tyler Toner vs. Joey Jesser for the 145 pound Young Gun belt
Round 1-The fighters started off on their feet, but quickly took it to the ground. A great display of jiu-jitsu and constant position change, Toner squeaks out of the first round leading 10-9. Without taking anything away from Jesser’s stellar round, Toner showed a bit more aggression and had better positioning on the ground.
Round 2-Another thrilling round, with the fight immediately going to the ground, and Jesser taking the dominant position. After the ref had both fighters go to their feet, Jesser rocked Toner with a right hook, and landed a great single leg take down, taking the top position while Toner worked from various guards to slow down the aggressive Jesser. I give this round to Jesser, 10-9.
Round 3-Once again, Jesser moved the fight to the ground and secured top position. Toner worked submissions from the ground, landing a near omoplata and armbar, before securing on a tight triangle. Jesser was bound in Toner’s triangle for a good minute, but demonstrated his toughness by not tapping out. The arena was shaking from the crowd noise, and rightfully so, as this fight was full of fast action, snappy stand-up, and strong ground moves. I gave the round to Toner 10-9.
Winner by Split decision: Tyler Toner, Toner crowned 145 lb Young Gun Champion
Fight 6: Justin Salas vs. Kris Hartman, 170 pound bout
Round 1-The fighters decided to keep this fight on their feet. Though Hartman showed great takedown defense and a granite chin, he was not able to land many shots, and took a beating. Salas showed fine stand up boxing style, landing hands to Hartman’s face, and an impressive ability in the clinch, landing some devastating knees. Salas went up 10-8 on my scorecard.
Round 2-Aware of Hartman’s incredible toughness, Salas takes the fight to the ground, works his ground and pound on Hartman. Hartman responded with some nice striking from the bottom, landing a few elbows and up-kicks, but it wasn’t enough to slow Salas. Round goes to Salas 10-8.
Winner by unanimous decision: Justin Salas
Fight 7: John Dodson vs. Clint Godfrey, 135 pound bout
Round 1-Exciting is the only way to describe these lightweights. The first 20 seconds saw two flying knees by Dodson and two superman punches by Godfrey. When was the last time you saw that in a heavyweight battle? Dodson gets the takedown and top position, but isn’t able to do anything for a few minutes as Godfrey works various leg locks from the bottom. Dodson finally gets a good position and uses his ground and pound to escape with a 10-9 lead in round one.
Round 2-Godfrey looks fatigued, so Dodson takes advantage by taking the fight to the ground and once again using his superior ground and pound to win round two 10-9. Though he attempted submissions from the bottom, Godfrey did not have enough gas in the tank to get through this round successfully.
Winner by unanimous decision: John Dodson
Fight 8: Matthew Monachy vs. Andre Walker: 200 pound K-1 rules bout
Round 1-The first and only kickboxing match on the card featured local kickboxer Andre Walker taking on Australian superstar Matthew Monachy. The Australian landed some heavy kicks, but the larger Walker was too much for him to handle. Monachy avoided significant damage the first time Walker boxed him in a corner and landed numerous punches. A few seconds later, Walker backed Monachy into the same corner, and landed punch after punch while Monachy had no other response but cover until the ref stepped in a little under the two minute mark. Monachy showed his warrior spirit walking away almost unharmed, despite eating numerous punches from the much larger Walker.
Winner by TKO at 1:58 of the first round: Andre Walker
Fight 9: Mark Hominick vs. Doug Edwards: 145 pound bout
Round 1-Though Edwards was able to land some good leg shots on Hominick, the UFC veteran and world-class kickboxer Hominick showed his superior striking skills. Hominick bobbed and weaved, avoiding serious damage, while landing punches and kicks on the taller Edwards. Hominick’s movement in the ring reminded me of Muhammed Ali, and Hominick took the round 10-9.
Round 2-The first part of the round mirrored the previous five minutes, with Edwards keeping Hominick at bay with defensive leg kicks while Hominick danced around the ring landing punch and kick combinations. With the fighters tangled in the corner, they fell to the ground landing in Edwards’ half guard, where Hominick wasted no time taking Edwards’ back and sinking in a rear naked choke as the round ended.
Winner by submission via rear naked choke at 4:08 of round two: Mark Hominick
Fight 10: Dan Green vs. Eliot Marshall, 205 pound bout
Round 1-Marshall, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, shot in for a single leg takedown as soon as the fighters squared up. His shot took Green by surprise, as Marshall landed in Green’s half guard, and soon secured a side mount. Marshall then dropped several hammerfists and elbows onto Green, allowing him to distract Green enough to take full mount. Green gave Marshall his back, and tapped out when Marshall locked in a rear-naked choke in the first minute.
Winner by submission via rear naked choke at 0:46 of round one: Eliot Marshall
*It should be known that Green took this fight on just a week’s notice
Fight 11: MAIN EVENT for the 155 pound title:
Alvin Robinson vs. Rocky Johnson
Round 1: After a few punches and kicks had been traded, both fighters try to secure positioning for a body takedown. They break, and Robinson takes a long shot, securing a double leg takedown that sends both fighters to the canvas. Robinson quickly takes the mount, and swings his leg across to fall into position for an armbar. Johnson escapes the submission attempt, but Robinson quickly regains control on Johnson’s back. With hooks set in on Johnson’s legs, Robinson is able to work for Johnson’s neck, and locks in the rear naked choke for the win.
Winner by submission via rear naked choke at 2:27 of round one, and still 155 pound champion: Alvin Robinson.
Here are my awards from a great night of Mixed Martial Arts:
Submission of the night: Brad Champlain’s armbar on Jeremy Malaterre
Knockout of the night: Kenny May’s right hook to Sean Doherty’s chin in the first minute of the first fight.
Entrance of the night: John Dodson’s sprint to the ring, followed by a back flip off of the ropes. Runner up: Ken Seegrist playing air guitar to Jimi Hendrix
Fight of the night: I actually had two fights of the night. The Malaterre/Champlain fight was incredibly intense with a super finish. The Jesser/Toner fight had the crowd rocking, and ended with an intense split decision.
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