Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Underground Combat League: “Face Off”

*originally published in the April '06 issue of Full Contact Fighter*

Sometimes you’re the hammer, and sometimes you’re the anvil. On April 9th, at the Underground Combat League’s ‘Face Off’ show at an undisclosed location in New York City, Gracie Barra black belt Emerson Souza made his mixed martial arts debut against Kaizenkai Karate/Mullero Dojo rep Angel Ortiz, while Andrew Montanez took on Ortiz’ teammate Angel ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez, and Mike Riccardi faced KaizenKai head-coach Mike Mullero himself. At Face Off, after nailing the takedown and raining down strikes from top position, Souza, Montanez and Riccardi were the hammer. And though their efforts were valiant, Ortiz, Rodriguez and Mullero inevitably ended up as the anvil. The latest installment of New York City’s only MMA event featured a fresh batch of rookies making their first venture into the realm of limited-rules combat, and though the bouts were quick, their was certainly a lot action.

It was textbook jiu-jitsu for the 135-pound Souza, as he nailed the takedown, moved into sidemount and then mount, and rained down strikes. The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt was just too much for the young 135-pound Ortiz, and the ref was forced to step in at :36 into the first round.

It can only get easier for Ortiz, who admitted he’s more of a striker than a grappler. “I respect him,” said Souza afterwards. “He was a tough opponent.” Why did the accomplished jiu-jitsu man step into the ring at the UCL? “I am a Gracie Barra black belt, a jiu-jitsu champion, a teacher – I’ve done everything in jiu-jitsu. What was the next step? Fighting was the next step.” And what does the future hold for Souza (who was actually offered a fight in Japan for K-1, but balked at the short notice the Japanese had given him)? “More fights. Definitely more fights.”

He’s the true definition of a workhorse. Team Shamrock 175-pounder Andrew Montanez fights everywhere and everyone, and does it frequently, and returned to the UCL after having fought twice at the WFL tournament in Massachusetts the week prior. Taking on 185-pound newcomer A-Rod, Montanez was able to showcase his wrestling against someone who preferred to stand and trade. A slick high kick to a single leg takedown and Montanez had it on the ground in no time. Working methodically into the mount, he leaned back and started punching, delivering punishment until the ref stepped in at 1:32 into the first round.

“I felt I could have banged with him, but I didn’t really feel the need to,” said Montanez. “I try to stay very active and didn’t wanna get cut.” Added the workhorse – who’s already line up two fights for May and one for June – “I knew my wrestling was better than his, but I didn’t wanna make it seem like I just wanted to wrestle so I threw some kicks to set it up.”

“I wanted to strike as I knew that was my advantage,” said A-Rod. “Andrew knew this as well and took it to the ground.” He added: “I made some mistakes this fight, rookie beginner mistakes. But it is part of the learning curve and I will come back stronger.”

In another match-up between a grappler and a striker, Team Renzo 205-pounder Mike Riccardi made his debut against accomplished striker and KaizenKai coach Mike Mullero. Weighing in at 193-pounds, Mullero was also taking his first foray into the MMA arena – and it ended up being a rough one. After a few tentative moments, Riccardi got the bodylock and put Mullero on his back. Working into mount as his opponent fought to get out from beneath him, Riccardi kept up the pressure with punches, and Mullero was left with no choice but to tap at 2:01 of Round One. It was a good win for Riccardi (who was expertly cornered by pro fighter Norm Schack), but hopefully both fighters will return.

A knee injury did little to prevent UCL mainstay Richie Torres (Kaizenkai Karate, 150 pounds) from entering the ring, as he took on a 152-pound street fighter named Marko Rodriguez. With Torres throwing his bread-and-butter round kicks until he could land a one-two combo, it was only a matter of time until he dropped Rodriguez with a blazing right. The ref stepped in at :56 of the first round after a mounted Torres delivered a slew of unanswered elbows.

Rounding out the card was a grappling match that paired the 170-pound Felix Rodriguez against Andrew Montanez. And as expected, it was a total dominance by Montanez (who was fighting jiu-jitsu black belts the week prior). Takedown to mount, and then a forearm across the throat was all she wrote; Rodriguez tapped at 1:54 of the first round.

Expect the Underground Combat League to return in June, with Shootfighting-style bouts as well as MMA.

No comments: