Ring of Combat VI: Total Devastation

*originally published April '04 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(April 24th, Elizabeth, New Jersey) Close to two thousand spectators came to the Rexplex Sports Complex tonight to witness some MMA action, and Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat 6 gave it to them in spades. With only one bout going to the judges’ cards, fans were treated to a few hard-fought victories mixed with total devastation, and representatives hailed from Pitts Penn, the Serra/Longo Competition Team, Fight Factory and Team Tiger Schulmann, among others. Highlights of the night included:

• Team Tiger Schulmann pitfire Mike Murray’s relentless barrage of punching, as it swiftly turned the tide of battle into his favor against crafty grappler Glenn Ortiz.
• Team Endgame/BAMMA slugger Carlos Moreno’s fists - one clean punch was all it took to make Erik Shaver’s eye swell shut, bringing an end to the bout and garnering Moreno the heavyweight belt.
• The long-awaited rematch between Serra/Longo Competition Team’s Drago and Pitts Penn’s Chris Liguori. This fight was all back-and-forth action, but it was Drago’s much-improved hands that proved the deciding factor this time around, as he stunned Liguori on the feet and finished business on the ground.

Results

Mike Murray (Team Tiger Schulmann-137lbs) vs. Glenn Ortiz (Wrestling Plus-138lbs)

Murray via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 3:51 of Round One.

Adam Fearon (Pitts Penn-184lbs) vs. Eddie Alvarez (Fight Factory-170lbs)

Alvarez via tapout due to strikes at 2:06 of Round One.

Jay Hieron (Bellmore Kickboxing/Rodrigo Gracie-170lbs) vs. Fernando Munoz (BAMA/Team Endgame-167lbs)

Hieron via tapout due to strikes at :33 of Round One.

Bret Perchaluk (SBG Hamilton-152lbs) vs. Jesse Moreng (Team Tiger Schulmann-152lbs)

Moreng via tapout due to strikes at :50 of Round One.

Jon McCaffrey (SBG Hamilton-204lbs) vs. Jordan Pergola (Bellmore Kickboxing/Rodrigo Gracie-204lbs)

Pergola via tapout due to strikes at :13 of Round One.

Luke Cummo (Serra/Longo-173lbs) vs. Josh Koscheck (American Kickboxing Academy-175lbs)

Koscheck by unanimous decision.
Ring of Combat Heavyweight Title

Erik Shaver (Bellmore Kickboxing-265lbs) vs. Carlos Moreno (BAMA/Team Endgame-260lbs)

Moreno via verbal submission at :31 of Round Two - congrats to the hard-hitting Ring of Combat champ!

Ring of Combat Middleweight Title
Chris Liguori (Pitts Penn-182lbs) vs. Pete “Drago” Sell (Serra/Longo-186lbs)
Drago via rear choke at :41 of Round Three. Once again, these two had the fight of the night!

New York MMA: Revisited

*originally published in the Dec ’04 issue of Full Contact Fighter*

Part I

The canvas is stained with blood and sweat. The exercise equipment is rusty and held together with duct tape. The place stinks of years of hard work and dedication. It’s Sunday night in a decrepit boxing gym in the South Bronx and the 60 or so spectators are getting inpatient. They’ve come from all over the city to witness what the educated would call mixed martial arts and what ignorant label as “human cockfighting”, and the show (dubbed “Ground Zero”) is now an hour and a half behind schedule. Word of mouth has brought them here, word of mouth and a desire to see some action. It’s a type of competition that’s been banned in New York State since 1997, but that ban hasn’t stopped it from evolving into a sport now accepted in most states and sanctioned by the boxing meccas of Nevada and New Jersey. Last year, kickboxing and MMA shows were inexplicably shut down all over New York – shows that had gone on unmolested for years. So what happens when the state refuses to sanction them? The fights go underground.

A fried chicken leg with a slice of white bread can be had for a dollar (hot sauce is free), and some people snack as the promoter scrambles to get more fighters. Thus far there’s a Muslim Tae Kwon Do specialist, a kickboxer from Jackson Heights, and a wrestler who just moved here from Baltimore. They wander around looking anxious and ready to scrap. The promoter, Peter Storm, originally had seven fights booked, but most of the competitors are no-shows. This leaves him high and dry. Enter: Kaream Ellington, a trained and chiseled fighter hailing from Combined Martial Arts in Queens. Ellington lives two subway stops away and has only come here to watch, but with some pro matches in New Jersey under his belt, he’s the closest thing to a local MMA stud most of these Bronx natives have ever seen. Immediately, Storm is all over him, begging him to step into the ring.

Without a sanctioning body to lay down some guidelines, the rules are really up to whoever puts on the show. But this event isn’t as much like “Fight Club” as it’s like the early days of the UFC. There are no weight classes, the time limit for each match is 15 minutes, and gloves are optional. The referee (Eddy Rolon - himself a very experienced pro-fighter from New Jersey) has insisted on mouthpieces for each competitor, although they can wear track pants, long-sleeved shirts or whatever. The first bout begins with the Storm – who’s also a judo black belt – squaring off against the kickboxer. Donning a blue gi, Storm rushes in and throws the shorter man to the canvas, then chokes him. The man on the bottom taps the ground in submission. It’s over in a minute and half, and as the referee separates the two combatants, the crowd cheers. The kickboxer is fine. He gives Storm a hug and they pat each other on the back.

The next bout lasts longer, with the wrestler going at it with a “freestyle” fighter. During a break in the action to remove someone’s unraveling handwrap, the out-of-breath combatants share a water bottle. The audience gives them a round of applause for their sportsmanship.

New York MMA: Revisited

*originally published in the Dec ’04 issue of Full Contact Fighter*

Part II

People walk in and take seats. Each person who arrives might be an undercover cop or Athletic Commission representative ready to call an abrupt end to the show, but Storm seems unconcerned. He’s still trying to convince Ellington to do him a huge favor and get into the ring. At six minutes in, the wrestler submits to a choke. As the ref separates the two, Ellington – despite nursing a hamstring injury and not having trained at all – finally agrees.

In the “locker room” (which is nothing more than a room upstairs with some battered chairs and tables), the pro gets ready as a radiator hisses and drips nearby. Downstairs, two more combatants go at it. Another freestyle fighter chokes a Tae Kwon Do guy until he gives up. It takes less than a minute. When they climb through the ropes and step down into the audience, the Tae Kwon Do stylist’s corner admonishes him for not just “pushing him off you and punching.”

His hands wrapped, his face set with determination, it’s Ellington’s turn now. He and his opponent, Felix Rodriguez, make their way into the ring. Rodriguez stands six-foot-one but weighs only 137 pounds. He faces off against Ellington in a match-up that would never happen in New Jersey or Nevada because the weight difference. The pro fighter takes off his shirt to reveal muscles that look like they’re carved out of stone. The crowd “oohs” and “ahhs”. Rodriguez is brave, and appears determined to put up a fight, but Ellington is never in any danger. For a minute and a half he batters the lighter man with his fists as they jockey for position on the canvas. Rodriguez’ corner throws in the towel and it ends. Sporting a few cuts and bruises on his face, he starts grinning once he catches his breath.

Now there’s only one bout left to go. Having won their respective matches in the impromptu four-man elimination tournament, Storm and Ellington square off - the judo black belt versus the pro. The two mix it up for a little more than three and half minutes while the audience cheers and hoots and hollers. Suddenly, Ellington torques the Storm’s arm until there’s a pop in the elbow joint. Storm submits.

It’s over. Slowly, the crowd filters out. “He broke my arm, yo,” Storm whispers to a friend. Nursing his elbow, he heads off to the emergency room at the nearby hospital. Ellington unwinds upstairs. The gym owners start packing up the chairs. Five fights went off and no one suffered any serious harm. Everyone seemed satisfied with what they saw. And most importantly, the police never showed to close Ground Zero down. As underground shows go, this one is a relative success.

* * *

New York MMA: Revisited

*originally published in the Dec ’04 issue of Full Contact Fighter*

Part III

“We have no jurisdiction over amateur events,” says Jerome Becker, who is one of the three commissioners on the New York State Athletic Commission. “We only have jurisdiction over events where the competitors are paid.”

When Becker speaks, he speaks sympathically on the plight of kickboxing and MMA in his state. But the law is the law, as the saying goes, and in New York the law prohibits professional “combat sport” events. In shutting down the shows, the NYSAC is just doing its job (a job mandated by the Legislature – who drafted are responsible for drafting the law). “I can’t tell you how many calls we got,” says Becker on the fallout his office had to deal with. “The sport was sort of hamstrung by the legislation, and we were limited by the statute.”

All is not doom and gloom for promoters, fighters, and fans, however, for Becker claims more favorable legislation looms on the horizon. “We’ll basically be deregulating it,” he says, “making it easier for people to do it.” He adds: “We’ll deregulate it like we did with wrestling. You know, the whole ‘free market’ concept.” And when can we expect this deregulation of professional combat sports to happen? “I hope some time after the summer. But,” he cautions, “in terms of the State’s budget, kickboxing is not at the top of the list.”

* * *

Ellington had agreed to fight without any concern for money, and even after the show was over had still not spoken to the promoter about it. “If I did make any money,” he says, “it would go towards books anyway.” Besides fighting, he’s also an undergraduate student at New York City Technical College. Ellington has designs on competing for the bigger shows someday – particularly the UFC, which pays its athletes in the thousands for each fight – but he got in the ring in that boxing gym in the South Bronx to help bring locals a taste of his sport. He got in there to show them what a real MMA fighter could do.

“I was happy,” Storm says over the phone a few days later. “Kaream Ellington saved my show.” As it turns out, Storm’s arm wasn’t broken, but he does have to keep it in a sling for a while.

Promising another event in June at a different location (“The boxing gym was good – for a bomb shelter.”), the trials Storm went through to get the first Ground Zero going seems to have given him little pause. Hopefully, his next event will go off at least as well as this one – so the seeds of MMA in New York can continue to grow.

Ring of Combat IV: Fists of Fury

*originally published Dec '04 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(December 14, Elizabeth, New Jersey) Fans and fighters alike braved sleet and snow to see Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat V at the Rexplex Sports Complex today, and with all bouts ending with either a flurry of strikes or a hard-won submission, there was action aplenty. Representatives hailed from BAMA/Team Endgame, the Serra/Longo Competition Team, Fight Factory and Team Tiger Schulmann, among others, and each of the 14 competitors left it all in the ring. Highlights of the night included:

• Team Tiger Schulmann rep Mike Murray’s patience and poise under fire. Opponent Valodia Gevorgyan quickly wore himself out swinging for the rafters, and was put to sleep courtesy of Murray’s tight triangle choke.
• Fight Factory stud Eddie Alvarez utilizing his wrestling skills to control Anthony Ladonna, and rain down knockout strikes from the mount.
• BAMA/Team Endgame slugger Carlos Moreno’s furious punching onslaught and opponent Justin Villella’s dogged determination and solid chin, as these two battled to either score the knockout or the takedown. Securing a TKO win, this was another impressive win for Moreno!

Results

Mike Murray (Team Tiger Schulmann-135lbs) vs. Valodia Gevorgyan (Tiger International-139lbs)

Murray via triangle choke at 4:10 of round one.

Anthony Ladonna (Serra/Longo-168lbs) vs. Eddie Alvarez (Fight Factory-166lbs)

Alvarez via KO (punches from the mount) at 3:57 of round one.

Mike Stine (Team Tiger Schulmann-199lbs) vs. Derex Johnson (Team Endgame-201lbs)

Stine via KO at :21 of round one.

Luke Cummo (Serra/Longo-181lbs) vs. Mike Thatcher (Alex Wilkie-186lbs)

Cummo via triangle choke at 1:53 of round two.

Jay Hieron (Bellmore Kickboxing/Rodrigo Gracie-170lbs) vs. Jermaine Johnson (Team Endgame-169lbs)

Hieron via rear choke at 1:02 of round one.

Chris Johnson (Team Tiger Schulmann-167lbs) vs. Rob Copenhaver (Practical Fighting Concepts-160lbs)

Johnson via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 1:21 of round one.
Justin Villella (Villella Fight Team-230lbs) vs. Carlos Moreno (BAMA/Team Endgame-262lbs)

Moreno via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at :39 of round two.

Ring of Combat IV Lights Up Atlantic City!

*originally published Aug '03 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(August 15th, Atlantic City, New Jersey) Well over a thousand spectators packed into the Palladium Ballroom here at Caeser’s in Atlantic City, braving power outages and blackouts for a night illuminated by TKOs and submissions. The fourth incarnation of Ring of Combat brought together the best in local talent, and representatives from Team Renzo Gracie, the Serra/Longo Competition Team, Team Tiger Schulmann, Pitt’s Penn, Team Prodigy and Team Endgame gave it their all. Highlights of the night included:

• Laura D’Auguste picking apart a game Tanya Vlahac with crisp combinations, eventually forcing the doctor to call a halt to the action when Vlahac’s eye became too swollen.
• Dave Tirelli’s rematch against Luke Cummo - both men gave it their all in a bloody war!
• Chris Liguori stepping up and testing Pete “Drago” Sell in a close match that saw experience and patience neutralizing grappling dominance in a back and forth ground and pound battle.

Results

Pro MMA

Greg Killian (Tri-State BJJ Team-185lbs) vs. Derek Johnson (BAMA/Team Endgame-189lbs)

Killian via split decision after 3 rounds.

Laura D’Auguste (Team Tiger Schulmann-134.5lbs) vs. Tanya Vlahac (134lbs)

D’Auguste via doctor stoppage at 1:58 of round 3.

John Rotendella (Pitts Penn-204lbs) vs. Tom Muller (Team Serra/Longo-209lbs)

Muller via rear choke at 3:37 of round 1.

Edson Carvalho (Tri-State BJJ Team-189lbs) vs. Jose Rodriguez (Pitts Penn-197lbs)

Carvalho via front choke at 1:31 of round 1.

Luke Cummo (Team Serra/Longo-175lbs) vs. Dave Tirelli (Team Tiger Schulmann-174lbs)

Tirelli via unanimous decision after 3 rounds - an all out war!

185-pound Ring of Combat Championship

Pete “Drago” Sells (Team Serra/Longo-184lbs) vs. Chris Liguori (Pitts Penn-182lbs)

Sells via split decision - Liguori is the man for really taking it to Drago in the last round! This was the fight of the night!

189-pound Ring of Combat Championship

James “Angry Snowman” Gabert (Team Renzo Gracie-192lbs) vs. Eddy Rolon (Team Endgame-189lbs)

Gabert via unanimous decision after 3 rounds.

Nick “Mad Monkey” Serra (Team Serra/Longo-170lbs) vs Rick McCoy (Team Prodigy-172lbs)

Serra via flying triangle at 2:58 of round 2.

USKBA Championship Kickboxing
Tim Lane (Panza Kickboxing-142lbs-USKBA champ) vs. Erik Marshall (141lbs-WKO champ)

Lane via KO (body blow) at 1:59 of round 4.

Reality Fighting 4: Score One for the Little Guy

*originally published July '03 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(July 19th, Bayonne, New Jersey) It was another successful night for Kipp Kollar’s Reality Fighting promotion as hundreds of spectators crammed into the Marist High School in Bayonne, New Jersey, to catch some local amateur mixed martial artists mix it up in the ring. On display: scorching hands, unstoppable takedowns, and more than a few chokes that ended up putting competitors to sleep, and rounding out the experience were guest appearances by UFC vets Matt Serra and Phil Baroni, and Pride vet Tim “Obake” Catalfo. Some highlights of the action in North America’s only octagonal-shaped ring included:

• Combined Martial Arts’ Gus Indjeyiannis making short work of his opponent, tagging Rocco Giordano with combos that sent him to the canvas twice in a little more than a minute.
• Tap Team’s fierce and extremely strong Hazem Ibrahim, as he scooped up his opponent and nearly threw him out of the ring, only to finish things with a bout-ending slam seconds later.
• The smaller Planet Jiu-jitsu representative Glen Sandull using superior wrestling to keep Super-Heavyweight champ Carlos Cline on his back for the entire bout - and walking away with the belt despite a nearly 30-pound weight disadvantage. Score on for the “little” guy!

Results

Jay Herien (Bellmore Kickboxing/Team Renzo-170 lbs) vs. Keith Plate (Island Jiu-Jitsu-167 lbs)

Herien by ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 1:28.

Rocco Giordano (Combative Solutions-176 lbs) vs. Gus Indjeyiannis (Combined Martial Arts-184.5 lbs)

Indjeyiannis by ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 1:18.

John Beneduce (Team Renzo/Universal Defense Systems-154.5 lbs) vs. Rob Copenhaver (Practical Fighting-156 lbs)

Beneduce via neck crank at 2:11.

Hazem Ibrahim (Tap Team-204 lbs) vs. Pat Russo (Alex Wilkie’s-198.5 lbs)

Ibrahim via tap out (Russo injured his arm while getting slammed) at 1:07 - Ibrahim is a beast!

Phillipe Nover (Team Renzo/Universal Defense Systems-184.5 lbs) vs. Ronald Stalling (Sekai-185 lbs)

Nover via guillotine at :43 - Stalling was put to sleep!

Brian Jackson (wrestling-180 lbs) vs. Jay Glover (Team Obake- 180lbs)

Jackson via guillotine at 1:04 - Glover was also put to sleep!

Super-Heavyweight Title Bout

Carlos Cline (Jerry Jones - 260 lbs) vs. Glen Sandull (Planet Jiu-Jitsu-234 lbs)

Sandull imposed his will throughout and Cline had no answer for his superior wrestling skills.

Sandull via unanimous decision after three rounds. Sandull is the new Reality Fighting Super-Heavyweight Champ!

Conan Silveira Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges

*originally published July '03 on fullcontactfighter.com*

Former Extreme Fighting heavyweight champ and UFC veteran Marcus “Conan” Silveira was arrested on June 20th by special agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency in Miami, Florida. Silveira, along with his brother Marcelo and 13 other people, are accused of being part of a drug smuggling ring that was responsible for bringing in over a million Ecstasy pills into the country from Spain. The case against the MMA pioneer is the culmination of a federal investigation that began two years ago (Silveira’s alleged participation in the smuggling is supposed to have occurred then), and the 15 were indicted and charged with conspiracy to import Ecstasy, possession to distribute Ecstasy, and money laundering. If convicted, these charges could mean up to 20 years in prison, while mandatory sentencing guidelines would likely mean of minimum of three years behind bars.

A founding member of the successful American Top Team, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor’s most memorable outings in the cage include losses to some of MMA’s greatest in Maurice Smith, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Dan Severn.

Ring of Combat III: Heart and Aggression

*originally published Jun '03 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(June 7th, Morristown, New Jersey) To the tune of over two thousand spectators, promoters Lou Neglia and Ray Longo’s Ring of Combat III gave some top-notch local boys a chance to shine here at the Mennen Sports Arena - and shine they did. Representatives from Team Renzo Gracie, the Serra/Longo Competition Team, Team Tiger Schulmann, Pitt’s Penn and Ultimate Sambo gave it their all. Highlights of the night included:

• James Gabert’s heart. As predicted, Rodriguez came to throw down, but with the 185-pound belt on the line it was Gabert’s hand that was eventually raised in victory. At one point, the heavy-handed Rodriguez seemed to have him out, but the “Angry Snowman” held on and soon turned the tide. This was the fight of the night!
• Elvis Garcia’s overwhelming aggression. Coupled with his accurate punches, this was the deciding factor in the 160-pound championship bout. Garcia is the man at 160 pounds!

Results

Grappling-only

Mike Wojcik (Team Freedom-147lbs) vs. Chris DiPaolo (Tong Dragon-157lbs)

DiPaulo via unanimous decision after 10 minutes.

Steve Kim (Team Renzo Gracie-177lbs) vs. Michael Wright (Ultimate Sambo-179lbs)

Kim via triangle choke at 1:46.

Pro MMA

185-pound Ring of Combat Championship

James “Angry Snowman” Gabert (Team Renzo Gracie-184lbs) vs. Jose Rodriguez (Pitt’s Penn-185lbs)

Gabert via unanimous decision after three rounds. Gabert is the new Ring of Combat 185-pound champ.

Tom Muller (Team Serra/Longo-205lbs) vs. Eirik Certo (Ultimate Sambo-197lbs)

Muller via rear choke at 2:04 of the round one.

Jay White (Team Renzo Gracie-242lbs) vs. Eric Shaver (Bellmore Kickboxing Academy-253lbs)

White via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 4:17 of round one.

Luke Cummo (Team Serra/Longo-175lbs) vs. Dave Tirelli (Team Tiger Schulmann-175lbs)

Cummo via doctor stoppage (due to a cut above Tirelli’s nose) at :46 of round two.

Pete “Drago” Sells (Team Serra/Longo-187lbs) vs. Derek Johnson (BAMA/Team Endgame-189lbs)

Sells via armbar at 2:03 of the first round. A good showing for Drago, despite a premature referee stoppage that had them restarting in the same position - with Johnson’s arm fully extended.

160-pound Ring of Combat Championship

Nardu Debra (Team Renzo Gracie/Universal Self-Defense-157lbs) vs. Elvis Garcia (Team Tiger Schulmann-161lbs)

Garcia via referee stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 1:34 of round one - his aggressiveness was just too much for Debra. Garcia is now the new Ring of Combat 160-pound champ.

Ring of Fury 3: A Night of Knockouts

*originally published May '03 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(May 3, Boston, Massachusetts) It was a night of knockouts here in Boston, as promoter Tom Hafers’ third Ring of Fury incarnation showcased some quick hands and heavy leather. Taking a page from the World Fighting Alliance’s “Fight Club meets the Nightclub” motif, Ring of Fury 3 packed over a thousand fans into a downtown club - and fed those fans a steady diet of techno-music, dancing girls, and MMA action. Highlights of the night included:

• Shelby Walker’s five-second knockout over Angela Wilson. Did “Shelbygirl” even get to break a sweat?
• The war between Canadian Denis Kang and Team Elite’s Keith Rockel, which was pretty much even - until Kang planted a right cross square on Rockel’s chin that sent the UFC vet to the canvas. This one was the fight of the night!
• Solomon Hutcherson’s strong opening assault of top-level fighter Jorge Rivera. After throwing Rivera around with his wrestling skills, Hutcherson rained down some punches - but once they were back on their feet, it was Rivera’s world. Congrat’s to both warriors for really putting on a show.

Results

Kevin Burkes (Animal House-177lbs) vs. Bobby Diaz (Boneyard -175lbs)

Dias via rear choke at 2:04 of the first round.

Joel Blanton (Animal House-178lbs) vs. David Garcia (178lbs)

Garcia via ref stoppage due to cut, at 1:07 of the first round.

Leo Sylvest (Integrated Fighting-186lbs) vs. Emyr Bussard (American Top Team-190lbs)

Bussard via armbar at 4:18 of the first round.

Devion Peterson (Integrated Fighting-196lbs) vs. Jay Thomas (Gillett's Academy-205lbs)

Peterson via KO at :16 of the first round.

Keith Wisniewski (Duneland Vale Tudo-172lbs) vs. Nuri Shakir (Team Elite-171lbs)

Wisniewski via guillotine choke at :46 of the first round - 46 second of furious action!

Shelby Walker (124lbs) vs. Angela Wilson (125lbs)

Walker via KO at :05 of the first round.

David Gardner (157lbs) vs. Marco Aurelio (American Top Team-160lbs)

Aurelio via triangle choke at 4:13 of the third round. Aurelio is now the USMMA Lightweight Champ!

Denis Kang (Marcos Soares JJ-194lbs) vs. Keith Rockel (Team Elite-194lbs)

Kang via KO at 2:59 of the second round - a stunning end to a great fight!

Solomon Hutcherson (Dave Strasser’s Freestyle Academy-205lbs) vs. Jorge Rivera (Team Elite-199lbs)

Rivera via KO at 3:01 of the first round - a good showing for both men. Rivera needs to be in the UFC!

BAMA’s FightNight 20 - Wow!

*originally published April '03 on fullcontactfighter.com*

(April 12 - South Plainfield, New Jersey) They came to fight - all 34 of the warriors that took turns stepping into the ring - and the crowd that practically filled up the gymnasium at the South Plainfield Middle School came to cheer them on and see some action. And I don’t think anyone could’ve come away disappointed. Bayside Academy of Martial Arts’ Dan Miragliotta put on another BAMA FightNight, and with two shootfighting belts on the line and some stellar performances by representatives of Fight Factory, Team BAMA and Pitt’s Penn, this twentieth incarnation had it all. Highlights of the night included:

• A fierce shock-and-awe campaign waged by “Knockdown” Joey Brown and Chris Liguori that would’ve had lesser men running for their underground bunkers. These two dropped bombs - and had the crowd on their feet and screaming.
• A pitched battle between Billy Craparo and Judah Ciervo that had Ciervo out on his feet early, but the Fight Factory exponent rallied with some solid Thai skills. Craparo garnered the split decision.
• The stunning knockout Carlos Moreno delivered to Eric Schneider. Moreno is the man with his heavy hands!

Results (note: no times were available)

Grappling

Terrence Shourts (158lbs- Team Endgame) vs. Marc Perugini (150lbs- Toshikan)

Shourts via keylock from the mount.

Muay Thai

Dan James (150lbs- Varlaro’s) vs. Tony Sanchez (Team BAMA)

Sanchez via unanimous decision.

Shootfighting

Nick Caggia (319lbs- David Adiv) vs. Rich Strehle (292lbs- Planet Jiu-jitsu)

Strehle via verbal submission due to strikes in overtime.

Joe Tabakhman (154lbs- Jay Lally’s) vs. Leandro Hernandez (173lbs- Alex Wilkie)

Hernandez via unanimous decision.

Barnes Reid (Team Endgame) vs. Mike Forte (201lbs- Alex Wilkie)

Forte via armbar.

Phil Mazzurco (183lbs- Alex Wilkie) vs. Mike Ciesnolevicz (213lbs- Team Korab)

Ciesnolevicz via guillotine choke.

Chris Scanlon (214lbs- Kioto) vs. Anderson Castro (Team Endgame)

Casrto via heelhook.

Glenn Ortiz (158lbs- Team Endgame) vs. Anthony Bodine (165lbs- Fight Factory)

Ortiz by heelhook.

165-180lbs Tournament

Steve Haigh (180lbs- Fight Factory) vs. Avidd Nolasco (169lbs- freestyle)

Haigh via rear naked choke.

Ray Santos (188lbs- Pitt’s Penn) vs. Dominick Piscicelli (177lbs- Team Endgame)

Santos via decision.

Steve Haigh (180lbs- Fight Factory) vs. Ray Santos (188lbs- Pitt’s Penn)

Haigh via anklelock. Haigh is now the FightNight 165-180lbs Division Champ.

195-210lbs Championship

Carmine Zocchi (202lbs- Marcelo Mello/Combined MA) vs. Chris Peschel (206lbs- Second Nature)

Zocchi via heelhook. Zocchi is now the FightNight 195-210lbs Division Champ.

MMA

Paxton Ryan (242lbs- Pitt’s Penn) vs. Richard Pauuliukonis (208lbs- Gene Fabrikant)

Pauuliukonis via neck crank.

Joey Brown (159lbs- Team Endgame) vs. Chris Liguori (178lbs- Pitt’s Penn)

Liguori via referee stoppage due to cut - a complete barnburner!

Ryan Kauffmann (155lbs- Pitt’s Penn) vs. Jay Isip (151lbs- Team BAMA)

Kauffmann via rear naked choke - a very technical fight.

Mike Correa (163lbs- Team BAMA) vs. Joshua Key (161lbs- Perth Amboy’s Finest)

Key via KO (kick to the solar plexus) - this was a good fight.

Billy Craparo (180lbs- Team BAMA) vs. Judah Ciervo (175lbs- Fight Factory)

Craparo via split decision - another great fight with back-and-forth action!

Eric Schneider (216lbs- Source Academy of Martial Arts) vs. Carlos Moreno (251lbs- Team BAMA)

Moreno by a quick and crowd-pleasing KO. Don’t stand and trade with Carlos!