We arrived at Premier FC 18 in Springfield Mass. We navigated through the parking garage and found out spot. There were a ton of people parking and trying to get in to the sold out event. We received our press passes and made it into the event. Fight fans were all gathered around the cage waiting for the carnage to begin. There is a 50/50 raffle for Paul Gaffney and his family to help them out which is awesome. For those who don't know them, their children suffer from a disease called Canavans. The host with the most is Marty Caproni and Kelly Macdonald is the head photographer. Follow along as we recap the night.
150 AM Steve Romano (Thunder 0-0) vs. Mike Maldonado (Kore BJJ 0-0)
Steve starts us off with a leg kick. Mike gets the takedown and Steve gets the roll. He is now on top in guard til he gets pushed off and now the fight is standing. Steve gets in a right hand before getting the takedown. Mike works a triangle and Steve slams him to the mat. Steve slams him again and gets free. Blood is flowing from Mike's ear.
Romano 10-9
Rd 2: Mike gets the takedown and is now on top in full mount. Mike takes the arm and is looking to bring it home with him. Steve somehow hangs on and pulls his arm free. He ends up on top but is now caught in a triangle. Mike rolls into an inverted triangle and is looking to posture up and crank the triangle. He is cranking the arm as well and gets the tap.
Mike Maldonado defeats Steve Romano via verbal submission to armbar at 2:38 in Rd 2.
153 AM Sam McCue (0-1 Thornton BJJ) vs. Swagath Pillai (0-0 Plus One Defense)
Sam rushes in and Swagath gets the takedown. They bounce right up and Sam slams Swagath down. Swagath is working the side and getting in a few hammerfists. He postures up and gets in some more ground and pound for the stoppage.
Swagath Pillai defeats Sam McCue via tko stoppage to strikes at 2:14 in Rd 1.
170 AM Ray Johns (Thunder MMA 0-8) vs. Martin Thompson (FAA 0-0)
Martin gets the takedown and has the back. He is letting down some brutal punches. Ray gets some space and uses the cage to work his way up. Martin clinches and slams him to the mat again. Ray stands back up and Martin punches him back down to the mat.
Thompson 10-9
Rd 2: They clinch up against the cage and Ray gets hit in the cup. He takes a few minutes and the fight resumes. Martin sweeps his legs and takes him down. He is trying to get the finish but runs out of time.
Thompson 10-9
Rd 3: Martin slams Ray down again and moves to the side. He moves to full mount and works some ground and pound for the stoppage.
Martin Thompson defeats Ray Johns via tko stoppage to strikes at 1:02 in Rd 3.
135 AM Josh Flores (Underdog BJJ 2-1) vs. Geoffrey Then (Kore BJJ 1-0)
Josh starts us off with a kick. Josh gets in another kick to the body and Then fires back with a right hand. Then gets in a kick of his own. Geoffrey picks up the single leg and slams Josh to the mat. They bounce right back up and Josh gets in a leg kick to the body. Geoffrey backs Josh up to the cage and gets in a left hand before the round ends.
Flores 10-9
Rd 2: Flores works some more leg kicks. They are both punching hard. Then gets it to the mat and is trying to free his hands. He has his back and they is tied up the rest of the round.
Then 10-9
Rd 3: They are going at it. Then gets in a punch to the body. Then gets the takedown and is working the side. He is getting in a little bit of ground and pound here and there.
Geoffrey Then defeats Josh Flores via unanimous decision.
155 AM Dan Bardellini ( Rivera BJJ 1-5) vs. Jose Rivera (Thornton BJJ 2-2)
Dan goes for the takedown and gets it. Jose has a guillotine but can't get the finish. Dan takes his back and ends up to the side until the round ends.
Bardellini 10-9
Rd 2: Dan goes for the takedown and gets it. Jose works his way up and gets in an uppercut. He gets in some knees to the body and works another guillotine for the tap.
Jose Rivera defeats Dan Bardellini via tapout to guillotine at 1:31 in Rd 2.
125 AM Justin Valentin ( Underdog BJJ 2-0) vs. Mike Kimble (Thunder 0-0)
Justin works a takedown and is working the side. Justin controlled the top and got in some ground and pound.
Valentin 10-9
Rd 2: Mike gets in a kick to the head. Justin gets in a kick to the body. Justin gets the takedown but Mike works his way up. Mike is working leg kicks. Justin tries for a takedown and Mike hip tosses him and ends up in guard briefly. Justin rolls to the side and Mike gets in some punches to the body.
Valentin 10-9
Rd 3: Justin gets the takedown and moves to full mount. He takes the back and is looking for rear naked choke but Mike hangs on.
Valentin 10-9
Justin Valentin defeats Mike Kimble via unanimous decision.
205 AM Joe Castanzo (Conroys MMA 0-0) vs. Rene Infantas (Underdog BJJ 1-0)
Rene gets the takedown and moves to full mount. He gets in some ground and pound. He is punching hard. Joe gets some space and Rene looks for an armbar. Joe gets out and gets in some punches as the round ends.
Infantas 10-9
Rd 2: Joe gets in an uppercut. Rene works an armbar and gets the tap.
Rene Infantas defeats Joe Costanzo via tapout to armbar at 43 in Rd 2.
185 TITLE AM Justin Sumter (RGTF 8-1) vs. Aaron Goodwine (Tampa Bay Boxing 3-0)
They clinch and exchange some knees to the body. Justin gets the takedown and takes the back. He gets the tap for the strap.
Justin Sumter defeats Aaron Goodwine via tapout to rear naked choke 2:42 at in Rd 1.
170 PRO Vinicius De Jesus ( Link 1-1) vs. Gil Pinhierro (Thornton MMA 0-0)
They clinch and Gil gets in a knee to the body. Vinicius connects with a combo. De Jesus works a takedown and is in half guard.
De Jesus 10-9
Rd 2: Vinicius gets the takedown and is working the side. He moves to full mount and gets in an elbow. He is getting in some solid shots and the ref stops the fight.
Vinicius De Jesus takes on Gil Pinhierro via tko stoppage to strikes at 4:42 in Rd 2.
170 PRO Ricardo Funch (Link 8-5) vs. Brett Oteri (Inner Strength/FAF Gym 12-6)
Ricardo connects with a knee to the head that stuns Brett. He gets in a few more punches and Brett is out.
Ricardo Funch defeats Brett Oteri via ko at 21 seconds in Rd 1.
172 PRO Jon Manley ( Link 9-2) vs. Mike Perry (Team Sparta 4-0)
They clinch and Manley got in a knee to the body. They fall to the mat and Jon looks for an armbar. Mike pulls his arm free and they are back standing. Jon works another takedown and eventually takes his back. He is softening him up with ground and pound. Mike sweeps and ends up on top as the round ends.
Manley 10-9
Rd 2: Perry gets in a jab. Jon gets in a jab of his own. Jon gets in an elbow before being taken down. Manley is working a triangle and blood is flowing. Mike stands back up and they are swinging away. He connects with a knee to the head that stuns Jon. He goes down and Mike finishes him off with ground and pound.
Mike Perry defeats Jon Manley via tko stoppage to strikes at 3:32 in Rd 2.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Manley vs. Perry
SUB OF THE NIGHT: Swaggath Pillai and his armbar from the inverted triangle
KO/TKO OF THE NIGHT: Funch ko against Oteri
BLUNDER OF THE NIGHT: Ricardo Funch was giving his victory speech and Oteri's wife went into the cage and complained about the stoppage which ensued booing and extreme awkwardness in the cage.
Premier announced that their next event will February 20th in the same venue so mark your calendars. Premier FC returned and it looked like they didn't miss a beat. The fighters fought hard and even though they lost a few fights the week of there was some great battles. I really enjoyed the venue and the atmosphere was great. It didn't feel cramped in there and the sound system was good so everyone could hear the announcer and the music. PFC and the fans raised $600 for Paul Gaffney and his family which is awesome. The old/new ring girls also looked amazing and there was even some blood. Special thanks to PFC for the hospitality and stay right here as we get you closer to the cage.