We made our way in, to be greeted by promoter Jesse Camp. He got us our press passes, and seated us at a nice big corner booth, with a great view of the cage.(only about 15ft away!!) Shortly after, our friend Denny "Old School" Siggins showed up with his buddy/training partner/northeastmma.net writer Dave, to cover the show for their site. The Artist and I made room for Old School, on our bench, but the rookie Dave had to awkwardly turn around in the booth to get a view of the fights. (one of the minor problems of the venue...) As we waited for the show to begin, The Artist and I enjoyed a couple rolls of sushi, and both agreed they were fantastic!! I would have ate plenty more had I not been cutting weight for my fight next week...
The venue was somewhat small compared to most "local" New England mma shows, but it was a great set-up! The cage was in the middle of a rectangular room. Tiered booths surrounded the cage on 3 sides, while a stage with VIP tables was on the other. At one end there was an area for standing room. As the fight time grew near, the place filled right up. Hard to say the amount, and I didn't get a number from Jesse, but I would figure at least 400 people?? It was a great turnout, and full house, none the less.
The show featured local Mass mma and UFC vet John "Doomsday" Howard, as the celebrity in attendance!! Eager fans snapped pics and chatted with the superstar all night long. He sat with his team mate from Wai-Kru, Damien "The Omen" Trites who also brought along his young son to take in the action!! Other local fan favorites, and mma people we saw included: Andre, Dan "Hamburglar", and Shane D. from Team United Muay Lao...Matt Lee with his Factory boys, Ricardo Funch, and the man behind Team Link Marco Alvan. I was also very happy and honored to have finally met the man himself, Loco Lobo, Mr Mike Gresh!!
On to the fights!!!
The night started out with three submission grappling matches, for exhibition. The matches were 6 min long, and submission win only...no points would be awarded.
Grappling Match 1 - Luis Figueroa (Ultimate MMA) vs Rob O'Connell (FAA)
Both guys look in great shape, and to be very solid grapplers. Rob gets a take down in the beginning, and on ther ground both guys go for leg locks. The match goes back and forth, but no one can get a tap in the six minutes allowed. The horn sounds and the match is a draw. The announcer lets the crowd know that Rob just recently had a baby....Congrats to Rob O'Connell and his family on their new blessing!!
Grappling Match 2 - Patrick Pero (Royce Gracie) vs Justin Brangiero (Lion's Den/DCNU)
Pat looks fresh out of high school, while Justin looks like a jacked beast comparitively!! Justin shoots immediately, gets a take down. You can tell he's ALOT stronger, and way too much for Patrick. Justin pulls gaurd, and quickly throws a deep arm bar on. Patrick trys to resist, but we don't want to see an arm break in a grappling exhibition...and thankfully he taps. Winner, Justin Brangiero arm bar!
Grappling Match 3 - Chad Kelly (FAA) vs Dan Casella (Ultimate MMA)
Both guys look to be in good shape. I've seen Chad Kelly a few times, and I know he's a good fighter. The match is a good one, back and forth, with both guys going for sub attempts. Casella throws up a nice triangle..Kelly fights hard to break free, but it's too tight, he taps and the match is over. Nice display of grappling!! winner Dan Casella triangle choke submission at 5:04
At this point in the show, our ears are treated with a pre-recorded intro to the show, as the fights are set to begin!!!
Fight 1 - Scott Johnstone (ATT CT) vs Ken Markwadt (SNEMMA) 145lb am
rd1 - The bell rings and the fighters rush in to clinch. Scott is looking to get the fight to the ground, and pushes it into the cage. Ken fights back hard, and these boys are swinging for the fences!! It's back and fourth all round, with Scott pushing forward, but Ken may have scored the better punches..tough round to call, both guys punches found their mark several times!!
rd2 - Right back where we were...they start banging it out right away!! Scott gets a take down against the cage, and Ken secures full guard. The fight stalls for a bit, and the fighters make their way back up to standing, and it's back and fourth yet again!! Both guys are taking punches, and giving them right back. Ken's corner is screaming for a take down, hoping to erase Scott's earlier take down, but Ken keeps it standing as the horn sounds. 10-9 Scott J.
rd3 - They start the final round swinging away just as before. Ken throws a nice kick, but it gets caught, and Scott trips into top position on the ground. Scott stands in full guard and throws down some nice ground and pound!!! Ken tries to sweep and move his hips, but Scott stands strong, and stays on top with some nice intermittent punches to secure the round. Great fight to start the night!!! 10-9 Scott J.
Winner by split decision Scott Johnstone
Fight 2 - Nick "Juice box" Mancinone (FAA) vs Joe Martinez (Blue Devils) 125lb am
rd1 - Before the fight starts, Nick is fired-up!!! He reminds my friend Denny of one Clay Guida!! He's jumping around, and full of energy. Both fighters look to be in great shape!! The fighters circle and each look poised and ready..some punches are exchanged, and Nick gets a take down on a Martinez missed punch. Juice Box is in side control on top, and looks to be a strong grappler. Joe scrambles to get up, and Nick takes his back, looking for the rear naked choke. Joe defends, and ends up mounted and shortly after defending an arm bar. They stand and Joe shoots for a take down as the round ends. 10-9 Nick M
rd2 - Nick shoots in, but Joe grabs his neck, and it looks like trouble. Joe forces his blade of his arm deeper, and grabs his bicep on his other arm. It's deep, and Nick is forced to tap to the guillotine choke!!
winner Joe Martinez submission guillotine choke rd2 :31
Fight 3 - Joshua carrero (Lion's Den/DCNU) vs Jack Greene (Cage Strikers) 135lb am
rd1 - Josh is much shorter and broader than Jack, as Jack is a good size 135er, and muscular and long. Josh comes right in grabs Jack and picks him up for a huge slam into side control. He shows great control, as he's in no rush to smash away, rather showing tight strong grappling control. Jack can't do much from the bottom, and Josh controsl much of the round this way. 10-9 Josh C.
rd2 - Jack wants to keep it standing, and Josh trades a few. Once again though Josh gets a good take down and into side control where he looks real strong. Jack is able to get back full guard, but has no answer for a sweep or get-up, and Josh finishes the round on top. 10-9 Josh C.
rd3 - The fighters trade, Josh throws a huge over hand right, and rushes in behind it for a take down. He throws down some nice punches as Jack gets back to half guard. Josh passes over to his fave side control and continues the assault!! A big right lands just as the bell sounds to the downed Greene. 10-9 Josh C.
winner unanimous decision Josh Carrero
Fight 4 - Frank Falso (Team United) vs Garret Kulik (Plus One Defense) 180lb am
rd1 - Instantly you can't help but notice that Garret is the much bigger fighter in this one. Frank comes out swinging hard, and lands a few, but Garret throws right back. Garret starts to throw several high kicks, and front kicks. Most are blocked, but Frank is now on the defensive. Frank looks to take the fight down, but Garret will have none of it. Garret lands a huge left high kick to the face that sends Frank's mouth piece flying. It's right at the end of the round and Frank makes it back to his corner. He looks a bit confused..
10 -9 Garret
rd2 - Garret opens with a dazzling spinning kick that misses it's mark, but wows the crowd!! Frank starts to land some nice hard punches that at times have Garret back pedaling. Garret continues his kicking display, and Franks arms alone must be sore!! this round could def go Franks way. 10-9 Frank
rd3 - The fighters are trading punches to open the round, and Garret starts back up with his kicks. As the round continues Frank seems to be the more tired fighter. Garret is mixing his kicks and punches well, and the damage is adding up on Frank's face. 10-9 Garret. Fight of the night material!!!
winner unanimous decision 29-28 Garret Kulik
Fight 5 - Julian "Thunder pants" Papasian (Royce Gracie) vs Adel Lolic ( Blue devils) 175lb am
rd1 - Julian rushes in punching, but looks uncomfortable doing so. He pushes the fight to the cage looking for a take down. Lolic grabs his neck and jumps guard for a guillotine choke try. Julian pops his head out and ends up on top in full guard. As the fighters stand and scramble Julian shows some crazy grappling skills as he's hanging upside down around Lolics legs and torso. The fighters go to the ground where Julian sinks in a tight knee bar for the quick tap!! Great Jui- Jitsu!!
winner rd 1 Julian Papasian
Fight 6 - Kurt Chase-Patrick (ATT CT) vs John Naples (Strike Zone MMA) 145lb am
rd1 - Kurt rushes in and gets the slam into side control. Staying strong on top he moves into north-south position and starts to work a choke. John defends and Kurt is back in side control. John works to stand up, and explodes, punching his way forward, and drops Kurt. He's dropping bombs wildly, and the ref stops the fight. Kurt looked to be trying to wrestle, but the ref didn't see it.
winner TKO ref stoppage rd1 John Naples
At this point John Doomsday Howard comes over to our booth to discuss our pick for fighter of the night. We all unanimously choose The High Kicking Garret Kulick for the award. Jesse and John present Garret the trophy, and it's time for a break. After the intermission, the two remaining pro fights would ensue!
Pro fights
Evan Parker (The Factory) vs Fernando Perez (CCFA) 145lb Pro
rd1 - Evan shoots in for a take down, but Fernando looks to grab his neck for a choke. Evan ends up with the take down into an open full guard. Fernando tries to sit up, for a sweep and Evan grabs a guillotine attempt and pulls guard. Fernando defends pulls his head out, and immediately grabs his own guillotine. Evan pulls out gains side control, and drops a couple elbows, but doesn't look to do much damage. The round ends in this position.
Between rounds the doc is called over to Fernando and waives off the fight. Appartently Fernando suffered a rib injury and could not continue. winner Evan Parker TKO injury. rd 1
Main Event - Leon "Dynamite" Davis (Faa) vs Chris "Hospital" Robinson (Buffalo Training Center) 160lb Pro
rd1 - The crowd is on their feet and going wild for western Mass's own Leon Davis!!! The fighters circle, and trade a few punches. They clinch up, and Chris decides to wrap his legs around Leon's waist in an attempt to jump guard. Leon shoves Chris's chest and starts smashing down with huge punches and Chris is out cold!!!! Leon makes the crowd erupt with a huge KO!!!!!!
winner Leon Davis KO rd1 :21
This was a great night of fights!!! Hats of to Jesse and Nick Newell for the great match-ups, and great show all together!!There was great battles, sweet submissions, and a huge KO!! The venue was great, would have been even better if I could have gorged on a Pu-Pu platter....;) The sound and lighting was great, and view was perfect! It was nice to get home by midnight, and especially to see that we officially have another great promotion out in our neck of the woods...western Mass!! I really look forward to the next Warrior Nation XFA show, thanks for allowing us to cover the show!!
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