We made the venture out to Boxborough Mass to cover the 8th installment of Warrior Nation. This one is in a new venue but they have had other mma events there in the past and it is a beautiful place. After we walked into the Holiday Inn and found our seats the cage is set up in the center. For vendors I see BadAss Incorporated and a place where Warrior Nation is selling shirts and fight posters. The Hu Ke Lau had limited space where Warrior Nation normally has their event so there weren't many vendors there selling merchandise. John Vena is the host for the evening. The exquisite Warrior Nation Ring Girls are in attendance and ready to strut their stuff. There are many familiar faces in attendance, so far I have seen Billy Rondan from Mass MMA, Nick Newell, Jon Manley, Jeff Haddad, Este Lara, Michael Strazzere, The Heavily Medicated Zack Lynch, Derek Constable, Luis Felix, Matt Tullos, Nader(not Ralph), Nate Andrews, Matt Bessette, NEF Champ Mikey Z, Slippery Pete!, Miss Brandie Light the Princess, Justin Torrey, Dave Ginsberg and Jorge Rivera. There was one fight that dropped off so they are down to 14 total in which 3 of them are professional fights. I really like how they have the lights set up overhead and its fenced off so it looks professional like a UFC show. Jesse Camp does not mess around with quality. The refs tonight are Paul Asimar and Gary Evelin. Kathryn Winston is starting us off with the national anthem. The fights are about to start so follow along and write us some comments.
1. 135 lbs Brett Kerpa (Ultimate MMA 0-0) vs. Steve Karr (GFV 0-2)
Brett gets in a good right hand. Steve is working his jab. Brett gets in double leg kicks. Brett gets in a double jab. Steve gets in a good leg kick. They clinch up against the cage and Brett gets in a knee to the groin of Steve. He takes one minute and the fight resumes. They are back to swinging away. Steve gets in a good right hand that stumbles Brett to one knee. He recovers and works his way back up very quickly.
Steve 10-9, he got a good knockdown that stole the round for me.
Rd 2: They touch gloves. They are swinging away until Brett gets the takedown. He is now in Steve's guard. Brett is working some body shots. Brett postures up and is dropping some bombs. Steve does a good job not getting in any danger of too much damage.
Brett 10-9
Rd 3: Brett rushes in and is working for a takedown. Steve swings him to the center and reverses Brett up against the cage. Brett reverses it again and is working the knees to the body. Brett jumps up and is working a guillotine. Steve gives the thumbs up. They fall to the ground and Brett sinks in a triangle. Steve is fighting it and getting in a few punches from the triangle.
Brett 10-9
Brett Kerpa defeats Steve Karr via unanimous decision.
2. 125 lbs Nate Russell (FAA Spfld 2-0) vs. Jesse Gutierrez (Connors MMA 2-2)
Jesse starts us off with a leg kick. Jesse gets in a combo. Nate tries for a takedown but is stuffed. Jesse gets in an outside leg kick. Both fighters get in a leg kick. Jesse gets in a right jab and Nate rushes in for a takedown. He can't get it and they break right before the round starts.
Jesse 10-9
Rd 2: They clinch and both get in knees then break. Nate gets in a leg kick. Beautiful combo from Nate body to head. Jesse gets in a combo of his own. They are throwing hard. Jesse gets in an uppercut. Jesse is connecting with some big shots. Nate gets in a right hand that drops Jesse and he is out cold. The ref stops the fight.
Nate Russell defeats Jesse Gutierrez via ko punch at 2:42 in Rd 2.
3. 155 lbs Cody McMahon (CT United 0-0) vs. Dan Bardellini (Rivera Athletics 0-4)
Dan rushes in and is fighting for a takedown. Cody reverses and Dan reverses the clinch right back. He gets the single leg takedown and is working the side. Cody gets the sweep and is in half guard. He moves to full mount and Dan gets the sweep. He is now on top working the guard. Cody gets in a shot from the bottom. Dan postures up and gets in a few shots to the head before the round ends.
Dan 10-9
Rd 2: Cody starts us off with a leg kick. Cody gets in a jab. Cody is fighting for a takedown and gets it. He has the back and is working some knees to the back of the leg. Dan gets back to his feet but Cody pushes him right back down and still has the back. He has one hook in and is trying to flatten him out. Dan flips and Cody now has half guard.
Cody 10-9
Rd 3: Dan is fighting for a takedown but can't get it. Cody reverses and Dan reverses right back. Dan gets the double leg takedown and is in half guard. Dan postures up and gets in a shot to the head. Cody bucks him off and works his way up.
Dan 10-9
Dan Bardellini defeats Cody McMahon via majority decision.
4. 145 lbs Shawn O’Dou (Team Ravenous 1-0) vs. Nick Valentino (Sitmangpong 0-0)
Shawn gets in a good body shot then to the head that stumbles Nick. Shawn takes him down with a guillotine. Nick pops his head out and moves to half guard. Nick gets in a few shots to the head and then gets pushed back into guard. Shawn is trying to throw up his legs to get the armbar and he is trying to get the finish as the round ends.
Real close round Shawn 10-9, he was more active with two submission attempts and the takedown.
Rd 2: Shawn misses with a right hand and Nick counters and they both fall to the ground. Nick is now in half guard. Shawn is very active from the bottom. Nick gets in a right hand from the top. Nick backs off and they are to their feet. Nick gets in a leg kick. Shawn clinches him up and Nick gets in a knee to the body as the round ends.
Nick 10-9
Rd 3: Nick gets in a leg kick to start us off. Nick gets in an inside leg kick. Good combo from Nick. Shawn gets in a combo of his own. Nick gets in another leg kick. Shawn gets in a good body shot. Shawn is pushing the pace now and getting in body shots.
Real close round Nick 10-9 due to more striking in this round.
Nick Valentino and Shawn O'Dou Draw! Wow it was the 3rd round that was real close.
5. 170 lbs Connor Barry (DHT/DE 2-0) vs. Carlos Correia (DCNU 1-0)
Carlos gets the quick takedown and is in half guard. The crowd is chanting Carlos, Carlos. Connor gets some space and is now on top guard after the scramble. Connor stands back up and Carlos takes him down again. Connor is trying to rip the arm out and get the armbar. Carlos gets out and ends up on top. He moves to full mount as the round ends.
Carlos 10-9
Rd 2: Carlos gets the hip toss takedown and is now working the side. He moves right to full mount and gets in two hammer fists. Carlos takes the back and has a body lock. He is trying to soften him up with some strikes. Connor is fighting and gets out of the round. Wow!!
Carlos 10-9
Rd 3: Carlos misses with a wild overhand. Carlos gets the takedown and is now in half guard. Carlos is now working the side. He moves to full mount. He postures up and gets in a couple of hammerfists. Carlos takes the back. He then moves and is working an arm triangle as the round ends.
Carlos Correia defeats Connor Barry by unanimous decision.
6. 155 lbs Myles Lynch (Connors MMA 0-0) vs. Kevin Rey (NE Combat 1-0)
Myles gets in a high kick. Kevin gets the quick takedown but Myles bounces right back up. Myles gets in an inside leg kick. Kevin is working a takedown but can't get it. Myles gets in a good right hand that connects. Myles gets in a leg kick. Myles gets in a combo. Myles gets in some knees to the body. Myles gets in a combo to the head as they break from the clinch.
Myles 10-9
Rd 2: Myles gets the takedown and is dropping bombs from the mount. Kevin turns and Myles takes the back. He works the rear naked choke and gets the tap.
Myles Lynch defeats Kevin Rey by tapout to rear naked choke at 1:14 in Rd 2.
7. 135 lbs Ali Zebian (FAA Spfld 1-0) vs. Alex Vinarsky (GFV 1-0)
Alex is working his kicks right off the bat. Ali gets in a right hand that drops Alex. He is working the half guard. He gets in some ground and pound and blood is gushing out of Alex's nose. His nose is definitely broken. The ref stops the fight.
Ali Zebian defeats Alex Vinarksky via tko stoppage to strikes at 1:34 in Rd 1.
8. 150 lbs Kenny Peralta (Ultimate MMA 0-1) vs. Kevin Aurelien (UFC Gym 0-2)
Kenny rushes in and gets the takedown. Kevin gets some space and they are back to their feet. Kenny takes him down again and is right to full mount. Kenny takes the back and is trying to finish with ground and pound. Kenny gets the stoppage.
Kenny Peralta defeats Kevin Aurelien via tko stoppage to strikes at 2:21 in Rd 1.
9. 125 lbs Nick Mancinone (FAA Spfld 2-1) vs. Kris Moutinho (Rivera Athletics 1-1)
Nick gets in a high kick. Kris is pushing the pace so far. They are both getting in combos. Kris gets in a good body kick. Nick is holding his own with counter punches. Kris takes him down and they are tangled as the round ends.
Kris 10-9
Rd 2: Nick has a good mouse under his left eye. They are going at it. Very quick paced right here. Nick gets in a body shot and the crowd roars. Kris gets the takedown. Nick is very active from the bottom. Kris is working the top but can't get any ground and pound in.
Kris 10-9
Rd 3: Nick gets in a body kick. Kris gets in a combo. Nice leg kik from Nick that stumbles Kris. Nick lunges forward and Kris knocks him down with a punch. He bounces back up. Kris gets the takedown and is working the side. He gets in a few shots to the head before the round ends.
Kris 10-9
Kris Moutinho defeats Nick Mancinone via unanimous decision.
10. 145 lbs McLynn Cadiente (CT United 1-1) vs. Grant Mosley (Florian MMA 1-1)
McLynn gets in a leg kick. McLynn gets the takedown and Grant has a deep triangle from the bottom. McLynn is fighting it and trying to get some space. He switches to an armbar and McLynn jumps over to the side and gets out. Grant gets another triangle but McLynn gets out. McLynn gets two big shots from the top while Grant is trying to get up.
Grant 10-9
Rd 2: Both fighters kick and McLynn falls down but bounces back up. Grant gets the takedown and McLynn gets an inverted triangle but Grant gets out. Grant is now on top in guard. He moves to half guard. McLynn gets the sweep and is now in guard. Grant is fighting for an armbar but can't get the tap. Grant is now in north south as the round ends.
Grant 10-9
Rd 3: McLynn misses with a high kick. McLynn is trying for a takedown. Grant ends up pulling him down but McLynn gets right up. Grant gets the single leg takedown and is in guard. Grant is bleeding from the nose. McLynn pushes off the cage and gets the flip. He is trying for an armbar but ends up taking the back. He is getting in some shots to the side as the round ends.
Grant 10-9
Grant Mosley defeats McLynn Cadiente via unanimous decision.
11. HVYW Dan Randall (Fighting Arts Academy 0-0) vs. Kevin Smith (Young's MMA 3-1)
Dan gets in a leg kick. Dan gets the takedown but Kevin bounces back up. Kevin gets in a right hand that connects. Dan gets the hip toss takedown. He is working the side. Kevin gets up and is working a takedown of his own. He is working a single leg but cant get it. Dan gets the takedown and moves to mount. He gets in two big punches and Kevin is out cold.
Dan Randall defeats Kevin Smith via ko at 2:12 in Rd 1.
12. 155 lbs Steven Carr (Strike Zone MMA 1-2) vs. Addison O’Neil (DCNU 0-1)
Addison gets the quick takedown and is trying to gain position. Steve gets right back up and Addison is working a guillotine. He was out for a long time and we are yelling into the ref to stop the fight.
Addison O'Neil defeats Steven Carr via tko stoppage to guillotine at 54 in Rd 1. Very scary, Steve was out for a while but he came to.
13. 150 lbs Ruso Khubejashvili (Connors MMA 1-0) vs. Dominic Warr (Wai Kru 5-3)
They clinch and Ruso gets in a knee to the body. They break and Dom rushes in and gets the takedown. Ruso has a deep guillotine but Dom rolls out and they are back to their feet. Dom gets in a right hand. Ruso gets in an outside leg kick. Ruso tries for a double leg but can't get it. Dom goes for a takedown and Ruso stuffs him and gets in a knee to the head before they break. Dom gets in a combo. Dom gets the takedown and is trying to get in some ground and pound. Ruso tries to get up and Dom charges and gets in a right hand. They clinch up against the cage for a breather then break. Ruso is turning on the heat and getting in some big shots as the round ends.
Ruso 10-9
Rd 2: Ruso starts us off with a superman punch. Ruso gets in a right hand. Dom gets in a right hand. Ruso is bleeding from the nose. They are going punch for punch. This fight is insane!! Ruso gets in a combo. Dom gets in a good right hand. Ruso looks hurt and is stumbling. Blood is all over Ruso's face. Dom rushes in for a takedown. He can't get it and Dom keeps coming forward with strikes.
Dom 10-9
Rd 3: Ruso starts us off with some leg kicks. Dom rushes in and gets a right hand in. Ruso is getting in a bunch of leg kicks. Both of them get in a right hand. Ruso gets in a right that connects. Ruso rushes in and gets another good combo. Ruso gets in a combo. Dom is fighting for a takedown. Ruso has Dom tied up as they fall to the ground.
Real close round Dom 10-9
Ruso Khubejashvili defeats Dominic Warr via unanimous decision 29-28. Fight of the night, fight of the year contender for sure. It was the 3rd round that was the deciding factor in this fight.
14. 145 lbs Taylor Trahan (Team Link North 3-1-0) vs. Joe Pingitore (NE Combat 4-0-1)
Taylor gets the takedown. Joe gets the rolls is now in guard. Joe postures up and gets in an body shot. Taylor works his way up and Joe gets in a combo. Taylor rushes in with a wide right. Taylor is fighting for a takedown but Joe is defending it. Taylor gets it and Joe gets right up. Taylor is fighting for another takedown. Taylor gets it and is now trying to take the back. Joe is fighting it still as the round ends.
Taylor 10-9
Rd 2: Joe gets in the right hand and drops Taylor. Joe gets in a few strikes then backs off. Taylor goes for the takedown and takes the back of Joe but Joe slips out. Taylor is fighting for another takedown and they fall to the ground. Joe takes the side and is getting in some elbows. Taylor bucks him off and Joe backs off. Very smart fighting from Joe. Taylor slips and tries to bate Joe down. He takes the guard and is working some ground and pound. He gets in a few short elbows. He gets some space and gets in a big elbow. Joe backs off and lets him up. Taylor gets the takedown as the round ends.
Joe 10-9
Rd 3: Taylor gets a jab. He rushes in and gets the takedown. Taylor gets in a little ground and pound and Joe threatens with a heel hook and they are back to their feet. Taylor gets the takedown and now has the back of Joe. He has a body lock and is trying to finish with the rear naked choke. Taylor tries to soften him up with strikes. Taylor sinks it in and gets the tap.
Taylor Trahan defeats Joe Pingitore via tapout to rear naked choke at 3:38 in Rd 3.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Dom Warr and Ruso. Fight of the year contender.
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT: Addison O'Neil guillotine choked Carr out cold.
KO OF THE NIGHT: Dan Randall over Kevin Smith.
What a fantastic night of fights. Every fight was well matched up and there were many memorable moments. The show had a draw, two knockouts and a couple of submissions. Many decisions and including the bloody war between Dom Warr and Ruso K. In the end Ruso got the W and many fans around the cage thought Dominic Warr won and no one would argue. It was very scary when Addison choked out Steve Carr. We were yelling to the ref that Steve was out and finally like 5-7 seconds later the ref stops teh fight. The night had many cage grabs and shots to the back of the head but the fights went smooth. Thanks to Jesse Camp and the rest of the Warrior Nation staff for the hospitality and the awesome show. All of our photos will be uploaded to our fanpage so please show your support and throw us a like. I will leave you all with a photo of the ring girls.
