We arrived at the venue with plenty of time to find our seats. As we parked in the event parking area we walked to the sound of the drums and the rock music. Outside Ed and I received our free kuze before entering the beautiful Lowell Memorial. We then found our seats at the press table and quickly hooked up to power. The super friendly ring girls were outside taking photos with the fans which added a nice touch to the show. Kelly MacDonald and Krystyne were a huge help in hooking us up with excellent spots so we can provide the best coverage for you all. There are a total of 6 fights for the evening and two of them are professional fights. John Vena is the host for the evening and the refs are Gary Foreman and Kevin MacDonald. They just announced ECFC 3 is set to take place November 14th, 2014 so mark your calendars. Now let's get to the fights!
125lbs AM Nick Iaciofano (2-0 USMMA) vs. Damian Batista (0-0)
Nick gets in a good right hand. Damian gets a right hand of his own. Nick picks up Damian and scoops him to the ground. Damian bounces right back up using the cage. Nick is applying pressure and pushing Damian up against the cage. Nick gets the takedown and takes his back. He slides off the top and then works a belly down armbar for the tap.
Nick Iaciofano defeats Damian Batista via tapout to armbar at 2:15 seconds in Rd 1.
155lb AM Brian Cosco (1-1 Brazilian Top Team) vs. Robert Moser (Redline 0-1)
Moser clearly has the height advantage in this fight. Cosco is diving for a takedown and is stuffed. Moser pushes him to the mat and is waiting for an opening to get in a few hammerfists. He is working a kimura but gives up on it. Cosco gets some space and goes for the ankle lock for the quick tap.
Brian Cosco defeats Robert Moser via tapout to ankle lock at 1:03 in Rd 1.
145lbs AM Title Fight Chris Violette (2-1 Burgess MMA) vs. Billy Keenan (4-1 Redline)
Billy starts the round off with an outside leg kick. Both fighters get in a leg kick at the same time. Chris has seen enough leg kicks and gets the double leg takedown. Chris is in half guard and moves over the leg to take the side. Billy gets the roll and then Chris sweeps. He stands up and gets in a leg kick as the round ends.
Chris 10-9
Rd 2: Chris starts the round with an inside leg kick. They clinch in the middle of the cage and Chris gets the takedown. Billy works his way up and they are now clinching at the cage. Chris picks up Billy ands gets the slam. The crowd roars in anticipation. Chris is working the side and then moves to north south. Billy transitions from an armbar to a nice triangle. He locks it in tight and Chris slams him to try to get out but to no avail. He is forced to tap.
Billy Keenan defeats Chris Violette via tapout to triangle at 2:41 seconds in Rd 2. Billy becomes the ECFC 145lb Amateur Champ!! Awesome fast paced fight. Great job guys.
170lbs AM Connor Barry (3-1 Doomsday MMA) vs. Reggie LaPorte (AMM Boxing Fights 0-0)
Connor misses with a right. They clinch up against the cage. Connor picks Reggie up and slams him and Reggie ends up on top. Connor sweeps, backs up and they are back to their feet. Connor takes Reggie down and then takes his back. He quickly applies the rear naked choke and gets the tap.
Connor Barry defeats Reggie LaPorte via tapout to rear naked choke at 2:14 in Rd 1.
170lbs PRO Joe Cloutier (3-0 Quietman-Doomsday) vs Mike Hurlburt (Triumph 2-3)
Mike rushes in and ducks a few punches. He clinches and is looking for the takedown. Cloutier reverses and is looking for the takedown. Mike is doing a good job at defending and getting in some knees to the body. Joe gets the takedown and Mike ends up on his back. Joe is safe for the moment but he has Hurlburt on his back trying to flatten him out. Cloutier gets the sweep and they are back to their feet. Hurlburt pulls guard and Cloutier is now working the side. Hurlburt works his way up and they are now clinching against the cage. Cloutier gets the takedown and works the half guard. He gets in 3 solid punches to end the round.
Cloutier 10-9
Rd 2: Mike rushes in is gets the slamming takedown. Cloutier ends up in half and then gets pushed back to guard. Mike is trying for an armbar but Joe steps over and makes him pay with a few hammerfists. They are back to their feet and Joe scoops him back down and is now in half guard. Mike is doing a good job at defending from the bottom. Joe is working an americana but Mike is too strong. He bucks him off and they are back to their feet. Mike rushes in with a knockout punch but misses and Joe takes him down as the round ends.
Cloutier 10-9
Rd 3: Joe goes for the single leg but is stuffed. Joe gets the trip and he is now in guard. They work their way up and they fall to to the ground together. Mike takes his back. Cloutier somehow gets out and gets the roll. Cloutier is working the side. The 10 second sounds and they are back to their feet. Mike swings wildly and misses as the round ends. Wow what a battle!!
Cloutier 10-9
Joe Cloutier defeats Mike Hurlburt via unanimous decision. Cloutier rises to the challenge in his toughest fight to date and is still undefeated at 4-0!
135lbs PRO Title Fight Joey Gomez (Team Link 4-0) vs. Jeremy Pender (10-9 Team Vision)
Joey is looking sharp. He gets in a solid combo followed up with a nasty elbow. Joey catches Jeremy with a right that drops him. He gets in about 12 more punches to finish him off on the ground. Wow!!!!!!! The ref has no choice but to stop the fight.
Joey Gomez defeats Jeremy Pender via ref stoppage to strikes at 1:50 in Rd 1. Joey is the new champ and gets a giant $5000 check!! Congrats man!!
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Cloutier and Hurlburt..these guys left it all in the cage!
SUB OF THE NIGHT: There were many subs but my favorite one was Billy Keenan with the triangle choke!
KO/TKO OF THE NIGHT: Joey Gomez with the only tko of the night!!
It was another solid nights of mixed martial arts action in wonderful Massachusetts. The fights were very evenly matched up which was no easy task after tons of fights dropping off but Brian Gillespie held it together. The Cloutier/Hurlburt fight was one of my favorite fights and Keenan/Violette was an awesome back and forth battle. ECFC is returning for their 3rd show on November 14th so make sure you all contact BG and get on it. The sound was great and the lighting was fantastic in the venue. The crowd was smart and very loud in there which made a great atmosphere for the fighters to show off their plethora of skills. All of our pics of the evening will be posted on facebook so make sure you check us out and throw us a like so you can stay up to date on all your local MMA!