Finally after most of this month off mma returns to the local scene with Premier FC hosting their 20th event on July 30th, 2016 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield Mass. The matchmaker/promoter Karyn Wesch has just sent us over the final fight card with the fight order so we can share with you all and break down the fights. She informed us that for this show she allowed some of the bigger names on the card to decide where they wanted to fight so that is why the fight order might seem a little different. Either way the fights are going to be awesome and there are plenty of them with 21 fights with 8 of them being pro and one of the ammy fights being a title fight. The doors will be opening at 6pm and the fight fight should start around 7pm. I didn't have the teams with me or the records so I will do my best at adding them in there. Please follow along as I break down the fight card in its entirety.
175 AM Ray Johns (Thunder 0-10) vs. Jason Showers (Ambition MMA 0-0)
In the first fight Ray Johns takes on Jason Showers at 175 lbs. Johns trains with Thunder and comes into this fight with an 0-10 record still vying for his first amateur victory. He lost his fights by ko/tko to strikes or submissions. His opponent is Jason Showers and he trains with Ambition MMA. Jason comes into this fight making his amateur debut. One of these two fighters will be getting their first victory this Saturday in Springfield Mass!
125 AM Lisa Blaine (2-1 Speedschool MMA) vs. Kerri Kenneson (Team Link Hooksett 1-1)
In the second fight of the night the females take the stage with a battle between Lisa Blaine and Kerri Kenneson at 125 lbs. Blaine trains with Speedschool MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-1 record. She fought her first ammy fight in the PFC cage and lost a decision to now pro Sarah Click. Since then she has bounced back with 2 straight wins with one by decision and one by submission. Her opponent is Kerri Kenneson and she trans out of Team Link Hooksett. Kerri comes into this fight with a 1-1 record with 1 loss by ko and one win by decision against a very tough Hannah Murello. Both of these ladies are tough as nails and have proven they can grind it out all the way to the end and I see this one going to a decision.
145 AM Marcel Romero (1-0 Team Link Ludlow) vs. McCale Mullin (0-0 Thornton's MMA)
Next up Marcel Romero takes on McCale Mullin in the 145 lb division. Romero trains with Team Link Ludlow and comes into this fight with a 1-0 record. He won his first bout at the last PFC by ko/tko to strikes at the end of the first round when Steve Romano couldn't continue to start Rd 2. He would love another finish this Saturday. Standing in his way is McCale Mullin and he trains with Thornton's MMA. Mullin will be making his amateur debut. Coming out of Thornton's I know this guy will be ready for battle. I don't see this one going the distance when both of these fighters collide.
125 AM Mike Kimble (Thunder 1-1) vs. Zachary Searle (0-0 DCNU)
Then PFC has at 125 lbs Mike Kimble taking on Zachary Searle. Kimble trains with Thunder MMA out of CT and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record. He lost his first fight by decision and then bounced back in his second fight with a win by ko/tko to strikes. He will be looking to carry that momentum into this fight. His opponent is Zachary Searle and he trains with DCNU. Searle will be making his amateur debut. This is going to be another good battle and I think it will be settled on the ground.
170 AM Jason Helger ( 1-1 New England United) vs. Dennis Brown (Ambition MMA 0-0)
Next up at 170 lbs Jason Helger will face Dennis Brown in the PFC cage. Helger comes into this fight with a 1-1 record out of New England United. He has 1 win by decision and 1 loss by split decision. His opponent is Dennis Brown and he trains with Team Ambition. He will be making his amateur debut. This is another close match up which should make for another good battle.
105 AM Marisa Messer-Belenchia (2-1 Ultimate MMA) vs. Laken Jowers (2-2 Josh Stanley)
Then they have Marisa Belanchia facing off against Laken Jowers at 105 lbs. Marisa trains out of Ultimate MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-1 record. For her 2 wins she has 1 by decision and one by ko/tko. In her last fight she lost a decision to Jill DeCoursey and is looking to bounce back to the winning track. Her opponent is Laken Jowers and she trains with Josh Stanley MMA. She comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with 1 win by submission and 1 win by split decision. For her losses, she lost both of them by submission. This is going to be another exciting female bout for PFC as I see both of these ladies bringing it this Saturday.
155 AM Aaron Reverdes (Juniko 0-1) vs. Rob Grillo (0-0 Thunder)
At 155 lbs Aaron Reverdes will be fighting Rob Grillo. Reverdes trains with Juniko and comes into this fight with an 0-1 record. He lost his first fight by ko/tko to strikes in Rd 2 in which was an exciting back and forth battle. His opponent is Rob Grillo and he trains with Thunder MMA. Grillo will be making his amateur debut at PFC. Again, another solid matchup and I expect this one to be a stand up war.
155 AM Davon Zimmmerman (RGTF 3-4) vs. Jesse Kosakowski (CTMMA 1-0)
At 155 lbs Davon Zimmerman will take on Jesse Kosakowski. Zimmerman trains with RGTF and steps into this fight with a 3-4 record. He has 1 win by ko/tko, 1 win by sub and 1 win by decision. In the loss column, he has 1 loss by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 2 by decision. His opponent is Jesse Kosakowski and he trains with CTMMA. Jesse comes into this fight with a 1-0 record I wasn't able to find information on his first fight so we will have to see how he looks live.
210 AM Rene Infantas (Underdog BJJ 2-1 vs. William Knight (1-1 Thornton BJJ)
At 210 lbs Rene Infantas will take on William Knight. Rene trains with Underdog BJJ and comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 1 win by sub and 1 win by ko/tko. He looked very good in his last bout for Premier FC making quick work against Joe Castanzo in just 43 seconds with the sub. His opponent is William Knight and he trains with Thornton BJJ. He comes into this fight with a 1-1 record with 1 sub win and 1 loss by decision. I have seen both of them fight before and they are both in excellent shape and I don't see this one going the distance.
120 AM Tammy Worrick (2-2 Ambition) vs. Hannah Murello (2-1 Triumph BJJ)
Next u pis at 120 lbs Tammy Worrick will face Hannah Murello in another female showdown. Worrick trains out of New York with Ambition and comes into this fight with a 2-2 record. In the win column she has 1 win by ko/tko and 1 win by submission. In the loss column, she lost 1 by submission and 1 by decision. I have not seen her fight around here so I am looking forward to seeing what she brings to the cage. Her opponent is Hannah Murello and she trains with Triumph BJJ. Hannah comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 1 win by decision and 1 win by submission. In her last fight she suffered a loss to Kerri Kenneson by decision in an awesome battle. Once again another solid battle and I expect the ladies to be the stars of this PFC card and there is still one more female bout on the night coming up.
135 AM Rob Rios (Underdog BJJ 2-4) vs. Lou Finateri (CTMMA 5-7)
At 135 lbs Rob Rios will take on Luis Finateri. Rios trains with Underdog BJJ and comes into this fight with a 2-4 record with both wins by ko/tko to strikes. For his losses, he lost 1 by sub and 3 by decision. His opponent is Luis Finateri out of CTMMA. He comes into this fight with a 5-7 record. I wasn't able to find his information but being from CTMMA we know he will be ready.
185 AM Pat Casey (Link 3-1) vs. Chris Williams (Thunder 1-1)
At 185 lbs Pat Casey returns to the PFC cage against Chris Williams. Casey trains out of Team Link and comes into this fight with a 3-1 record. Pat has all 3 of his wins by ko/tko with all first round stoppages. His sole loss was to Andres Pedraza by tko to strikes in Rd 3. Casey literally left it all in the cage in his last fight and puts 110% every fight. His opponent is Chris Williams and he trains with Thunder. Chris comes into this fight with a 1-1 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 loss by split decision. I, for one can't wait for this one.
145 TITLE AM Chris Disonell (Gracie 3-2) vs. Shelton Sales (Josh Stanley 7-3)
Chris Disonell will be squaring off against Shelton Sales for the coveted PFC 145 lb Ammy Title. Chris trains with Gracie and comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 3 wins by ko/tko in the first round. His two losses were both by submission. His opponent is Shelton Sales and he trains with Josh Stanley. Sales comes into this fight with a 7-3 record with most of his wins by ko/tko. He lost 1 fight by ko/tko and the other 2 by decisions so we know he has no problem going the distance. This is a good fight, worthy for the title but I would have liked to see a western mass guy going for it of course.
145 PRO Erick Rodriques (Link 1-0) vs. Dan Dubuque (DCNU 2-1)
In the first pro fight of the night Erick Rodriques takes on Dan Dubuque at 145 lbs. Erick trains with Team Link and comes into this fight with a 1-0 record. His one pro win was a decision win against Jonathan Torres. This will be his first time fighting in New England. His opponent is Dan Dubuque and he trains with DCNU. He comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with
155 PRO Andrew Chirico (1-1 Renzo Gracie) vs. Jason Bakonowski (3-2 Integrated)
At 155 lbs Andrew Chirico will square off against Jason Bakanowski in the PFC cage. Andrew trains with Renzo Gracie and comes into this fight with a 1-1 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 loss by submission. His opponent is Jay Bakanowski and he trains with Integrated. Jay comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 2 wins by ko/tko and 1 by submission. For his 2 losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. I see this one being a ground battle.
170 PRO Kemran Lachinov (Team Link Ludlow 2-1) vs. Tom Regal (Spacity 0-0)
Next up at 170 lbs Kemran Lachinov will take on Tom Regal. Kemran trans with Team Link in Ludlow and comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 win by sub. His one loss was by decision against Eric Spicely. His opponent is Tom Regal and he trains with Spa city. He will be making his pro debut and as an ammy he went 5-2 with all 5 being finishes. I see this fight being a ground battle.
175 PRO Nick Alley (Team Link NH 0-0) vs. Jerome Mickle (Striking 101 0-0)
At 175 lbs Nick Alley will be facing off against Jerome Mickle. Alley trains with Team Link NH and comes into this fight making his pro debut. Alley had a great amateur career and went 3-1 and I have seen every one. His opponent is Jerome Mickle and he trains with Striking 101. Mickle will also be making his pro debut. Mickle went 4-2 as an amateur with 4 wins by ko/tko to strikes. That is something that one would expect with his team name being Striking 101! This should be another good matchup as I know Alley's fights are always entertaining to watch.
170 PRO Ricardo Funch (Link Ludlow 9-5) vs. Matt Secor (Spacity 7-3)
At 170 lbs Ricardo Funch takes on Matt Secor which is basically the main event of the night. Funch trains with Team Link Ludlow and comes into this fight with a 9-5 record. In the win column, he has 5 wins by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 3 by decision. For his losses he lost 1 ko/tko, 3 sub and 1 by decision. Ricardo is a UFC vet and is on the top fighters in his division in New England. His opponent is Matt Secor and he trains with Spa City Jiu Jitsu. Matt comes into this fight with a 7-3 record with 6 subs and 1 decision wins. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 2 by decision. Matt has fought for Bellator, WSOF and is an Ultimate Fighter Alumni. This fight right here is worth the price of admission!
170 PRO Leon Davis (FAA 7-3) vs. Ralph Johnson ( Ind. 9-19)
At 170 lbs Leon Davis will face off against Ralph Johnson. Davis trains with FAA and comes into this fight with a 8-3 record. Leon has 1 win by ko/tko, 1 win by sub and 5 wins by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 2 by sub. Leon just had his opponent drop out recently and thankfully Ralph Johnson stepped up to take the fight. Johnson is an independent fighter with a 9-19 record. Ralph has all of his wins by ko/tko and most of his losses by ko/tko or sub. Clearly Davis is the better fighter here and should win this fight by submission but as many fighters find out, you can never underestimate the power of the hands of Ralph Johnson.
135 PRO Sarah Payant (1-2 Gladiator BJJ) vs. Leah Letson (Pura Vida BJJ 2-1)
For the last female bout of the night Sarah Payant takes on Leah Letson at 135 lbs. Payant trains with Gladiator BJJ and comes into this fight with a 1-2 record. She has 1 win by submission and 1 loss by sub and 1 by split decision. Her opponent is Leah Letson and she trains with Pura Vida BJJ. Leah comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 by decision. Her one loss came by a split decision in her first pro fight. Both fighters are from a BJJ school so I expect to see this one being a back and forth ground battle. This is going to be another awesome match up for the night and as always I am rooting for our hometown girl Payant!
170 PRO Vinicious De Jesus (Link 2-1) vs. Montoyia Swillings (Champions In Christ 0-4)
At 170 lbs Vinicious De Jesus will take on Montoyia Swillings in the final pro fight of the night. Vini trains with Team Link and comes into this fight with a 2-1 record. Vini has both of his wins at PFC by tko to strikes. His opponent is Montoyia Swillings and he trains in NY with Champions In Christ. He comes into this fight with an 0-4 record 1 loss by ko/tko and 3 by submission. I think this one was a last minute replacement and I see Vini winning this one by tko to strikes in Rd 1 or 2.
There you have the complete breakdown of the upcoming Premier FC 20 event that is happening this Saturday. Warchild and I will be making the trip and keeping you all up with the action. As always if you enjoyed reading this article please show us some love and share it online with your friends on social media. Thanks and hope to see you all there. Special thanks to Karyn Wesch for her hard work and always keeping us up in the loop.