Brawls at Bourbon Street!

Brawls at Bourbon Street
By: Matt Coffman
www.mmasucka.com

The crowds waited to enter the arena on January 13, 2010.  Another amateur MMA event is taking place at Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park,IL. With the weigh-in happening yesterday most fighters looked at least 5 pounds heavier on the fight day.  Tonight will be some fighter’s first fight in a cage. 

Going into an amateur MMA event you have to have a different mindset then watching a UFC event.  It is not the high level of fighting that you are used to watching.  You won’t see any flying arm bars. Striking can turn into an all out brawl with fighters swinging wild.  But this is what makes amateur MMA so special.

The fighters at this event fight for the love of the sport.  All have some kind of formal training; most have even had a few fights.

Cutthroat MMA has been putting on shows for years now.  They have the show down to a science, adding in parts to each show to make it a little better for the fans each time.  This show happened to be the first show that will be televised.  Cutthroat MMA has been producing some of the finest amateur fighters in the Midwest for years.

It was surprising to see the quality level of production and work put into the show.  It was very professional, with each fighter having an entrance, great announcing, great light work and great music.  It was a great show and I am sure everyone in the crowd had a great time.

The announcer calls all the fighters in the cage and all file in.  Some fighters jump up and pump their fist, others looked focused and don’t crack a smile.  The fans cheer knowing that the fights are going to start in the next few minutes.  You can feel the excitement.

The first fight of the night is the first MMA fight for both fighters. Fighting at 185 Chris Cronin V. Andrew West would be an exciting bout that lasted every minute of the 3 round fight. Both fighters came out swinging.  Cronin took West down two times in the first round. West however, was able to land power shots that bloodied up Cronin.  The second round the fighters began to slow. Cronin mounted West two times, and he was reversed two times. No real damage was done this round there was a lot of movement and good passing in each others guard. The pivotal moment in the fight that left a lasting impression in the judge’s mind was near the end of the final round.  West pushed Cronin into the cage and landed heavy body shots.  The strong striking at the end gave West the edge in a close first fight.  West winner by unanimous decision.

Corey Kuropas V. Victor Johnson at 150 lbs was the next fight of the night. It was apparent from the opening bell that both fighters had mutual respect for each other.  Johnson was able to set up a great takedown early in the first round.  Kuropas immediately put in a triangle that prevented Johnson from landing any strong blows.  The fight continued this way for three rounds, neither fighter was able to submit or knockout each other.  Johnson always seemed on top but never able to advance his position.  Kuropas was never able to synch the triangle deep enough to submit Johnson.  Corey Kuropas wins by split decision based on the fact that he was more active with submissions then his opponent.

The 205 pounders were next entering the cage. Tony Kimbrogh V. Nick Harold. Tony looked more comfortable on his feet.  He was able to sit back and wait for his opponent to throw punches and counter.  Tony landed a flurry of punches that ended the fight in the first round. Tony Kimbrogh was announced the winner 1:38 in the first round.

The next fight was something that was a very special fight.  At 140 lbs Fatimah Sayyad V. Ginger Gallardo was the only woman’s amateur fight on the card.  Fatimah took down Gallardo and was able to find a quick rear naked choke. The fight ended by submission in the first round in 20 seconds.  After the fight Fatimah was asked what is next for her, her reply, “Cyborg”.

The heavy weight division was a face off between Mike Bubacz and Larry Hayden. Mike a boxer showed great head movement and the ability to slip punches with pin point accuracy.  Hayden’s only chance to win this fight would have been to take down his opponent, which he was unable to do.  The fight ended 30 seconds in the first round by knockout. 

An intermission gave fans time to go in the lobby and meet pro-fighters. Wes Sims, Clay Guida and Shonie Carter were in attendance all signing autographs and hanging out with the fans. After looking back at the fights you start to realize how much you love this sport.  Seeing rear naked chocks, knockouts, triangle chocks is what makes this sport so special. 

After intermission the crowd went wild. Ryan Kerwin had a huge fan base at the fight cheering for him as he entered the cage.  Tovarus Green his opponent entered the cage to boos.  Both fighters touched gloves and this 175lb fight was underway. Kerwin moved in and landed a nice right kick to the head of Green.  Green continued to charge forward leading with his fist. Kerwin leaned just a little too far forward and was hit with a vicious upper cut that ended the fight 1:20 in the first round. It was a great fight; I just wish it lasted a little longer.

T.J. Rowely V. Tom Gill were ready to get underway. The 170lb fighters took the center of the cage.  Rowely was able to secure a takedown and mount Gill. Gill was able to reverse it. For a short time Gill was raining hammer fist on his opponent. Gill however got to high.  Rowely was able to submit his opponent in the first round with a rear naked choke.

Josh Theis V. Glen Evans was a great 170lb fight.  Theis was able to control the fight after his take down in the first round. He would remain on top looking for a choke hold but was unable to find what he was looking for but Theis was able to switch from side control to the other side and submit his opponent with a side choke. This fight ended 2:06 in the first round.  Theis had excellent ground work with his ability to work submission on both sides of the body.

One of the more highly touted fighters Matt Giancarlo V. Kyle Weathers were set to start there 135lb faceoff in the octagon.  Matt looked more relaxed in this fight then he has in the past which is showing that he is maturing as a fighter.  Matt was able to take Kyle down and wait patiently for a submission opportunity to open up.  He eventually was able to submit his opponent with a rear naked choke in the first round.

Ryan Knowles V. Jose Luna was the second heavyweight fight of the evening. Both big men had the ability to move very fast around the octagon. Knowles was able to trip his opponent to mount position.  After some ground and pound work by Knowles he was able to sink in the rear naked choke 55 seconds into the first round.

At 145lbs Sam Agushi v. Jay Mangles was submission of the night fight.  The fight started with a quick takedown by Mangles.  Agushi attempted an ankle lock that looked like he was going to remove Mangles foot. Mangles rolled out of the foot lock, while losing his dominate position.  Mangles started to rain down blows and Agushi caught an arm bar.  The arm bar was so deep that Agushi dislocated Mangles arm.

Mickey Martin v. Leo Husarik was a great fight. Both fighters showed strong striking ability.  Mickey had the edge in striking while Leo had the edge on the ground game.  At the end of the first round Mickey was put into a rear naked choke with 10 seconds left in the round.  He was submitted as the bell for the end of the round sounded.

The main event of the card-included fighters Mike Rzab and David Longoria who were fighting at 135.  The fight started, and Rzab had the better stand-up.  After landing strikes Rzab took down Longoria.  Longoria was able to sink in an armbar. Rzab picked up Longoria and slammed him three times.  Longoria released the armbar. Rzab fell into a triangle choke and was submitted in the first round.

Come out to the next card in Chicago and I promise you will have a great time.

By: Matt Coffman