REBEL FIGHTER : “DOMINATION” OCTOBER 2, 2010   
REBEL FIGHTER : “DOMINATION” OCTOBER 2, 2010
STORY BY : Mark Brill mbrill@mmako.org

 

Rebel Fighter once again puts it down, as 700 people filled the place to capacity thirty minutes before the show started.
Every fight was exciting, and the last two shows have been sold out. A great night of fights, with a total of 13 fights on the card. The first seven fights were amateur fights (CAMO). The last six being pro fights, making this an awesome card.

Amateur: First fight of the night was Ryan Hatfield out of Coaching Kids MMA versus Stephen Gruber out of Orr’s MMA. They both came out swinging, making the first fight a thriller, with Stephen Gruber getting the better of Ryan. They went to the second round and Stephen was able to hurt Ryan who broke his hand, this caused his hand to drop, then Stephen caught him with a left hook causing Ryan to go down and the referee stopped the fight in the second round forty eight seconds in.

In the second fight of the night, Dillon Moore out of Overcome MMA faced Tahueed Safi in a great fight. Dillon and Tahueed gave the crowd a tremendous show, but Tahueed controlled the fight. Moving into the second round, with Tahueed again in control, Tahueed took Dillon to the ground, and getting his back, sank in a rear naked choke at 1:03 into the second round.

Third fight of the night had Javelle Ford out of Carnage MMA fighting Kory Morford who came out swinging, Javelle looked to be sizing Morford up, landing some nice leg kicks that seemed to hurt Kory a little, it went back and forth, then Kory caught Javelle with a nice overhand right stunning Javelle, but with a quick recovery by Javelle he was able to land some good shots. As we moved into the second round they took up where they had left off from
the end of the first round and Javelle was able to land another good leg kick, followed by an overhand right, stunning Kory. Javelle was able to make the most of this advantage and finish the fight by TKO 1:17 into the second round.

Fourth fight of the night was Eddie McCleary out of Overcome MMA fighting Johnny Duncan of Huckaba’s Next Generation. As these two fighters came out it became a wrestling match with not much stand up in this fight. Eddie was controlling the ground, and what standup there was. This fight moved to the second round and somehow Johnny broke his wrist when they were on the ground, causing this fight to be stopped in the beginning of the second round.

Fifth fight of the night featured Moises Abarca of Carnage MMA fighting Brandon Etherington of Coaching Kids MMA. This was the only boring fight of the night, in my opinion, causing me to yawn a little. Moises controlled the ground game and made it a wrestling match. Moises won a unanimous decision over Brandon.

Sixth fight of the night pitted Jose Carrero of Overcome MMA against Leif Carlson of Coaching Kids. Carlson was awesome, going crazy, and making this another exciting bout. Leif made quick work of Carrero, sinking in a rear naked choke 1:09 into the first round.

The seventh match, and final amateur fight of the night, had Mike Arvasias out of Huckaba’s Next Generation fighting Frank Flores of Oakdale MMA. This was a good fight and exciting, but very quick, as Frank was able to get Mike’s back and sink in a rear naked choke :52 into the first round.

Next up were the pro fights with a total of six bouts. The eighth fight of the night had Michael Suarez fighting TJ Dillashaw out of Ultimate Fitness. This fight was very exciting and action packed. Michael did not back down, but TJ was just on a whole other level, as he was able to get Michael down to the ground, get to his back and sink in a rear naked choke 2:34 into the first round. This seemed to be the night for rear naked chokes.

Ninth fight of the night was Robert Ballard of Caesar Gracie’s MMA fighting Marcus Gaines of Independent Fighter. Robert Ballard was outstanding and this was the best I have ever seen him do. Marcus Gaines, a very gifted fighter, had no chance in this fight. What happened to Marcus Gaines? Robert Ballard was able to get Marcus to the ground with ease and got Marcus’s back, allowing him to sink in a rear naked choke 1:18 into the first round.

Tenth fight of the night was Victor Moreno of Team Endurance fighting Chris Sheridan 0f Ultimate Training. Victor came out strong, looking good, and
was able to take Chris down with a huge slam. Victor got on top trying to ground and pound, but Chris was able to control Victor’s wrists and keep moving his hips, as Victor moved into a triangle choke. This was the longest triangle choke I have ever seen someone caught in. Victor is a very strong Marine and would not quit, until Chris was able to land some nice elbows from the bottom causing referee Josh Rosenthal to stop the fight due to TKO 2:10 into the first round.

The eleventh fight of the night was Daniel Romero of Overcome MMA fighting Mike Bravo of Marinobles MMA. Daniel is a little James Irvin, as I mentioned in
the last Rebel Fighter report. Only, he did not fight like James tonight.
Daniel came out strong, looking good and dominating the beginning of the fight and causing Mike to grab the cage with both hands preventing a takedown and costing Mike a point deduction. Daniel went for an odd guillotine choke
that was never really in and caused Daniel to burn his energy, tiring him at the end of the first round. Daniel and Mike came out in the second round and Mike started to take control of the fight, landing the better strikes causing Daniel to try and take the fight to the ground. Daniel was able to get a few takedowns, but never controlled the ground game. We went to the third round and Daniel appeared tired, and not able to do very much, as Mike was able to land the better strikes and almost get a TKO at the end of the third round. The fight went to the score cards and Daniel won in a controversial split decision.

The twelfth fight of the night was the Co-Main Event for the Rebel Fighter Lightweight Championship. Andre Fili of Overcome MMA who is 4-0 coming into this fight facing Derrick Burnsed of Ultimate Fitness who is 5-1.  What a fight this was! Both fighters went to war, with Andre having the better standup in the first round, Derrick was able to take Andre down. In the second round Andre was trying to keep it standing up, but Derrick threw a kick at the start of the second round and confused Andre. Andre threw a kick, and Derrick shoots, gets the takedown with ease, and controls the ground game.
Third round and Andre is very tired. Derrick throws the same kick again at the start of the round and Andre did not catch on. Andre tried to keep it standing, but every time he tried to kick Derrick was able to shoot in and get the takedown. Derrick did have a bad cut on his left eye but Andre never landed any shots to really open it up.
 

Derrick controlled the ground game and landed some very nice elbows. As the fourth round begins this fight is one of the best title fights we’ve seen, as Derrick again does that side kick and Andre is just exhausted at this point in the fight. Derrick was able to get a good take down and dominate the fourth round. Fifth round, Andre tries kicking and punching desperately, but Derrick was able to get Andre to the ground and control the fight until Andre’s knee popped out, with his knee being bent backwards, causing a stoppage due to injury and Derrick getting the TKO 1:22 in the fifth and final round, becoming the new Rebel Fighter Lightweight Champion.

MAIN EVEN OF THE NIGHT, WOW!!
This was for the Rebel Fighter World Heavyweight Championship. James “The Sandman” Irvin of Team Reign fighting “Angel of Death” De Anda of Oakdale MMA. This fight was just amazing, as the crowd was just crazy in anticipation of this fight. I had stomach jitters on this one, and I really did not know who would win
the battle as I watched both fighters enter the ring. Angel was not looking nervous at all; just calm and hungry, and James looked like James. They began with James sizing up Angel for the first ten seconds, but Angel did not want that and started to bang, causing James to be a
little frustrated. Angel was able to land some good punches and forced James to turn it on. James leapt and did a superman punch which landed on Angels chin, dropping him.  Angel recovered quickly and jumped back up. James was a bit over anxious and got caught by Angel, rocking James who was hurt badly, and left himself open for Angel to land more shots, and James was almost out on his feet as
Josh Rosenthal nearly stepped in to stop it, but James recovered quickly and started to jump on Angel with fierce striking, finally landing one right hand on Angel’s chin knocking him out 1:48 into the first round, with James Irvin becoming the very first Rebel Fighter Heavyweight Champion.
What a great night of fights, with Rebel Fighter selling out another fantastic show. I can’t wait for the next Rebel Fighter event. Maybe Huckaba vs. Irvin??