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Throwdown ELITE Fight ReportFiled Under: Local

NOTE: Throwdown II, “The Return” fight results are below.

As, you know, our U of U class planned a field trip to go to the Throwdown ETC Showdown fights last Friday. It was a success – much MMA was had. The fights themselves were fun to watch, and I took notes on each of them.

Overall, I thought it was an entertaining show. The production quality was better than I expected – loud music, a fog machine, two big projection screens, minor-hotties/ring girls – much of what you’d anticipate from a night at the fights. Only a couple of fights lasted more than one round, which was good and bad – it meant I got to bed before 2 AM but left a vague feeling of amatuerism about the event.

For instance, they had trouble with the fight clock – one fight went six minutes, and in this case screwed up the entire fight. I sympathize with the crew though, I know how difficult it can be to have an event with thousands of people.

Still, I really enjoyed it for what it was. Its not in the same league as Spike TV or Pay-Per-View, and no one is trying to market it as such. These guys are the best in local MMA, competing with all their hearts. Even without the refinements of upper level MMA promotions, the fights are still dramatic and engaging.

On a personal note, the ticket my wife bought me got lost at will call – but the production staff took care of me. (Thanks Steve!)

As for the fighters – they are all in pretty good condition and vary wildly in their skill sets. Wrestling, jujitsu, brawling – everybody has their speciality. As for their conditioning, they ranged from “above-average” to “very athletic” but none of the fighters really showed the body of a full time professional athlete. I admire these guys for doing what they love and having the guts to go for their passions.  Remember, these guys are much tougher versions of your next door neighbors – regular dudes who hold down jobs to support their addictive MMA hobby. Perhaps as a result of their position, all the fighters I met were very freindly, socialble, cool guys – no egotistical blowhards.

Bottom line: It’s worth 20 bucks to get yourself a ticket and enjoy talking, thinking, watching and smelling MMA. And it smells good – like stadium-style nachos, popcorn mixed and a fist.

Fight Results and Commentary.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the fights.

Steve “Razor” Sharp vs Rad Martinez,

Lightweight Title

Winner: Rad by unanimous decision after round five.

The headliner and last fight of the night, was a slow, five round grind for the lightweight title. Some people boo’ed because the action wasn’t as quick or as flashy as they’d hoped. Rad came out physically strong and his wrestling skill dominated all five rounds – Rad would muscle a take down, get side control and throw a couple of knees to the body, but nothing too damaging. I talked to Steve after the fight and he was bummed, but not wildly upset at the loss. He didn’t seem too much worse for the wear outside of being let down that the ref didn’t stand them up enough. Steve landed two jumping knees from the clinch that made Rad’s nose bleed, but it didn’t get enough points on the judges card. To me, Rad isn’t a well rounded fighter and will run into problems – but today wrestling won the fight.

Dan “DJ” Gardner vs David Allred

Winner: David Allred by rear naked choke 1st round

First thing I noticed is DJ Dan’s fearsome forehead and his large spectating posse (No offense Dan, I’ve got a Frankenstein forehead too). Early exchange of blows followed by a takedown and body slam by DJ. I expected DJ to dominate, but after a ref split up, David snuck to the back from the clinch, dropped both fighters down, DJ moving to turtle position. David flattened DJ out quickly, securing RNC.

Steven Siler vs Camiann Pacheco

Featherweight Title

Winner: Silver by RNC 1st round

Fast paced, both fighters came out swinging. Pacheco likes to kick, even after being downed and from the guard. Both fighters were scrappy, but Siler knew how to kick a downed opponent and take side control. Pacheco had a nice heel lock attempt, but a few strikes from Siler loosened up Pacheco’s defenses, moved him into turlte position and Siler slapped a RNC that ended it all. Exciting, but short.

I’d like to both fighters become more seasoned and keep fighting in the pro-am leagues.

Chilo Gonzales vs Court McGee

Winner: McGee unanimous decision after 3 rounds.

One of my favorite fights of the night. It was basically ground and pound from McGee in side control, opening a cut over Chilo’s left eye. Chilo had a nice rolling leg lock attempt – but when he found himself in the butterfly guard of McGee, made no progress.

It looked as if MgGee outclassed Chilo at every turn. I was suprised that Chilo couldn’t figure out how to pass the butterfly guard or get off some ground and pound of his own.

DaMarques Johnson vs Brandon Olsen

Winner: DaMarques in round 2 by triangle choke

This was an exciting fight. Olsen got Johnson in a RNC in the first round, but Johnson fought it off nicely. DarMarques seemed like he was better conditioned for the rigors of fighting – during the second round Olsen lagged and his takedowns became sloppy. Midway in the second, DaMarques caught Olsen in a triangle. To sink it in deeper, DaMarques punched while holding the choke and locked in a submission victory.

Dayne Aristizabal vs Pooky Hoots

Winner: Dyne by RNC 7-10 seconds into the first round

First of all, let me note that I think Pooky Hoots has a retarted name (maybe his parents didn’t love him) or is retarded. When he wore his very large cowboy hat while walking into the cage I thought he was being stupid, but it turns out that he rides bulls. However, there is no excuse for a cowboy to have a shaved head save his bleached bangs.

Dayne burst from the fight starting glove touch and secured a tight head clinch, pushing Mr. Hoots to the cage. From there he sneaked into seatbelt control and then to the back. Dayne suplexed his opponent to the ground and secured in RNC.

Zach Lari vs Jeff Willingham

Winner: Lari by TKO due to strikes on the ground.

Jeff came out strong with a takedown and early ground control. Zach soon got out of it and stood things up. Zach landed some strikes, high knees and then took things down for some ground and pound. One big elbow cut Jeff’s scalp and blood spurted out. More pounding and Jeff went into the fetal position and the ref jumped in to stop the action.

As soon as Zach was pried off his prey (Lari did train out of the Lion’s den after all) Jeff stood up and threw a fit, head butting one of the cage posts. Personally, I think he should be glad that the ref stopped things. Guys at the lower levels of pro MMA don’t get paid enough to spend a few months in the hospital – and Jeff situation wasn’t getting any better. The rule of “intellegent defence” is there for a reason.

Ben Fuimaono vs Jordan Smith

Light Heavyweight Title

Winner: Jordan by RNC

Started off with an exchange of blows, Jordan taking two right down the pipe. I thought he was going to be stunned, but he plowed through. Jordan followed with a nice left cross (Mr. Smith is a lefty) and stunned Ben fell prey to the rear naked choke.

After the event ended, Jordan gave me and my buddy an autographed. Classy dude. His seventh grade science class better beware though, he could choke you out on a moments notice.

Sadly, Benjamin will probably retire to go take care of his life outside the cage. I hope the best for you, Ben.

Simon Ione vs Jacob South

Winner: Simon by TKO ref stoppage

After an initial exchange, Ione threw a punch that jarred Jacob and sent him to the ground. Ione lept into side control and the ref sepparated them. I wasn’t sure what had just happened, as I was sure Jacob was still okay to continue. Even though I thought it was premature caution comes first and I appreciate that. Ione’s punch dislocated his shoulder, a sure sign this dude will never make it to the bigger pro leagues, just like college players who get injured frequently enough to make them unsuitable risks.

Eddie Pelczynski vs Craig Ross

Winner: Eddie by TKO

A solid fight with some stand up and ground and pound from both fighters. Eddie controled a good 65% fight and looked much bigger to Craig.  During the later part of the 1st round, Eddie landed a big elbow and opened up a cut on Craigs nose, the ref coming in to stop things a few seconds later.

Afterwards, I had my observation validated. Craig Ross is really a 135 lb fighter  – Eddie’s 155 lbs. He took the fight on short notice to fill in the open card. My buddy Brandon talked to him and  Craig mentioned how tough it was to fight the weight difference. When you’re 210 and your opponent’s 230, it’s not too big of a deal … but when you’re 135 it’s a huge difference.  The thing is that in smaller pools of Utah MMA talent, you have to make allowances. Kudos to you Craig – I hope you can fight some better match-ups in the future.

Travis Robison vs Johny Miller

Winner: Miller by triangle choke, 6:04 minutes into the first round.

Miller got Travis into a triangle at 4:50 in the round, but was unable to lock it in. There was much booing from the crowd, and even a little bit of arbitration. The ref sepperated them but put them back together, giving Johny the triagnle even deeper.   Travis tapped out.  It was a bummer for him and for the fans who 99% of them thought it should go another round.

Because it was the first fight of the night and they didn’t have all the bugs worked out with their fight timer, this fight was a dissapointment. Both fighters wanted a rematch – when you really want to fight, an under-developed and undeserved win feels as feels like an unfair loss. These guys deserve a rematch.

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