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Friday night at the Congress Theater, Cut Throat MMA presented “Invasion Chicago” that delivered a night of amateur MMA and Muay Thai action. Nearly 3,000 people were in attendance for the four hours of competition. Here’s what happened…

Darrel Edmonson (Team No Comment) vs Chris Bergeron (Emerald Smoke)
ref – Carlos Diaz

Round one: Edmonson took the center of the cage as the two trade punches. First knockdown came from Edmonson, but he was unable to capitalize on a downed opponent. Both fighters stood and banged away with single punches and kicks. Bergeron landed a solid punch that rattled Edmonson. Bergeron tried to swarm and got caught coming in with a right hook and dropped. Edmonson swarmed and landed several hammer fists. Bergeron managed to get up, but was bloody and dizzy. Bergeron tried to hulk up and threw a kick. Edmonson caught it and dropped him with a cross. Bergeron was seriously bleeding as the round ended.

Round two: Bergeron still had blood all over his left ear as the round started. Bergeron dove in for a takedown, but it was stuffed by Edmonson. Bergeron took the center, but Edmonson was moving fast around him on the outside. Bergeron started to land his cross punch. Edmonson landed more than Bergeron. A solid right hook from Edmonson and the crowd felt it. Bergeron was still standing and pushed forward. Edmonson for the countless time caught the right kick from Bergeron and landed a straight cross to the jaw. Bergeron landed a push kick to Edmonson’s abs. Both fighters slowed towards the end. Edmonson caught another kick and landed with the cross again.

Round three: Edmonson took the center, but both fighters were selective with strikes. Bergeron ducked under a jab and secured a double leg takedown into guard. Soft punches from Bergeron from the top. Edmonson struggled to get out from under Bergeron. Edmonson struggled for wrist control and over hooks. More soft punches from Bergeron. Edmonson tried to use the cage to wall walk. Edmonson countered another takedown attempt into mount, but Bergeron swept Edmonson at the last fifteen seconds of the fight. Doctor came right in after the end of the round to check on Bergeron with the cut over his left eye.

Result: Darrel Edmonson via Unanimous Decision

Andrew Potapenko (Counterstrike MMA) vs Bobby Kpa (Independent)
ref – Carlos Diaz
Round one: Potapenko took the center and started landing punches. Kpa dove in for at takedown and countered by Potapenko with choke attempt. Good clinch work with punches from both fighters. Kpa fell trying to get away and Potapenko jumped on him for hammer fists. Back to their feet and Potapenko landed punches as Kpa covered up. Overhand rights from Kpa who threw bombs instead of technical strikes. Potapenko softened up Kpa with leg kicks and pushed him up against the cage for more knee strikes. Guillotine choke from Kpa as a counter against the takedown from Potapenko. Close work against the cage as the crowd booed and the round ended.

Round two: Potapenko took the center and opened up with a body kick and straight cross that landed on the chin. More overhand strikes from Kpa. Potapenko clinched and moved the fight to the cage. Kpa did a lot of unnecessary covering and Potapenko swarms in to land punches. The ref stops the fight with unanswered strikes.

Result: Andrew Patapenko ref stoppage at 1.10 of round two

Justin Mora (Duneland Vale Tudo) vs TJ Whalen (Emerald Smoke)
ref – Carlos Diaz
Round one: Whalen took the center and they started to trade right away. Mora with a quick mount from a double leg takedown. Moved to back, but could finish the choke and Whalen used it to stand up. Mora with another jab-takedown combo that ended in Whalen’s guard. Thoughtful movement from both fighters while on the ground. Whalen worked with an open guard and Mora landed soft hammer fists to stay busy. Whalen held down Mora for a good period of time with in the three-minute round. Punches to the body and head from Mora to end the round.

Round two: Whalen showed some damage under the right eye. Mora opened up with another takedown and into side control against the cage. Another mount secured from Mora and landing heavy punches. Whalen round some space and snuck out and landed punches on Mora. Mora looked tired and held Whalen against the cage, but didn’t do any damage. Crowd called for knees and either fighter landed. Mora started to show damage around the mouth and nose. Solid right hand punch from Mora to Whalen’s chin against the cage. Mora just pinned Whalen against the cage and delivered strikes as the round ended.

Round three: Whalen jabbed Mora to open, but Mora countered with another double leg takedown into half guard. They worked against the cage as Whalen secured full closed guard. Mora worked from the top with short hammer fists. Whalen tried to gain wrist control, but Mora was too active. Mora postured up and landed heavy strikes on Whalen’s head. Stand up from the ref. Then Mora delivered another spinning takedown at the end of the fight.

Result: Just Mora via Unanimous Decision

Jason Crose (New Beginnings MMA) vs Matt Giancarlo (Gilbert Grappling)
ref – Carlos Diaz
Round one: Crose opened up with a push kick that was reversed by Giancarlo with a takedown in to side control. Punches landed from Giancarlo to the head and the right side of the body of Crose. Giancarlo moved to strike his knees to the left side of the body. Crose turtled and took punishment to the side of the head. Giancarlo tried to get hooks in, but Crose blocked those advances. Giancarlo was able to capture the neck for a RNC as Crose lightly tapped out.

Result: Matt Giancarlo via Tapout due to a RNC at 1.44 of round one

 

Michelle Profit vs. Breea Gilbert
Ref – Dave Duset
Round one: Gilbert took the center and landed punches that pushed Profit back. Gilbert landed a solid right hand that would have dropped Profit if the cage wall didn’t catch her. Gilbert owned the center and landed hard punches. Profit tried to find space to work but Gilbert was in close and did not let her get away. Solid takedown from Gilbert against the cage to end in side control. Profit tried to counter with a choke, but Gilbert reversed into mount and landed punches. Ref called for a stand up because Gilbert struck the back of the head. After the restart Profit stopped right before Gilbert struck her in the face.

Result: Breea Gilbert via verbal Tapout at 2.19 of round one

 

Zach Sesko (MMA Underground) vs Aaron Brooks (Carlson Gracie)
ref – Dave Duset
Round one: Sesko ended up in full guard against the cage after a huge scramble to start the fight. Brooks went for an arm bar from the bottom early and Sesko picked him up and slammed him down. The hold was not released. Brooks used the arm bar attempt to counter and move into side control. Still in side control, Brooks was content to land punches and knees to the body. Sesko tried to explode for a reversal, but Brooks maintained control. Brooks had a failed arm bar attempt that Sesko countered to end the round on top and landed punches.

Round two: Brooks took the center and threw leg kicks, but Sesko had maintained a far enough distance to not take damage. Sesko landed a heavy cross but Brooks was unfazed. Sesko pushed the bigger Brooks against the cage until Brooks reversed and exploded off the cage into a takedown. Brooks worked from half guard to land punches to the body then moved to side control. Sesko had Brooks’s head trapped under his armpit and secured his hands around Brooks’s back. Brooks gained mount but was unable to posture up to land damage. Sesko used his position to revers and end the round in Brooks’s guard.

Round three: Good and heavy leg kick from Brooks to start and he took the center. Sesko clipped Brooks and he went in for a takedown as a counter against the cage. Sesko countered with a guillotine choke as Brooks picked him and slammed him down. Sesko released the choke and started working from guard. Brooks tried to stand up, but Sesko countered with a leg lock then switched it to a heel hook. Brooks moved into top position and took an arm home with him.

Result: Aaron Brooks via Tapout due an arm bar at 2.45 of round three.

 

Patrick Murphy (Counterstrike MMA) vs. Aaron Hammons (Tear)
ref – Dave Duset
Round one: Hammons shot in for a takedown, but stuffed by Murphy. Murphy tried to take the back a few times and finally got it. Snuck in the hooks and started landing punches. Punches to the body and head landed. Hammons with unanswered punches and the ref stopped the fight.

Result: Patrick Murphy by ref stoppage due to strikes at 1.01 of round one.

 

Faith Profit vs. Audrey Pang
ref – Dave Duset
Round one: Pang took the center, but Profit came out with punches and bunches. Pang secured a takedown into side control then easily moved to mount. Ground and pound came from Pang with Profit flat on her back. Pang moved the fight to the cage and unloaded everything he had on her opponent. The ref finally stepped to rescue Profit. Crowd went crazy.

Result: Audrey Pang via stoppage due to strikes at 1.17 of round one.

Bantamweight Tourney Quarterfinal
Sean Gee (Glen Hudson Academy) vs Jerald Williams (Team No Ego)
ref – Carlos Diaz
Round one: Williams took the center and pushed Gee back for a single leg. Not a full takedown as Gee has his back against the cage. Williams moved to half guard and landed body shots. There was a large struggle to stand up from Gee as Williams tried to hold him down. Williams was able to get Gee flat on his back and in half guard. Little damage from each fighter but a lot of work for position. Gee able to escape from the space given by Williams. As Gee was backing up Williams came forward and Gee delivered a knee to the body to drop Williams. Gee with a huge double leg takedown as the round ends.

Round two: Gee caught Williams with a right hook when he came forward. Gee went in for a takedown and Williams countered with a guillotine attempt. Gee worked in Williams’s guard until he backed away and asked Williams to stand up. Williams got desperate for a takedown with only half effort. Williams worked and pushed Gee against the cage for another takedown. Williams did not advance or land damage. Gee worked to stand up, and then tried to control Williams for a stand up. Williams broke for a stand up and Gee sprang back to his feet. Williams rushed in for a takedown and Gee countered with a deep guillotine choke that would have ended the fight, but the round ended first.

Round three: Williams with a failed takedown attempt and Gee used the opportunity to land body shots. Gee landed a knee to the stomach, but Williams said it was an illegal blow and the ref gave Williams time to recover. Williams with a solid takedown into Gee’s full guard. Action moved to the cage wall with little damage from Williams. Gee fought back with punches to the body. Gee was able to stand up, but was brought right back down. Gee stood up again and Williams moved to half guard. Gee moved to a neck choke and the Gee corner screamed that Williams went out, but the ref didn’t stop the fight as Williams wasn’t out. The fight ended with Williams landing punches from the top position.

Result: Jerald Williams via Split Decision

Bantamweight Tourney Quarterfinal 2
Anthony Guerrero (Team Tomchek) vs Manny Camacho (Full Mount MMA)
ref – Carlos Diaz
Round one: Guerrero took the center and landed jab to Camacho’s face. Guerrero pushed the fight against the cage and landed a left hook from the break. Guerrero again pushed the fight against the cage, but Camacho switched positions on him. Guerrero tried to inside leg trip, but was countered by Camacho to stay on top. Not a lot of damage at this point, but heavy work for position. Ref took a point away from Guerrero for grabbing the shorts too many times. Strong kicks from Guerrero then moved in the clinch for heavy knees to the body. Strong head kick that was block by Camacho and more accurate punches from Guerrero to end the round.

Round two: strong jab from Guerrero to start the second. Camacho with good body movement t get in close to Guerrero and secure a body lock takedown. Quickly moved into mount, Guerrero rolled into turtle. Guerrero started to bleed, but still fought on. Guerrero turned back into his opponent as Camacho got the mount. Guerrero slowly worked his way out of mount and into the bottom of north-south on the knees. Camacho grabbed the neck for a guillotine attempt. Guerrero lost balance and Camacho fell into full mount. Punches from the top as Camacho has control of the back. Camacho with another RNC attempt but Guerrero had good defense with two-on-one hand control. Guerrero snuck out he back and retains full guard as round ended.

Round three: Guerrero came in but Camacho met him with a left hook to the chin. Guerrero pushed the action to the cage as Camacho defended the takedown. More hard work on the cage wall for position and not damage. Guerrero dropped for a double and Camacho countered with a choke attempt. Camacho switch to a single, but was unable to bring Guerrero down. Camacho moved back to a body lock as Guerrero started to land punches. Camacho switched to a double leg takedown against the cage. Guerrero used butterfly guard to keep Camacho at bay. Camacho landed a few punches from this position. Fight ends with both guys punching to the face.

Result: Manny Camacho via Majority Decision

 

John Reid (LA Fitness) vs Bill Jessie (Team Immortal)
ref – Carlos Diaz
Round one: Jessie took the center and delivered the first strike on the outside leg. Jessie caught Reid with an overhand left to make Reid stumble backwards under his own feet and fell ass first on the mat. Jessie moved in and landed punches, Reid fell over and tapped out.

Result: Bill Jessie via Tapout due to strikes at .32 of round one.

 

Main Event
Muay Thai match
Andrew Ballenger (Contemporary Martial Arts in Savannah, Georgia) vs Mike Reid (Carlson Gracie)
ref – Carlos Diaz

Round one: Ballenger took the center and engaged the action first. The fight moved into the clinch and both fighters landed knees to the body. Spinning back heel kick from Reid that just missed. Ballenger pushed the fight to the cage. Reid with a strong side kick that landed to the body. Reid unleashed the spinning strikes and a strong combo to finish from Reid to end the round.

Round two: Ballenger pushed forward with spinning back kicks and heavy straight punches. Reid closed the distance and worked into the clinch, but not much damage given. Reid landed hard to the body with punches and half blocked kicks. Reid pinned Ballenger to the cage with knees to the body and dropped him with a knee to the liver. Reid dropped Ballenger again with cage pressure and punches to the body. Reid landed everywhere on Ballenger, head, body and legs. Ballenger was knocked down right at the bell and took most of his break to walk back to his corner.

Round three: Reid came right in and delivered a hard punch to Ballenger’s head. Reid landed more strikes to the body, then Ballenger fell over. Ref called the fight.

Result: TKO Mike Reid at .12 of the third

 

Quick Results:
• Darrel Edmonson defeated Chris Bergeron via Unanimous Decision.
• Andrew Patapenko defeated Booby Kpa via ref stoppage at 1.10 of round two.
• Justin Mora defeated TJ Whalen via Unanimous Decision.
• Matt Giancarlo defeated Jason Crose via Tapout due to a RNC at 1.44 of round one.
• Breea Gilbert defeated Michelle Profit via verbal Tapout at 2.19 of round one.
• Aaron Brooks defeated Zach Sesko via Tapout due an arm bar at 2.45 of round three.
• Patrick Murphy defeated Aaron Hammons via ref stoppage due to strikes at 1.01 of round one.
• Audrey Pang defeated Faith Profit via stoppage due to strikes at 1.17 of round one.
• Jerald Williams defeated Sean Gee via Split Decision.
• Manny Camacho defeated Anthony Guerrero via Majority Decision.
• Bill Jessie defeated John Reid via Tapout due to strikes at .32 of round one.
• Mike Reid defeated Andrew Ballenger via TKO at .12 of the third.

Night’s Best
• Submission: Matt Giancarlo
• T/KO: Patrick Murphy
• Fight: Edmonson & Bergeron