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Jake O'Brien at IndyMMA - photo by Brent Todd

IndyMMA hosted a 16 fight marathon card this past Saturday night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It was an evening packed with some exciting first round finishes, and the IndyMMA lightweight title exchanged hands. In the main event it was UFC vet Jake O’Brien who steamrolled through James Shaw in a minute and eight seconds. O’Brien is fighting at heavyweight, but he really wants to get back to the UFC’s light-heavyweight division.

In the first co-main event, it was Brian Geraghty who won a split decision over Dustin Neace. The bout was originally announced as a unanimous decision, but the Indiana Commission quickly corrected the error and informed us cage side of the mistake. In the second co-main event it was Lloyd Carter who dethroned IndyMMA light weight champion Jeremy Pender via a quick first round knock out. Below is how the main card fights went down, and underneath is the quick results for the entire amateur card.

Professional Bouts
James Shaw Vs Jake O’brien

Jake O’brien came straight in on James Shaw landing a jab, but was really just keeping it out there to keep it in his face. O’brien ducked down for the takedown and almost immediately moved into full mount. When Shaw went to roll O’brien snuck his arm through to cinch up the arm triangle. He hopped into sid mount and circled out until the choke tightened up.

Jake O’Brien defeats James Shaw via submission (arm triangle) at 1:06 of round 1

Brian Geraghty Vs Dustin Neace

In the first round Dustin Neace came out really aggressive, and was landing jabs to the nose of Brian Geraghty. Geraghty was staying in the pocket and was more than happy landing shots to the body of Neace, but he also landed a solid overhand right to the jaw of Neace. Neace was throwing a lot of feints to try and keep Geraghty off his timing, but it seemed liked Geraghty took to the rhythm of Neace. Neace began putting together combinations, and landed two decent flurries in a row, but Geraghty was returning shots to the body. At the end of round Geraghty started to come forward more, and landed a few jabs and straight rights that snapped Neace’s head back. Geraghty came forward with another solid flurry of “one-two’s” of his own, and the round came to an end.

-Recap Scorecard: This was a close round, I could see giving it to Neace, but I gave it to Geraghty 10-9

In the second round Geraghty turned up the pressure a little and was landing leg kicks to the lead leg of Neace, and following up with a lead hook to the body. Neace started to come forward and landed a few nice jab-straight-hook combinations, and was keeping Geraghty on the outside with some solid leg and body kicks. Geraghty remained faithful to the punches to the body, and followed one up with a nice kick to the body of the Neace. Neace landed a leg, and shot in and got Geraghty to the floor. Some blood showing on the face of Neace and he was cut on his right cheek bone. Geraghty scrambled to his feet, and got up with taking no significant strikes on the floor. Geraghty dove in for a take down of his own, but when he got the fight to the ground he landed a shot or two to the mug of Neace before the round ended.

-Recap Scorecard: 10-9 Geraghty (20-18 Geraghty)

In the final frame, Neace opened up landing straight rights, and leg kicks, and he was doing a fine job of marking up Geraghty and keeping him on the outside. Geraghty was still working the body with surgical precision, but still landing to the jaw of Neace. In the middle of the round, it was basically both fighters standing in the center of the cage throwing hands, and it was Geraghty who usually got the better of the exchanges. Geraghty looked to the be the fresher fighter, and at least 3 times Neace came forward to start throwing only to walk right into a stiff jab of Geraghty. Geraghty was throwing some leg kicks as well, and when Neace closed the distance in the final 15 seconds,Geraghty

-Recap Scorecard: 10-9 Geraghty (30-27 Geraghty)

Brian Geraghty defeats Dustin Neace by split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)

Jeremy Pender (champion) Vs Lloyd Carter(challenger)

Pender and Carter both came out cautious pawing jabs out to gauge the distance. The crowd was a little impatient, because a few of the amateur fights were stalled out by wrestlers, but there was definitely a sense something was about to happen. That something was Lloyd Carter measuring up Pender with a jab, and following with an overhand left that sent Pender right to the seat of his pants. Carter smelled the blood in the water and followed up with two punches that turned out Pender’s lights. At first the stoppage looked a little quick, butit was only because of the angle I had on the finish. Pender looked to complain a little but when he hopped up to his feet he was still very wobbly, and he needed the fence and the ref to stand. From the look in his eyes he was finished.

Lloyd Carter defeats Jeremy Pender by knock out (punches) at 1:33 of round 1 to become the new lightweight champion.

Brian Neville Vs Joe Lile

Brian Neville came out with a lot of pressure by backing up Joe Lile with jabs in the face, until he backed him up to the fence to clinch. After Lile turned off the cage they created some space, and after they both missed punches Neville’s back presented itself to Lile and he took it. He climbed on Neville’s back while still standing and muscled him to the floor. From there he worked the position and was able to secure the rear naked choke.

Joe Lile defeats Brians Neville via submissin (rear naked choke) 2:17 of round 1

Amateur Quick Results
Kyle Davidson Vs John Vandiver
Kyle Davidson defeats John Vandiver via submission (arm triangle) at 1:18 of round 1

Kyle Vancamp Vs Chris Axsom
Kyle Vancamp defeats Chris Axsom via knock out at 2:51 of round 1

Mahu Mendosa Vs Anthony Sanders
Mahu Mendosa defeats Anthony Sanders via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Jeremy Jackson Vs Lance Pickrell
Jeremy Jackson defeats Lance Pickrell by technical submission (rear naked choke) at 1:46 of round 1

Brendan Hood Vs Tyler Jones
Tyler Jones defeats Brendan Hood via submission (arm bar) at 1:26 of round 1

Michael Conte Vs Brandon Hartstock
Michael Conte defeats Brandon Harstock via knock out (punches) at :36 of round 1

Jonny Neville Vs Ben Ticen
Ben Ticen defeats Jonny Neville via submission (strikes) at 1:28 of round 1

Damar Gibson Vs James Bubb
James Bubb defeats Damar Gibson via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:35 of round 1

Kyle Nickle Vs Ricky Newton
Kyle Nickle defeats Ricky Newton by submission (arm bar) at :54 of round 1

Jameson Sharp Vs Gary Widget
Jameson Sharp defeats Gary Widget by split decision (29-28 x3)

Levi Rose Vs Justin Dowsett
Levis Rose defeats Justin Dowsett by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Brendan Clawson Vs Donald Wright
Brendan Clawson defeats Donald Wright by knock out (strikes) at :17 of round 1

Cameron Vancamp Vs Sean Falon
Cameron Vancamp defeats Sean Falon via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)