United Combat League put on their sophomore event at Bobak’s Signature Room in Woodridge, Illinois. The night of action was kicked off with two amateur kickboxing matches that got the crowd into the fights. The rest of the night showcased twenty amateur mixed martial arts fighters headlined by James Waller and Andrew Potapenko.

Waller rushed in at the start of the main event, but Potapenko was ready and landed a counter. He then threw a kick, but it was Waller’s turn to counter punch. Potapenko pulled guard as he had a good grip on the arm of Waller, but Waller started to throw bomb after bomb to get free. Potapenko tried to threaten a submission with his legs, but Waller opted to stand up and trade. Potapenko immediately clinched and Waller tripped the legs out from under Potapenko. Unfortunately for Waller he was reversed and Potapenko spent the last seconds of the round trying to pass to mount.

The second round Waller swarmed again, this time landing a knee. Potapenko wanted a takedown, but Waller countered with a guillotine. Potapenko popped free and landed an uppercut. Waller stepped back but a left hook landed flush and dropped him. Potapenko rushed and looked for the quick finish but Waller was able to recover. Potapenko adjusted his positioning, passed to mount and landed a big right hand. The right was enough to have Waller stop defending and the ref jumped in and stopped it.

The co-main event featured Kalee Howell taking on Deandra Brenn. Brenn took the fight to Howell immediately taking her down. She got the mount and started to throw punch after punch, but was holding the cage and was stood up with a warning. After the restart, Brenn again got the takedown and battled Howell. Brenn had a choke of some sort, but couldn’t secure a finish. The second round Brenn again scored the takedown. She immediately passed to mount but started to ride up to high. As she was attempting to sit back down, Howell muscled her way to a reversal. Brenn’s head was pushed against the cage and Howell unloaded with every bit of strength she had left. Brenn wasn’t defending enough and the ref stopped the fight.

David Mitchell rushed Hassan Umer at the start of the bell for a takedown, but Umer defended it well. He then dropped for a single leg takedown of his own, but Mitchell wanted a guillotine. Umer popped free from the submission and then scored another takedown. Mitchell gave up his back and Umer sunk in a rear naked choke. After a small grip adjustment, Mitchell was forced to tap.

There were back-to-back knockouts, both ending quickly. First up James Camisa took a big punch from Skylar Lindsey, but then countered and dropped Lindsey. He followed up with two short punches as the ref pulled him off, but they were unneeded. Just after Xavier Guzman took on Matt Colt. Colt came out with kicks, while Guzman wanted to counter. Another counter by Guzman that lands and Colt is unconscious.

Shane Camp and Mike Murphy should both be awarded a tough-to-finish award. In the first round Murphy defended a takedown attempt and worked for a D’Rce choke. He couldn’t get it, and switched to a guillotine choke. Again he couldn’t finish, so he let it go and took Camp’s back. He rode the back of Camp to mount and back all the while throwing punches. Camp tried to roll out, and Murphy used the opportunity to try for an arm triangle choke. He had it in deep, but couldn’t get the angle as he was against the cage as time ran out. The second round Murphy landed a right and Camp returned the favor. This time Camp defended the takedown attempt and wound up with a top mounted guillotine. He tried to adjust several times, but eventually he was too high and had to let go of the choke. Murphy rolled him over, and Camp threatened with a kimura, but time expired. All tied up after two rounds both fighters wanted to leave it all in the cage. Murphy scored the quick takedown and both fighters worked short punches. Murphy was able to pass to side control and against wanted the arm triangle. Camp was able to escape, but Murphy was able to control the position for the rest of the round . The judges were split, but Murphy won the fight.

Heavyweight Robert Little opened the fight with a flying kick against Pete Juska. Juska was able to avoid it, but the two fighters clinched against the cage. Juska landed body punches while Little worked knees to the body. Little attempted a standing guillotine, but Juska was able to escape. Once free of the submission attempt he unloaded a barrage of punches. Little looked hurt and he immediately clinched to recover. The two fighters separate and Little slipped while back-peddling. Juska tried to rush Little, but Little was able to shoot for a takedown and got it. Little started to work hammer fists, but Juska threw his legs up and secured an armbar. He adjusted his grip and Little was forced to tap.

Mike Demakes and John Marino put on an exciting back and forth battle. Demakes scored a takedown early but Marino tried to counter with a guillotine. Marino held onto the guillotine attempt for a long time before Demakes was able to slip free. Once out he started to work punches to the ribs. He postured up and threw short jabs before settling back into the guard. Marino was looking for an arm to trap, but Demakes kept punching his way out. Marino was able to push away and stood up, but not without eating several knees on his way up. Marino returned the favor by landing a knee to the body of Demakes who crumbled to the ground. Marino swarmed, but Demakes was playing possum as he secured a triangle. He couldn’t get the leverage and let it go as time expired in the round. The second the two fighters immediately went toe-to-toe before Marino scored a takedown. Demakes was able to trap an arm and had a deep armbar. Somehow Marino escaped and he started to throw punch after punch. He took the back and continued his punching assault until the ref stopped the fight.

Jason Croses had a reach advantage over Vaughn Camacho and tried to utilize it at the start with a kick. Camacho landed a straight right hand and then clinched. The two fighters went down, then stood back up and Croses landed a big knee. The two separate and Camacho lands a great one-two combo and Croses stumbled. Camacho jumped on Croses, took his back and sunk in a rear naked choke.

Both Martin Jones and Jorge Ignacio threw feint after feint to start the fight. Neither looked like they wanted to commit to a punch, so Ignacio threw a big leg kick to start the damage. Martin looked for a jab, but Ignacio countered with an overhand right. Martin rushed in, clinched and threw knees, but Ignacio took him down for his troubles. Ignacio was able to get Martin’s back, but Martin was trying to hold the held. Once he let go, Ignacio was able to get his hooks in as well as his arm under the chin of Martin and secure the fight ending rear naked choke.

Amateur MMA Quick Results
Jorge Ignacio defeated Martin Jones by rear naked choke at 1:26 of round 1
Vaughn Camacho defeated Jason Croses by rear naked choke at 1:10 of round 1
John Marino defeated Mike Demakes by TKO at 1:34 of round 2
Pete Juska defeated Robert Little by armbar at 2:17 of round 1
Mike Murphy defeated Shane Camp by split decision
James Camisa defeated Skyler Lindsey by knockout at 0:13 of round 1
Xavier Guzman defeated Matt Colt by knockout at 0:26 of round 1
Hassan Umer defeated David Mitchell by rear naked choke at 1:44 of round 1
Kalee Howell defeated Deandra Brenn by technical knockout at 1:46 of round 2
Andrew Potapenko defeated James Waller by technical knockout at 1:06 of round 2

Muay Thai Quick Results
Nick Savino defeated Asef Aksar by unanimous decision
Jeremy Miller defeated Askar Askar by split decision 29-28, 28-29, 29-28

Cage provided by Kage Concepts. Visit them online at www.kageconcepts.net

United Combat League put on their first event at Bourbon Street and it was an action packed night. Headlined by Kenny Jordan and Danny Somers for the featherweight title, the night saw a total of thirteen amateur fights and was announced by Mark Nisson of ABC’s 190 North.

Kenny Jordan and Danny Somers put on one of the best amateur fights of the year. Many thought the fight would end in the first round, but the question was who would win. Jordan was quick to grab a single leg and slammed Somers down to the canvas. Somers was quick to get up and Jordan landed an accidental low knee. After the restart both fighters came out swinging. Somers looked for a takedown of his own, but Jordan defended it well. Jordan eventually gave it up, but then reversed it. From his half guard position he rained down punch after punch. He worked for a top mounted guillotine, but gave it up. Jordan ended the round diving in for a final punch.

Round two Jordan again scored a takedown. Somers showcased his flexability in working for armbars and triangles, but every time he went for a submission, Jordan postured out of the dangerous spot. Jordan eventually stood up and let Somers do the same. It was just a bait as he quickly scored another takedown, landing in side control. He trapped Somers’s arm and threw three punches before Somers escaped the bad position.

Round three Jordan tried again to get a slam takedown, but had to settle for a small trip instead. He worked several punches and as Somers was trying to escape, he spun to work a D’Arce choke. He didn’t have the angle and let go. The two stood again and Somers landed a knee scoring his first major offense of the fight. Jordan went for another takedown, but Somers reversed and worked an inverted triangle and a kimura. The crowd went wild for Somers’s submission attempt but then erupted when Jordan escaped. The judges had an easy time scoring the fight, and Jordan was crowned the new UCL featherweight champ.

Nick Garcia has been dubbed the submission magician and rightfully so. Andrew West rushed Garcia after a body kick and grabbed a guillotine. He immediately pulled guard, but Garcia jumped to side control to avoid being choked out. West held onto the choke and Garcia utilized the rarely seen Von Flu Choke and West started to squirm bad. From our point of view it wasn’t clear if West tapped or if the ref stopped the fight, but as soon as Garcia let go, it was clear that West was in trouble.

In one of the weirdest endings to a fight ever seen at MMARecap, Mike DeLaVega won after a referee stoppage in between the first and second round. DeLaVega took Rue Ben Mendez down and immediately got the mount. After some punches, Mendez gave up his arm and DeLaVega quickly tried to secure an armbar. Mendez was able to roll out of the submission and stood up. DeLaVega worked kicks while Mendez tried to score uppercuts. DeLaVega again took the fight to the ground and got the back of Mendez. He continued to throw punch after punch, all the while looking for the rear naked choke. It wasn’t there and Mendez was able to sneak out the back as time expired. In between rounds, Mendez was shaken and threw up and the ref was forced to stop the fight.

The night featured several fights that were finished by submission. Anthony Ferro threw a kick but Jason Crose caught it and took him down. Ferro quickly stood and the two fighters clinched and worked short knees against each other. Crose tried for a takedown of his own, but Ferro was able to end up on top. Crose tried to roll out from underneath, but Ferro followed him and took his back. From there he didn’t need much to secure the rear naked choke, and the tap.

Kyle Casey was able to open up a gash on Ted Green’s forehead after landing a well timed knee. Prior to the knee in the second round, Green found himself in control of the fight. He scored with several punches that seemed to daze Casey and took him down with ease. He nearly finished the fight in the first round after pinning one of Casey’s arms with his knee and rained down punches. But Casey escaped and in the second round, threw a knee as Green was shooting for a takedown. Green was on top and Casey seemed perfectly content to let Green bleed all over him. The stall tactic worked as Green was baited into an armbar. He tried to stand out of the submission, but it was too late and he was forced to tap.

Ben Carlson had the quickest submission of the night needing just twenty-four seconds to submit Clarence Harris. Carlson came out with a big left-right combo and then locked in a standing guillotine. Harris tried to fend off the submission, but Carlson just squeezed until Harris was unconscious and won the fight.

The night didn’t just have submissions, as there were several great technical knockouts. Billy Jessie seemed to have trouble early on against David Mitchell as Mitchell scored a takedown and was able to pass to mount. Jessie finally escaped out the back and immediately started laying hands on Mitchell’s face. Mitchell tried for a takedown, only this time he couldn’t lift Jessie up. The two clinched against the cage and threw some small knees at one another before being separated. Mitchell threw Jessie off with some wild punches, but was taken down as the round ended. In the second round Mitchell tried for a takedown, couldn’t get it and seemed to just crumble under the weight of Jessie. Jessie started swinging with bad intentions and the ref warned Mitchell to get out. When he couldn’t the fight was over.

Elias Cepeda had a good crowd behind him for his fight against Glenn Evans. Cepeda quickly took the fight down and while he was able to get the mount, Evans scrambled to ensure half guard. Evans tried to turn into Cepeda to escape the bad position, but Cepeda just went with it and started throwing right hand after right hand. After a short period of time the ref was forced to stop it.

What didn’t seem like the fastest knockout, actually was between Diego Cruz and Andrew Munoz. The two fighters came to the center of the cage and just started throwing wild punches at each other. Cruz landed a big knee, but Munoz didn’t seem to be affected at all as he kept coming forward. Cruz started to land big uppercuts to the body of Munoz and then he scored another knee to the midsection of Cruz. This time he looked dazed and Munoz smelled blood and went on the attack. Munoz stumbled and the crowd could sense the end was near. Cruz landed some heavy punches, almost at will and somehow Munoz was still standing. Finally a straight right drops him and the fight is over.

Quick Results
Shane Camp defeated Bob Stack by guillotine choke at 2:18 of round 2
Jason Martin defeated Darrel Edmonson by unanimous decision
Santana Adame defeated Tyler Florey by armbar at 1:00 of round 1
Elias Cepeda defeated Glenn Evans by TKO at 2:02 of round 1
Diego Cruz defeated Andrew Munoz by TKO at 1:25 of round 1
Ben Carlson defeated Clarence Harris by guillotine choke at 0:24 of round 1
Billy Jessie defeated David Mitchell by TKO at 1:30 of round 2
Kyle Casey defeated Ted Green by armbar at 1:39 of round 2
Joe Heuban defeated Mike Zahn by armbar at 2:42 of round 1
Anthony Ferro defeated Jason Crose by rear naked choke at 1:28 of round 1
Mike DeLaVega defeated Rue Ben Mendez by ref stoppage at 3:00 of round 1
Nick Garcia defeated Andrew West by Von Flue choke at 0:46 of round 1
Kenny Jordan defeated Danny Somers by unanimous decision

Cut Throat MMA returned to Atlantis Gentlemen’s Club in Ford Heights, Illinois for Babes and Brawls X. The event featured seven amateur mixed martial arts fights highlighted by the beautiful girls of the club.

Kicking off the night of fights was a lightweight contest between Mike Manning and Adam Meneou. The fight looked like it was going to be all over quickly as Manning quickly took the fight to the ground and got the mount. He bloodied up his opponent and worked for a guillotine choke. Meneou was able to escape but took a big beating during the round. The second round was a close round with Manning working for a guillotine most of the round but Meneou was on top and in side control. Once Meneou was able to get his head free he worked punches to the body and head. Manning tried to escape and was able to reverse the position and rained down punches in bunches. The third round Meneou opened the round with good kicks and was able to get the mount himself. Manning was nearly finished but he found his escape and then worked to finish Meneou. As time was running out in the round Meneou nearly had a triangle choke, but Manning punched his way out.

Justin Hughes came out swinging for the fences against Sean Cooley and never let up. He landed a big combo that hurt Cooley, but Cooley was able to recover quickly. Hughes just picked Cooley up and threw him to the ground and as Cooley stood up he ate several more punches. Hughes got the back of Cooley and threw him to the ground again. Just like the previous time he let Cooley stand up and made him pay with several punches. Hughes continued his assault but was briefly stalled as he left his neck partially open and Cooley tried to capitalize on it with a guillotine. Once free Hughes landed a big right that dropped Cooley. Hughes followed it up with one more punch before the ref called the fight.

Josh Bulak entered the cage to talk about the fund that is now set up for Jeff Dunbar. He gave a small update on Dunbar’s status in that Dunbar has some minor use of his hands.

Returning to action Mike Perry took on Nikola Colovic. The two touched gloves and then immediately went after each other. Perry landed a straight right and Colovic returned the favor with a right of his own. Colovic started to land the better of the two, but Perry was throwing hoping to land. Unfortunately for him, Colovic landed a punch that sent Perry to the canvas and the fight was ended there.

Heavyweights were up next as Cody Murray battled Robert Little in an exciting back and forth battle. The two came out and looked to clinch and work a dirty boxing game. Little seemed to be landing more of his punches and then opted to shoot for a takedown. He couldn’t get it and Murray decided to work some knees. Murray tried for a takedown, but Little countered with a guillotine attempt. As Murray escaped, Little shot for a takedown and was successful. Unfortunately he got reversed and Murray worked punches from the top. Murray started to transition to a different position and Little yelled out in pain and the ref stopped the fight.

From the start it looked like Alfonso Bray would be too much for Shane Camp. Camp wanted to land little leg kicks, but Bray countered with a right hand forcing Camp to shoot for a takedown. Bray sprawled and looked to keep his top position with punches to the body of Camp. Camp stayed busy from the bottom trying to escape and throwing multiple hammerfists to Bray’s ears. He did escape and when both fighters stood, Camp landed an accidental knee to the groin of Bray. After the restart the two fighters clinched and exchanged knees. Camp jumped and grabbed a guillotine. Bray tried to summersault out, but Camp held on, adjusted and squeezed. Bray had not choice but to tap to the submission.

In the co-main event Anthony Corder took on Gregg Tigner. If you blinked you might have missed what happened. Tigner landed a punch and Corder immediately went for a takedown. The two were battling for position on the ground when Corder was able to get on top. Unfortunately Tigner used it to his advantage as he secured an armbar. Corder tried to roll out, but Tigner held on tight and forced the tap.

Andrew West and Mike Reid headlined the great night of fights with an exciting Muay Thai fight. West came out with a big front kick, but Reid countered with a right hand. Reid continued with a leg kick and the two fighters clinched. Both fighters exchanged knees before separating. Reid then connected with a spinning backfist that dropped West. West was able to get up within the eight count and was ready to continue on. Reid immediately pressed the action and landed another spinning backfist that knocked West out.

Quick Results
Mike Manning defeated Adam Meneou by unanimous decision
Justin Hughes defeated Sean Cooley by TKO at 1:49 of round 1
Nikola Colovic defeated Mike Perry by TKO at 0:49 of round 1
Cody Murray defeated Robert Little by verbal tapout at 2:41 of round 1
Shane Camp defeated Alfonso Bray by guillotine at 1:49 of round 1
Gregg Tigner defeated Anthony Corder by armbar at 0:33 of round 1
Mike Reid defeated Andrew West by knockout in round 1

CutThroat MMA Invasion took place on Friday January 27th at La Sierra Banquet Hall in Aurora, Illinois just outside of downtown Chicago. The night of amateur fights action saw two Muay Thai fights and eight mixed martial arts bouts. Headlining the night of action were two title fights as David Hammons taking on Eddie Castillo for the heavyweight title and Sam Ferguson going to battle with Ryan Kirwan for the vacant middleweight title.

Kicking off the night of action were two Muay Thai bouts. Axel Mendez needed just over a minute to dispose of Mike Girton. Mendez came out with a big leg kick, but Girton countered with some good jabs and a hook. Mendez returned the favor landing a big combo that forced the fighters to clinch. Good knee work by both fighters before separating at which point Mendez unloaded a barrage of attacks. Girton went down but was able to get up within the ten count. Mendez again swarmed starting with a big body kick, followed by body punches and a head kick that sent Girton down again. He was unable to stand by the ten count and Mendez was announced the winner.

Women were up next with an exciting Muay Thai bout. Dorothy Schultz brought a massive fight to Katie Fry. Schultz came out with kicks that forced Fry to work a clinch game. Unfortunately she didn’t get the better of it, as Schultz landed multiple knees. As the round was ending, Schultz nearly landed a head kick to the crowd’s delight. Schultz opened the second round with two big front kicks and Fry again went to clinch. Schultz landed knee after knee to the body of Fry. She let go of her clinch and landed an uppercut as Fry was waving off the fight.

After the two Muay Thai fights it was time for some MMA action. Tim Kallas took on Anthony Corder in the lightweight division. Corder came out with a high kick that just missed. He landed a leg kick and Kallas came forward with massive punches. Corder shot forward and looked to grab a heel hook. Kallas spun free and landed punch after punch while taking Corder’s back. Corder turned into Kallas and wound up in a triangle choke. Corder tried to punch his way out, but Kallas adjusted the choke and squeezed. Two more punches by Corder and he knew he was going out so he tapped.

Brandon Conner and Travis Simpson came out swinging with bad intentions. Neither fighter was throwing crisp punches, but the wild hooks were landing for both. Conner shot for a takedown, but Simpson grabbed his neck and worked for a guillotine choke. He couldn’t get it as Conner was trying to roll out of it. As he adjusted to prevent Conner from escaping, he did just that and rained down hammer fists onto Simpson’s face. Conner looked to stand back up, but realized that Simpson left his neck open and grabbed a guillotine choke. He fell back and torqued the choke forcing Simpson to tap.

Andrew West came out with a big front kick to the belly of Mike Zahn that sent Zahn stumbling back. West pressed forward and hip tossed Zahn to the ground landing in side control. West tried to lock in an arm triangle choke before moving to mount. He kept the choke on and squeezed while on top of Zahn. Zahn tried to punch his way out, but West continued to squeeze and forced a tap.

Fight of the night went to Michael Manning and Shane Camp. The first round Camp likely won as he was able to land some massive punches on Manning. Manning threatened with a guillotine and an armbar submission, but Camp was able to escape by punching Manning in the head. At the end of the first round Manning was developing a mouse under his eye. The second round Manning turned up the pressure as he put Camp in submission after submission and nearly always had the better position. Manning was a little hesitant to punch Camp as he seemed to be setting up his submissions, but regardless he won the round. All tied up at the start of the third and Camp shot in for a takedown. Manning again worked a guillotine choke, but Camp was able to escape. Manning with his long legs kept pressure on Camp and switched to his back. Camp turned into Manning and was on top, but Manning wanted to secure an armbar. Camp escaped and got Manning’s back and locked in a rear naked choke with just twenty seconds left of the fight.

After the exciting battle between Manning and Camp, it would have been difficult to have another exhilarating fight. But that’s just what Jon James and Kyle Kurt did. The first round James looked for a takedown but got reversed. It wasn’t long however until he rolled and took the mount. James unloaded punch after punch after punch and Kurt was in danger. Kurt managed to grab a leg and escaped the bad position, but was nearly finished by a kimura as time ran out. At the start of the second round it was apparent that Kurt had more in his gas tank than James did. White spent most of the round on top of James raining down punches from James’s back. James finished the round with a takedown, but it wasn’t enough to win the round. The third round started and the crowd went wild. Both fighters looked to finish with a big single punch, but it was Kurt who scored first with a big knee that hurt James. Kurt rode James’s back again landing punch after punch. He nearly finished the round that way, but again James was able to escape and score a takedown as time expired. It was clear that Kurt had won rounds two and three, and the judges were all in agreement that that was the case awarding him the fight.

Best takedown of the night went to Anthony Nichols who just powered his way through Tom Shoaff and drove him not only into the cage, but also into the canvas. But Shoaff was extremely comfortable working off his back. Nichols did little to try and advance his position as Shoaff threatened with multiple submissions. Shoaff nearly finished the fight with an arm triangle from the bottom, but Nichols was able to escape. In the second round Nichols again scored a big takedown and again Shoaff threatened with a triangle. Nichols slammed his way out, but Shoaff used the opportunity to go for a takedown of his own. Shoaff quickly took the mount and from there went after Nichols’s arm. Three different versions of an armbar were attempted, but the third was the one that secured the win.

The heavyweight title was on the line as David Hammons challenged Eddie Castillo for his belt. Hammons immediately shot in for a takedown, but Castillo defended well. Castillo landed a knee and an uppercut that seemed to rock Hammons. Hammons shot for another takedown, this time eating three more knees. Hammons went down and it looked like the ref was stepping in to call it but Hammons said he was fine. Castillo came in again and landed several knees that sent Hammons to the canvas. Castillo continued his attack with several punches and the ref was forced to stop the action.

The main event feature Sam Ferguson and Ryan Kirwan battling for the vacant middleweight title. Ferguson came out looking for a takedown, but Kirwan was swinging for the fences. Ferguson worked a Thai clinch and landed a couple of knees. Ferguson then scored a takedown but was nearly rolled. As he was punching Kirwan, he did get rolled. Kirwan on top throwing punches, but Ferguson threatened with an armbar. Kirwan postured out of the submission and then just started throwing massive left hands. Ferguson visibly hurt by the left hands, but they still kept coming. Kirwan continued the assault until the ref mercifully stepped in and stopped the fight crowning Kirwan the new middleweight champion.

Muay Thai Quick Results
Axel Mendez defeated Mike Girton at 1:29 of round 1
Dorothy Schultz defeated Katie Fry at 0:47 of round 2

Mixed Martial Arts Results
Tim Kallas defeated Anthony Corder by triangle choke at 1:07 of round 1
Brandon Conner defeated Travis Simpson by guillotine choke at 1:00 of round 1
Andrew West defeated Mike Zahn by arm triangle choke at 0:45 of round 1
Shane Camp defeated Michael Manning by rear naked choke at 2:39 of round 3
Kyle Kurt defeated Jon Jones by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Tom Shoaff defeated Anthony Nichols by armbar 1:49 of round 2
Eddie Castillo defeated David Hammons by TKO at 0:46 of round 1
Ryan Kirwan defeated Sam Ferguson by TKO at 2:16 of round 1

photo gallery to follow in the coming days