Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Michigan Combat League: Round One

South Rockwood's Sindone Brothers both victorious at MCL: Round One

Michigan Combat League: Round One, hosted by professional MMA fighter Jake Short of Allen Park, kicked off its first Friday Night Fights series at the Diamond Park Center in Lincoln Park, Friday March 11. Sponsored by Gameheads, the show featured a stockpile of debuting amateur fighters, some seasoned Vet’s and a 145 lb. Super Fight Championship showdown. Despite its title, a majority of the fights didn’t make it past round one.


One of the better brawls of the night, however, went to Dundee’s Adam “The Joker” Trombley who defeated Ann Arbor’s Major Mobley by rear-naked choke in the second round. Trombley said he gained 30 pounds to qualify for the Light-Heavyweight bout. “I had to beef up a lot before this fight, he’s a big dude,” Trombley said. On the other hand, Mobley said he had to lose weight to get in the cage with Trombley. Most of the fight took place on the ground, as both fighters seemed to be evenly matched with their judo techniques. Seconds before the end of the first round, however, both fighters were back on their feet, where Trombley quickly took advantage, knocking Mobley back to the ground with an uppercut to the chin. After being saved by the bell, the disorientated Mobley tapped out at 32 seconds into the second round. After the fight, Trombley said, “It just goes to show that size doesn’t matter. It’s what’s inside your heart that counts”.

The Main Event also failed to make it past the first round, after Dom “The Dominator” Sindone took Joe “Goosezilla” Schilt out with several punches to the head as Referee Daron Cruickshank halted the contest at almost 2 minutes into the first round. Sindone took home the Featherweight Super Fight Title with a technical knockout victory.

The second installment of the MCL Friday Night Fights will be on April 22 at the Diamond Park Center in Lincoln Park. For more information, contact promoter Jake Short at (313) 433-2814.


Michigan Combat League: Round One


Friday March 11, 2011


Diamond Park Center Lincoln Park, MI.


Official Results

Jordan Dusseau (4-0) def. Brandon Branch (0-4) via submission (rear naked choke) - Round 1, 2:14

Dylan Fanslaw (1-0) def. Antonio “Fatty” Spears (2-1) via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:33

Andrew Davenport (1-0) def. Derek Carter (0-2) via technical knockout (ref. stoppage) – Round 2, 1:11

Chris Beretta (1-0) def. Anthony Sajdak (0-1) via submission (tapout due to strikes) – Round 1, 1:43

Alex Bunwick (1-0) def. Joe Hysell (0-1) via technical knockout (ref. stoppage) – Round 1, 2:44

Mike Sindone (5-2) def. Nate Long (6-5) via technical knockout (ref. stoppage) – Round 1, 0:32

Justin Walls (5-5) def. Russell Campbell (7-7) via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02

Tommy McGarey (1-0) def. Tyler Telegeners (2-5) via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 0:56

Adam Trombley (28-7) def. Major Mobley (2-1) via submission (rear -naked choke) – Round 2, 0:42

Andrew Banas (3-0) def. Tyler Pitock (9-7-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)


Featherweight Super Fight Championship – Main Event

Dom Sindone (14-3) def. Joe Schilt (0-3) via technical knockout (ref. stoppage) – Round 1, 1:59





Written by: Andrew Thurlow

Genesis FC: Unstoppable

Title bouts highlight the night at Genesis FC: Unstoppable


Gibraltar Trade Center in Mt. Clemens, Michigan was the site for exciting amateur mixed martial arts action as Josh Lawrence and Shotgun Entertainment presented Genesis FC: Unstoppable Saturday night. Former King of the Cage Light-Heavyweight Champ, UFC and Pride veteran James Lee and Bully Beatdown Season One fighter Ben Lagman were on hand as the special guest referees. The capacity crowd on hand received more than their money's worth as the card featured 16 bouts, 7 of which were title fights.

The main event of the evening saw Shamir Garcia putting his Light-Heavyweight Championship on the line against Rob Durham. Garcia was solid throughout the contest appearing to win the first two rounds decisively before Durham could not answer the bell for Round 3 due to what appeared to be a hand or wrist injury. In the Middleweight Title match, Champion Kris Lusch of the vaunted H8 Squad faced off with Vision MMA’s Muhammad Abdullah. Hungry for the belt, “The Hurricane” was aggressive and able to stop Lusch via TKO in the second round. Fellow H8 Squad teammate Billy Ward and top contender Drew Morais battled for the vacant Welterweight Title. Morais secured the victory and the Championship with a second round rear-naked choke.

Bantamweight champion Joel Chapman dominated in his title defense over Jerry Peace with a quick rear-naked choke victory in the first round. After the contest, Chapman announced he plans to go Professional soon and pursue a title run at the next level. In a 135 lb. Super Fight Title bout, Brandon Sturgis claimed the crown with his second round triangle against DJ Lane.

Rich Williams was successful in defeating Sonny Ibrahim via guillotine in Round 3, thus claiming the vacant Featherweight crown. The Lightweight Title was vacant as well after former title holder Theo Toney advanced to the professional ranks. Mark Christiansen used a second round triangle to force Rick Morais to tapout and is now the 155 lb. Champion. The victory earned Christiansen Submission of the Night honors and both fighter's got the much deserved Fight of the Night award for their efforts.

The undercard offered just as much action and entertainment. In what was the hands down the Knockout of the Night, Jesse McCorkle landed a vicious punch that left Markus Wheeler unconscious for several minutes after an explosive start by both fighters. Not to be overlooked is the knockout of Brian Bonnici at the hands of Kory Kuppe. It took only 15 seconds for referee James Lee to step in and call a halt to the contest. Moments after the stoppage, Bonnici was unaware the fight was over as he raised his fists and proceeded to move towards a celebrating Kuppe. Lee had to repeat several times to Bonnici that he had been KO'd before the realization as a disappointed acceptance over came the fighter.

Lightweight Tim Jenny and bantamweight Eric Ramirez secured first round submissions in their respective bouts. Sean Dunn came back from the brink of defeat as he scored a come from behind TKO victory over James Holloway in the third round. Fedel Oliverez and Donnie Larimie also won by technical knockouts while Jason Favell used a second round triangle submission to defeat a game Andrew Crushon. Super-Heavyweight Leroy Johnson earned the nights only decision. Back and forth battles and closely contested fights were consistent throughout the night. This show was a great example of how local MMA can produce action-packed entertainment and a fan-friendly atmosphere. The paid attendance for the show was 1,726. The next Genisis FC show has been set for Saturday May 21, 2011 at the same venue.


Genesis FC: Unstoppable


Saturday March 12, 2011


Gibraltar Trade Center Mt. Clemens, MI.


Complete Results:

Champ Shamir Garcia def. Rob Durham via TKO – Round 2 (injury), retains LHW Title

Muhammad Abdullha def. Champ Kris Lusch via TKO – Round 2 (wins Middleweight Title)

Drew Morais def. Billy Ward via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2 (claims vacant Welterweight Title)

Rich Williams def. Sonny Ibrahim via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2 (claims vacant Featherweight Title)

Champ Joel Chapman def. Jerry Peace via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1 (retains Bantamweight Title)

Mark Christiansen def. Rick Morais via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2 (claims vacant Lightweight Title)

Brandon Sturgis def. D.J. Lane via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2 (135 lb. Super Fight Champion)

Donnie Laramie def. Antonio Moreno via TKO – Round 1, 0:58

Tim Jenny def. Jacob Berghuis via submission (forearm choke) – Round 1

Eric Ramirez def. Mark Hassmiller via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1

Kory Kruppe def. Brian Bonnici via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:15

Jason Favell def. Andrew Crushon via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2

Jesse McCorkle def. Markus Wheeler via knockout (punch) – Round 1

Leroy Johnson def. Eddie Oworoetop via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Sean Dunn def. James Holloway via TKO – Round 3

Fedel Oliverez def. Kasiss Faraj via TKO – Round 1


Fight Night Awards

Submission of the Night: Mark Christiansen

Knockout of the Night: Jesse McCorkle

Fight of the Night: Mark Christiansen vs. Rick Morais



Kory Kuppe kicking Brian Bonnici in a 170 lb. contender bout.

Brandon Sturgis ( left ) taking a shot from DJ Lane in the 135 lb. Superfight Title bout.

Rick Morais (left) slugging it out with Mark Christionsen in the 155 lb. Lightweight Title fight.

Sonny Ibarhim kicking Rich Williams in the face during the 145 lb. Featherweight Title fight.

Mark Wheeler (left) trading leather with Jesse McCorkle in a 145 lb. Featherweight contender bout.

Muhammad Abdullah (left) dishing out leather to Kris Lusch in the 185 lb. Middleweight Title bout.

The ever so lovely Genesis FC Ring Girls (from left to right) Lauren, Hera and Brittany.


Written by: Brandon New


Brandon can be contacted at Brandonnew28@yahoo.com

Pictures provided by Genisis FC via Mr. Todd Samson.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

WXC 27: Flawless

Lingg and Dihle earn upset victories, Abdullah raises eyebrows again.


It was a night of surprises and upsets at the Gibraltar Trade Center last Saturday night as Warrior Extreme Cagefighting presented WXC 27: Flawless. Kyle Lingg traveled all the way from Dayton, Ohio to face Carleton’s Deven Brown in a match that would grant the winner the Lightweight title. Both entered their bout without a blemish on their records. One had to leave with the stain of defeat before the night was over. The two battled for fewer than two rounds and put on an excellent display of grappling all over the cage. Lingg used an outstanding ground attack to control Brown as the two traded many submission attempts in round one. In the second, Brown slammed Lingg hard to the ground to starts things off. But it was only a matter of time before Lingg reversed the position and took Browns back. He was able to lock up the fight ending rear-naked choke at 1:07 of the second round.

Lingg proved to be as classy as they come when he said, ”Deven Brown is the toughest fighter I have ever fought. There is no shame in being 10-1. Hold your head up high and you’ll come back stronger.”

Alpena’s Katie Dihle met Flint’s Tasha Moore to see who would take home the Women’s Welterweight title. It ended up being a knock down drag em’ out war when it was all said and done between the two. Moore took round one with a lot ground and pound with various submission attempts mixed in. Dihle stormed back in the second with her ground game taking over as she was able to gain mount at one point and had back control as the round closed out. Round three was all heart for both as Dihle chose to keep the fight standing and slipped and jabbed her way to victory. Moore proved that she is as game as they come and raised her opponent’s hand after the official results were announced. WXC Vice President Norbert Pasztor and Matchmaker Michael Pedenelli awarded Dihle and Moore the Fight of the Night award after the event.

The Middleweight title was on the line as Highland Park’s Muhammad Abdullah fought Brantford, Ontario, Canada’s Adam Hie. Abdullah shined once again as he knocked out Hie with a flying knee in the second round. It was almost a stand up clinic as he landed high kick after high kick on Hie who never had an answer for the attack. The second round started off with the clinch and Abdullah pushed Hie to the cage. Just as Hie decided to change levels and go for a takedown, Abdullah launched himself straight into air and caught Hie flush on the chin with his knee. That was all she wrote as Muhammad Abdullah won the WXC Middleweight title for the second time in highlight reel fashion and earned Knockout of the Night in the process.

Detroit’s Jesse Bazzi earned the vacant Flyweight title when he tapped out Wyandotte’s Michael Jordan via guillotine choke. It only took about a minute as Bazzi quickly forced the fight to the ground and wrapped up the submission victory.

Rounding out the Title bouts was Roseville’s Rob Taylor against Monroe’s Gene Romanowski. It was all Taylor as his opponent just couldn’t find any answers to Taylor’s seasoned game. Taylor retained his Heavyweight title via technical knockout as Referee Danny McIntyre saved Romanowski at 1:09 of Round 3.

The second Fight of the Night went to Carleton’s Tyler Pitock and Monroe’s Joshua Wilkinson. The two put on a great show that saw Pitock getting his hands raised in victory when he defeat Wilkinson by TKO in the third round. Pitock could find himself in a fight against the Middleweight Champion Abdullah at a future WXC event.

Next up for Warrior Extreme Cagefighting will be WXC 28: Evolution from Skateland West located in Westland at 37550 Cherry Hill Rd. on Saturday March 19th.

WXC 27: Flawless


Saturday February 26th, 2011


Gibraltar Trade Center Taylor, MI.

Official Results

Justin Price def. Hunter Snodgrass via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Brad Wire def. Chris Richardson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:17

Nate Tigney def. Jose De La Cruz via verbal submission (punches) – Round 2, 2:08

Shaun Kealo def. Russell Campbell via submission (head scissor choke) – Round 1, 1:22

Dustin Diehl def. Antonio Gonzalez via TKO (arm injury) – unable to continue after Round 2

Darryol Humprey def. Chayn Pool via verbal submission (punches) – Round 1, 0:54

Brad Hinderer def. Jibril Showers via TKO (ref stoppage) – Round 1, 2:20

Drew LaFord def. Corey Green via spilt decision (29-28, 29-28 and 28-29)

Eric Burress def. William Frost via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)

Greg Sizemore def. Michael McIntosh via TKO (ref stoppage) – Round 1, 0:39

Kyle Stevens def. Tray Suthers via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:09

Tyler Pitock def. Joshua Wilkinson via TKO (ref stoppage) – Round 3, 1:31

Jesse Bazzi def. Michael Jordan via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:07 (wins WXC Flyweight Title)

Muhammad Abdullah def. Adam Hie via knockout (flying knee) – Round 2, 0:41 (wins WXC Middleweight Title)

Rob Taylor def. Gene Romanowski via TKO (ref stoppage) – Round 3, 1:09 (retains WXC Heavyweight Title)

Katie Dihle def. Tasha Moore via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 and 29-28) wins WXC Women’s Welterweight Title

Kyle Lingg def. Deven Brown via submission (rear0naked choke) – Round 2, 1:07 (wins WXC Lightweight Title)

Fight Night Awards

Fight of the Night #1 – Katie Dihle vs. Tasha Moore

Fight of the Night #2 – Tyler Pitock vs. Joshua Wilkinson

Knockout of the Night – Muhammad Abdullah

Submission of the Night – Shaun Kealo





Vision MMA Dayton, Ohio

Norbert Pasztor, Michael Pedenelli, Kyle Lingg and Jeff Pitock

The Main Event

Revgear's Katie Dihle

WXC Heavyweight Champion Rob Taylor


WXC Middleweight Champion Muhhamad Abdullah

Victory speech

Moment of Victory!

The Pitock Brothers

Pete "The Legend" Trevino Jr.

MC 2.0 Joey Russo


Team Tubbs...CEO Kevin Tubbs and Eric Burress

Deven and Debbie Brown


David Doig can be contacted at ddoig@heritage.com