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.