Sindone wins the Michigan Combat League Bantamweight Title at Round 2

On Friday night in Lincoln Park, Dom Sindone and Derrick Mandell showed the crowd at the Diamond Park Hall exactly why the lighter weight fighters can be just as if not more exciting than their heavier weight colleagues. The two waged a war of attrition over five rounds for the Michigan Combat League Bantamweight Title. Sindone, who hails from Flat Rock, became the first MCL 135lb. Champion as he used his outstanding boxing skills mixed with a solid ground game throughout the match to continuously score points and earned the Unanimous Decision victory. Mandell, of Dearborn Heights, had previously defeated Sindone over a year ago, falls to 5-1. In doing so, he gained much respect for going toe to toe with Sindone whose record now stands at an impressive 16-3.

The fight earned the duo one of two Fight of the Award’s given on the night by Promoter Jacob Short of Allen Park. The first, third and fifth round’s were edge-of-your-seat exciting and deserve to be mentioned. The crowd of over 500 people saw a great bout that featured excellent boxing, lighting fast takedowns and thunderous kicks combined with a furious pace that left everyone in the building standing by the end. Mandell tried his best to keep Sindone on the mat with his vaunted wrestling and ground & pound style to earn his chance at victory but Sindone kept reversing the tide. Closing it out by leaving Mandell stacked against the cage defending a hail of strikes as the final horn sounded.

The Co-Main Event featured Warren’s Tommy McGarey versus Detroit’s Mickey Marsack. McGarey set himself up for a possible shot at the MCL Lightweight Title as he put on supreme ground clinic and submitted Marsack with a flashy reverse heel hook. Just when Marsack was able to transition out of a bad position, he elected to stay on the ground and went for a heel hook of his own. McGarey showed his Jiu-Jitsu was simply on another level and as he picked up the Submission of the Night victory.

If Leroy Johnson could’ve earned another award to go along with his Knockout of the Night award, it would have to be the Most Humble Fighter Award. Johnson, of Dearborn Heights, respectfully thanked all his trainers, friends, family and opponent Jon Green (a veteran of over 20 fights) in such a grand way after winning their Heavyweight match up that the crowd gave him a standing ovation. It was true display on how a Fighter should act in the moment of victory or defeat. Johnson showed a great stand up game and stifling ground control. He remains undefeated at 4-0.

The second Fight of the Night award went to Monroe’s Haley Green and Canton’s Kara Bishop. The fight was a barn burner on the feet with little action taking place on the mat. Both started to fade as the third round progressed but hung in there tough still throwing leather as time winded down. Green won the bout via Split Decision as Judges TJ Corwin and Lee Trombley gave her the nod as Judge Eric Moon saw it for Bishop.

In a bout that that could have also made the Fight Night Awards list. Flat Rock’s Tom Grisham and Dearborn Height’s Drew Morias waged an epic three round battle that saw Grisham earning a Unaniomus Decision. Grisham took the first round and third rounds while two out of three judges gave Morias the second round. It was precise showcase on what it takes to be a well rounded Mixed Martial Artist.

Monroe’s Mike Sindone ran his record to 7-2 after defeating Toledo’s Antonio Gonzales in their Bantamweight match up. It was all Sindone from start to finish as he got the TKO victory via strikes at 1:48 of Round 2. Carleton's Derek Carter also won via TKO when he stopped New Boston's Jason Heath at 1:00 of Round 1.

Justin Wall, Tommy Mandell and AJ Hall, all from the Greater Dearborn area won their bouts via Technical Knockout.

Short is planning on holding the next Michigan Combat League event sometime in June.

Michigan Combat League: Round 2 – Quick Results

Date: April 22, 2011

Location: Lincoln Park, MI.

Venue: Diamond Park Center at the Robert H. Jones Knights of Columbus

• Dom Sindone def. Derrick Mandell via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 50-45) wins MCL Bantamweight Title

• Tommy Mcgarey def. Mickey Marsack via submission (reverse heel hook) – Round 2, 1:57

• Leroy Johnson def. Jon Green via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 0:40

• Mike Sindone def. Antonio Gonzales via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:48

• Justin White def. Meech Graham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Tom Grisham def. Drew Morias via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

• Dustin Duvall def. Dennie Ramage via verbal submission (strikes) – Round 2. 1:22

• Haley Green def. Kara Bishop via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

• Kyle Lata def. Miguel Garcia via TKO (ref stoppage) – Round 3, 2:20

• AJ Hall def. Russell Campbell via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:32

• Mike Ayotte def. Onis Baydoom via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Brandon Branch def. Austin Sims via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, :35

• Dylan Fanslaw def. Andy Dana via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:10

• Derek Carter def. Jason Heath via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:00

• John Stupyra def. Alex Bonwick via Doctor Stoppage (unable to continue) – Round 1, 3:00

• Justin Walls def. Christopher Berta via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:05

• Tommy Mandell def. Christopher Berta via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:54


Fight Night Awards

Fight of the Night #1: Dom Sindone vs. Derrick Mandell

Fight of the Night #2: Haley Green vs. Kara Bishop

Submission of the Night: Tommy McGarey

Knockout of the Night: Leroy Johnson






Jacob Short and Dom Sindone after the Main Event.

 

Mr. Sindone, Dom Sindone and Derek Carter.



3 Belts and counting...



The first Michigan Combat League Bantamweight Champion

Sindone, Danny McIntyre and Mandell awaiting the Judges score cards.

The Thrill of Victory

A moment alone after five rounds

Sindone vs. Mandell II



Greasey Fast Lightning



Daron Cruickshank overseeing Graham vs. White

Grisham vs. Morias

Lee and Stephanie Trombley

 Picture taken by: David Doig - Holy Smokes MMA