Video: ESPN presents Garrett's Fight
March 25, 2013
From ESPN "Despite the fact that he has Down Syndrome, 23-year-old Garrett Holeve has used mixed martial arts to find himself and become an MMA fighter." The inspirational yet controversial story of Garrett Holeve's preparation for his amateur mixed martial arts debut in the state of Florida is chronicled in a 13 minute video by ESPN. Holeve's story pulls at the heartstrings and once again raises the broader question of amateur MMA regulation as it attempts to police a sport that is still growing and adapting to its athletes.
Who should fight? Who shouldn't fight? Regardless of the answer, Garrett Holeve's hard work and training out of Florida' American Top Team gym is a story that needs to be told. For more information about Holeve's story visit www.garrettsfight.org
Video: Welterweight prospect Dhiego Lima moves to 8-1 with TKO win at Wild Bill's FN 53
March 6, 2013
After multiple opponents changes welterweight prospect Dhiego Lima (8-1) was finally able to step in the cage for the main event of Wild Bill's Fight Night 53. From Duluth, Georgia Lima was eventually matched up with Southern MMA veteran Roger Carroll in a 172 pound catch-weight bout. The 30 year old Carroll came into the fight already 2-0 in 2013, while for Lima it was his first fight in seven months.
Lima popped Carroll on the feet with a steady dose of quicker punching strikes. After an accumulation of punishment Lima was able to halt a Carroll takedown scramble to mount before several punches landed unblocked. The referee in the cage halted the fight at the 3:06 point of round three with Lima declared the inner via TKO.
January 30, 2013
By Ryan Gibson
Three months after the first edition of the ULTMMA.com Southern top 25 professional and amateur rankings were released you will see a spur of movement between 50 of the best MMA athletes south of the Mason-Dixon line. To close out 2012 and kick-start 2013 Southern MMA promotional stalwarts the XFC, CFA and Fight Lab all held events. With a handful of Southern MMA pros close to being called up to the big leagues and nearly a dozen top amateurs ready to be paid, 2013 is shaping up to be a banner year for MMA in the South.
Some notes-
*Rather than pure prospect rankings the professional pound for pound top 25 takes into account a fighter's overall fight resume as well as his potential to be called up to the big show
*Fighters currently signed to exclusive contracts with the UFC, Bellator or Strikeforce were not eligible for the regional rankings
*This is the second edition of the Southern top 25 pro and ammy pound for pound rankings. Expect updated and adjusted rankings sometime in the spring of 2013.
Brothers Roger and Joseph Carroll capture dramatic comeback wins at Fight Lab 30 in North Carolina
January 28, 2013
By Ryan Gibson
On a blistery cold night in Charlotte, North Carolina, Fight Lab promotions put on an event brought some heat to local mixed martial arts community. With an ice storm looming over the Carolinas, the only thing icy inside of Silver Hammer Studios was the blood in the 22 fighters veins. Fight Lab has been a staple in the Carolina MMA scene for a while now, and the 30th installment was one of the best to date. Sporting eight amateur bouts and three pro bouts. Fight Lab 30 showcased some of the best up-and-coming fighters the Carolinas had to offer.
In the main event renegade fighting systems welterweight, Roger Carroll (11-8) took on Drew Kennedy (5-1) in a three round war. Carroll displayed a tremendous amount of power in the first round by lifting Kennedy up and carrying him across the cage for a powerful rampage slam. Kennedy showed great submission defense by stuffing all of Carroll submissions to close out the first round. The second round started off the same for Roger Carroll with great takedowns and tight submission attempts, but Kennedy stuffed every offensive attempt.
Flyweight prospect Josh Sampo chokes out Alexis Vila in round five, moves to 9-2 at CFA 9
January 24, 2013
CFA 9 Night of Champions results
Coral Gables, FL
Luiz Firmino def. Luis Palomino by Unanimous Decision
*Josh Sampo def. Alexis Vila by Submission Guillotine Choke 2:26 R5
Marcelo Alfaya def. Valdir Araujo by KO (Punch) 0:25 R1
*Sean Soriano def. Victor Delgado by Unanimous Decision
*Elvin Leon Brito def. *Patrick Cenoble by Unanimous Decision
Pablo Alfonso def. Shah Bobonis by Submission Rear Naked Choke 3:24 R1
Yosdenis Cedeno def. Ryan DeRocher by TKO (Head Kick and Punches) 0:37 R2
Mike King def. Billy Garris by Submission (Punches) 2:05 R1
Socrates Pierre def. Michael Lilly by Submission Anaconda Choke 3:52 R2
Charles Rosa def. Jayson Jones by TKO (Punches) 3:52 R1
*Trent McCown def. Michael Trujillo by Submission Guillotine Choke 1:01 R1
Shaun Dillon def. Jose Caceres by DQ (Illegal Knee to Grounded Opponent) 4:56 R2
Jean Bellefleur def. Carlos Rodriguez by Unanimous Decision
Gleidson DeJesus def. Luis Hernandez by Unanimous Decision
*Prospect to watch
January 9, 2013
Goodwin signs Bellator contract after win
By Ryan Gibson
Located at the center of South Carolina lies Columbia, this city is more than just the state capital. Some have called it a city of champions. Home to the infamous MMA team the Murder Squad. This squad is comprised of some of the Southeast's best fighters, showed up at the Carolina Cage Fights 1 with a vengeance. The event sported 10 bouts (two pro, nine amateur and one female).
The Murder Squad had a member in five of those bouts including, Adrien Henderson (6-2 am) in the amateur heavyweight championship bout and professional 135er Tim Goodwin (7-3) in the main event. Goodwin had a lot on the line in the final bout. If he won the number 25 ranked pound for pound pro, would get a spot on the Bellator 89 card on February 14 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
December 8, 2012
XFC 21 Night of Champions 2 results
Nashville, TN
*Nick Newell def. Eric Reynolds via submission rear naked choke 1:22 R1
Ryan Thomas def. Corey Hill via submission armbar 2:34 R1
*Stephanie Eggink def. Heather Clark via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Marcus Finch def. Dustin West via knockout (strikes) 0:46 R1
Ricky Rainey def. Donny Wallace via TKO (punches) 1:42 R1
Jarrod Card def. Keith Richardson via submission guillotine choke 0:24 R2
Gerric Hayes def. Jason Blackford via TKO (knee and punches) 2:56 R2
Tommy Roberts def. Josh Phelps via TKO (punches) 3:07 R1
Jorge Medina def. D.J. Sidthilaw-Browning via submission rear naked choke 2:36 R3
Cromwell Stewart def. Zachary Hicks via split decision
*Prospect to watch
Kevin Forant moves to 5-0, amateur champion Tony Tan remains unbeaten at Fight Lab 29
November 21, 2012
By Ryan Gibson
On a chilly November night in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina Fight Lab 29 heated up the night. Fight Lab promoters Michael Allen and Kenny Letts booked their end of the year card as one for the record books and gave Allen's signature saying "somebody's going to get punched in the eye" complete validity. The card featured nine amateur fights, four pro fights, and the crowning of the number one amateur in the ULTMMA.com South region pound for pound list.
The main event featured XFC fighter Kevin Forant (5-0) and Michael Robinson (2-2). Many felt this three round war wouldn't phase the XFC veteran, who in three weeks' time will face the number 12 ranked fighter in the ULTMMA.com South region pound for pound pros list, Jason Hicks (5-0).Forant came out in the first round like a caged lion, jumping on top of Robinson with a vicious barrage of ground and pound. The calm and collected Robinson showed his experience by staving off for Forant's blitzkrieg and going on the offensive with multiple arm bar attempts.
November 16, 2012
By Ryan Gibson & ULTMMA Staff
With a lot research and hustle ULTMMA.com proudly brings to you the first in a series of regional professional and amateur top 25 rankings. First on the docket is the United States South region. Home to the American Top Team gym and a bundle of states with burgeoning MMA scenes, the South has made great strides over the past three years in terms of local promotions and fighters taking their talents to the big leagues.
Some notes-
*Rather than pure prospect rankings the professional pound for pound top 25 takes into account a fighter's overall fight resume as well as his potential to be called up to the big show
*Fighters currently signed to exclusive contracts with the UFC, Bellator or Strikeforce were not eligible for the regional rankings
*This is the pilot edition of the Southern top 25 pro and ammy pound for pound. Expect updated and adjusted rankings sometime in the first quarter of 2013.
November 7, 2012
Left in the wake of former Executive Director of the Commission Andy Foster's move to the same position in the state of California is a tattered local combat sports scene in Georgia. Following Foster's departure in October to clean up the fractured CSAC, the state of Georgia and its Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp dragged their feet on hiring a permanent replacement. Longtime Georgia Secretary of State official Steve Lindsey was appointed the temporary replacement but was immediately met with backlash from the state's promoters, gym owners and fighters.
The crux of the problem in Georgia hits the local fight scene hard as the state athletic commission has said that they will not approve any more fights past December 31, 2012. In Foster's final duties as acting Executive Director he looked over and approved the matchmaking for the state's remaining 2012 combat sports cards.
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