HOLLI HEARNE’S NO LIMIT FIGHTING “REDEMPTION” POST-FIGHT REPORT AND EDWIN DEWEES INTERVIEW

Posted on | April 28, 2008 | 1 Comment

Dewees Takes HW Belt at No Limit’s Redemption in Houston

By: Holli Yargo Hearne
Photography: Joseph Martin

Saturday night was all right for fighting at the Arena Theater in Houston, TX. No Limit Fighting brought the action with their Redemption card featuring a main event with Heavyweight champion Richard Blake defending his belt against UFC veteran and Lion’s Den AZ fighter Edwin “Bam Bam” Dewees.

The battles began with Eric Jacob taking on C.J. Albrecht. Unfortunately, for Albrecht, it was not his night to shine. Jacob, who lost his last No Limit fight, took the W about 4 minutes into the first round by TKO referee stoppage due to strikes.

Houston’s own Jose Santibanez defeated Lion’s Den AZ fighter Joe Vigil by TKO but the Den rallied when Jeff Newbrough took down Joe Crawford, blasting elbows for a TKO just 1:23 into the first round. The victory earned Newbrough the win and a hearty hug from a very proud Edwin Dewees.

The house was less than entertained when two very amateur and ridiculous-looking local rappers entered the cage and were immediately boo’d. One of the performers demanded the music be stopped and began a tirade of f-bombs at the unwelcoming crowd. Shannon Ritch, the fight announcer, wrestled the mics out of both young men’s hands, sending them on their way. Being a pro-fighter himself, the two did not put up much of a fight. As they left the cage, the crowd finally gave them the applause they had hoped for.

The first of two title fights pitted reigning middleweight champion Marcus Gaines against Cedric Marks. This was without doubt the most brutal of all the night’s fights. Marks opened the first round catching Gaines off guard with an unexpected spray of kicks and punches. Gaines was able to tie his opponent up in a clinch, punishing him with Muay Thai kicks, one finally landing audibly in Marks’ athletic cup. The referee missed the illegal strike, as Marks was able to complete the round before showing obvious signs of pain.

Gaines attempted a superman punch to start round two but missed. Marks managed to take down the champ despite a punishment of knees to his thighs. Gaines returned to his feet only to be brought down again with Marks on top in half-guard. By the end of the round, Marks was still showing evidence of groin pain, welcoming the short break.

Early in the three spot, Marks drops to his knees, wincing and holding his groin. The referee called a time-out, acknowledging another groin strike. The doctor on hand checked out the fighter, also taking a look at his badly bleeding nose. After determining Marks was OK to continue, the match resumed with Gaines delivering a head kick but getting rocked by a punch. Seeing Gaines hit the ground, Marks pounced with rapid-fire ground and pound but was stymied when Gaines escaped, throwing another very audible kick to the groin. As Marks lay on the floor, groaning in pain, Ritch knelt beside him to let him know the fight had been stopped and he had won by disqualification. Marks did not appear to even acknowledge the announcer’s presence.

As the official announcement was made, the crowd boo’d disrespectfully as the new champion was awarded his belt. Marks took the mic to inform the crowd he wasn’t happy with such a bittersweet win either and would welcome a rematch.

Houstonian vs. Houstonian took to the mat in the co-main event with welterweights Josh “The Assassin” Lee and Alex “The Superman” Cisne. While the last fight was the most brutal, this was easily one of the most exciting. Both men came out swinging for the fences with Cisne achieving the first takedown. The Superman quickly passed guard, setting up for a triangle choke, transitioning to an armbar. Lee escaped but couldn’t return to his feet. Cisne caught The Assassin in a solid kimura and was rewarded with a tap out. Cisne took the win by submission just 2:34 into the first round.

Last, but certainly not least, the night’s main event: Richard Blake defending his heavyweight title from Edwin Dewees. While the bout was short, it certainly delivered. Dewees softened his opponent with myriad leg kicks before getting the takedown. Blake reversed but left an arm open, giving Dewees an armbar. Blake stood up, slamming Dewees to the mat several times in an attempt to shake the Den fighter loose but Dewees rolled to his belly, sinking the submission deeper. Blake tapped just 1:27 into the first.

Dewees said later he expected to win but joked that the round went about 40 seconds longer than he had planned.

In addition to great fights, the house was also treated to guest appearances by UFC veterans Yves Edwards, a resident of The Woodlands, TX and Sam Hoger, who is running the Miletich Fighting Systems gym in Houston, TX.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO HOLLI HEARNE’S INTERVIEW OF EDWIN “Bam Bam” Dewees.

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