RYAN CHRISTENSEN’S ST. PATTY’S DAY SHOWDOWN REPORT
Posted on | March 23, 2007 | 1 Comment
Greensparks Fighting Championship – St. Patty’s Day Showdown
As everyone pops some Tylenol and reflects on the bits and pieces they remember about St. Patrick’s Day, I sit here preparing to recap one of the better events in recent memory. I know some in attendance will only remember part of the night so I’ll try to jog everyone’s memory with the fight recaps and some tidbits from the night itself. Before digging into things, I’d like to throw out a huge thank you to Greensparks and mainly Brian Green as he’s the one that was very flexible and accessible for our coverage despite being a very hectic weekend for us all.
(also check out the upcoming blog on my personal myspace for a few more controversial thoughts on the night and events leading up to it)
Upon arriving at the venue, I was immediately reminded of the many events held at 7 Flags. Hy Vee Hall was a very interesting venue as its seating arrangement doesn’t allow for any elevated viewing. I was fearful of a very volatile night due to viewing obstruction caused by people not remaining in their seats. Luckily, the event staff was very proactive in keeping this from happening and for the most part, everyone was able to enjoy the best view possible in that set up.
Usually I’d continue with more thoughts on the atmosphere, but I’m sure you all know what the atmosphere for big fights on St Patty’s Day would be… so onto the results!!!
Bout 1
Adam Kaster vs Luis Gomez
Round 1: Gomez took the early momentum in the round with a few punching combinations capped off with a strong leg kick. Kaster was forced into the cage and headlocks Gomez. The fight moved to the ground as Kaster kept clinging to a headlock. Gomez escapes the headlock to backmount and begins to ground and pound in an effort to end the fight. Kaster hangs on and Gomez attempts a rear naked choke. Kaster fights off the RNC so Gomez begins to throw punches again. The round comes to an end as Gomez keeps moving from choke attempts to GNP.
10-9 Gomez
Round 2: Kaster comes out swinging with wild, looping punches. Gomez asserts himself with more accurate combinations again backing Kaster into the cage. Kaster grabs a guillotine as Gomez works for a takedown. Gomez secure the takedown and escapes the guillotine attempt to full mount. Gomez again works his GNP as Kaster just tries to hold on. Kaster is able to regain guard and neutralizes Gomez as the round concludes. 10-9 Gomez
Round 3: Gomez connects with some good leg and mid kicks. Kaster attempts to trade and is taken down. Gomez attempts to work in Kaster’s guard. The fight is stood up for stalling.Gomez attempts another takedown. Kaster connects with a few hard looping punches as Gomez attempts another takedown to close out the fight. 10-9 Gomez
Unofficial: 30-27 Gomez
Official: 30-27 Gomez (Unanimous Decision)
Bout 2
Matt Rivera vs Dennis Hyden
Round 1: Hyden comes out and initiates some trading of strikes. The fighters exchange a few shots. Rivera connects with a hard right high kick. Hyden is hurt by the kick and Rivera responds with a big flurry earning the ref stoppage.
Winner:
Rivera via TKO (strikes)
Bout 3
Jordan Gustafson vs David Mally
Round 1: Mally starts the fight immediately shooting for a takedown. Gustafson stuff the shot attempt and connects with some knees. Mally shoots again and secures the takedown. Gustafson reverses to mount and stands up. Mally again shoots and Gustafson secures a guillotine. Mally finishes the takedown but is still in the guillotine. Mally attempts to escape but is forced to tap.
Winner:
Gustafson via Submission (guillotine) 0:45 Rd 1
Bout 4
Dustin Bachman vs Chad Lyons
Round 1: The fighters trade standing and end up clinching against the cage. Lyons works for a double as Bachman works a guillotine. Lyons secures the takedown. Bachman reverses into Lyons’ guard. The fight is stood up for lack of action. Lyons immediately clinches and secures another takedown to end the round. 10-9 Lyons
Round 2: Lyons comes out with a solid knee and follows with a punch combination. Bachman counters with a hard right hand and takes Lyons down. Lyons reverses to Bachman’s half guard. Lyons begins connecting with short elbows and earns a stoppage from his GNP.
Winner:
Lyons via TKO (GNP) 0:26 Rd 2
Bout 5
Nate Woods vs Dan Popiano
Round 1: Popiano begins the fight throwing some punch combinations. Woods shoots and slams Popiano into guard. Woods attempts some strikes. Popiano escapes to his feet. Woods again takes Popiano down. Popiano escapes again. Woods finishes the round with some looping punches.
10-9 Woods
Round 2: Woods shoots for a takedown and is met with a knee. The fighters trade and Woods clinches and secures a trip. Woods attempts some short punches. Popiano then gets and arm and secures a tight armbar from the bottom for the win.
Winner:
Popiano via Submission (armbar) 1:25 Rd 2
Bout 6
John Sankey vs Doug Onstot
Round 1: The fighters trade very briefly before Onstot secures a takedown to side control. Onstot begins working a guillotine while cradling Sankey’s leg. Sankey taps quickly and the fight is over.
Winner:
Onstot via Submission (guillotine) 0:38 Rd 1
Bout 7
Mike VanMeer vs Brian Zanders
Round 1: Zanders is the aggressor and connects with a solid combination sending Van Meer into the cage. Van Meer connects with some leg kicks and continues to just wait for opportunities to counterpunch. Zanders throws more punch combinations. Van Meer connects with a hard left. Zanders closes the round with a strong flurry.
10-9 Zanders
Round 2: Van Meer again connects with some leg kicks. The fighters trade and Van Meer connects with a huge right that rocks Zanders. Van Meer then throws a flurry of strikes to end the fight but Zanders recovers. Zanders throws more combos but is visibly hurt. Van Meer throws more punches and Zanders verbally submits due to an eye injury.
Winner:
Van Meer via Verbal Submission (injury) 1:08 Rd 2
Bout 8
Chris Mickle vs Matt Cook
Round 1: Cook comes out throwing some solid punches and knees. The fight goes to the ground as Mickle works to take Cook’s back. Mickle succeeds and works for a rear naked choke. Cook tries to fight it off but eventually taps.
Winner:
Mickle via Submission (RNC) 0:32 Rd 1
Bout 9
Jeremy Stephens vs Vern Jefferson
Round 1: Stephens comes out the aggressor backing Jefferson into the cage with strikes. Jefferson then pulls guard. Stephens attempts to GNP but Jefferson catches him in an armbar. Stephens remains patient and eventually works out to a point where both fighters have achilles holds. Stephens then works and takes Jefferson’s back. Stephens attempts some GNP and stands up to connect with a huge kick to the body. Jefferson then rolls to his back and Stephens continues to strike from his feet and also drop down for GNP. This continues until Stephens connects with some huge punches that lead to the ref stopping the fight.
Winner:
Stephens via TKO (GNP)
Bout 10
Josh Neer vs Mark Gearhart
Round 1: The fighters circle until Neer connects with some shots and Gearhart covers up against the cage. Neer connects with some knees and hard body punches. Gearhart goes down as Neer flurries until the ref step in.
Winner:
Neer via TKO (strikes) 0:20 Rd 1
Bout 11
Middleweight Championship
Cory Simpson vs Jaxon Mayson
Round 1: Both fighters come out throwing huge punches. They continue to swing for the fences as Mason secures a takedown. Mason throwing hard punches from mount. Simpson is eventually able to escape to his feet. On the feet, both fighters are again throwing knockout punches. Simpson is able to secure a takedown and works his GNP. Mason is able to connect with a few shots from the bottom. Simpson with more GNP. Mason is able to reverse postition and begins reigning down GNP of his own. He continues to throw as the ref steps in the stop the fight.
Winner and MW Champ:
Mason via TKO (GNP) 4:53 Rd 1
There you have it. An exciting night of fights put on by a very classy promotion. We saw everything from exciting submission to huge strikes. I recommend catching the next Greensparks show if you missed this one.
Random Thoughts:
Jeremy Stephens continues to impress. I can’t stress enough how special of a talent this kid is. He is on a whole different level now.
Chris Mickle is showing why he is the only person that has really tested Jeremy Stephens to this point. He has a huge heart and is a monster on the mat.
Josh Neer proved again why he got his shot at the big time. The guy is unreal!
Both Cory Simpson and Jaxon Mason show alot of intensity and heart. If you missed their fight, think of Griffin vs Bonner. These guys need a third installment as this fight was as close as can be.
Well, thats about all I have on this very tiring Sunday morning. I hope you enjoyed the recap. As always, let me know what you think. I welcome all ideas for improvement, concerns, praise, threats, etc. Also, in a shameless self promotion, I’ll be looking to compete in the next few months. If you are reading this and have a card in which you’d like to have me compete in my first fight in over 4 years, let me know.
Thanks!
Ryan Christensen
MidwestMMA@gmail.com