Chris Harris vs. Daniel Bryan (185 lbs.)

RD1:  Harris throws two right hands in a row, Bryan then clinches and throws Harris to the ground, taking his back. Harris gets back up, but is immediately taken down again. After getting back up, Harris eats a series of punches and is taken down, where Bryan looks to work punches from within the guard. Bryan transitions to Harris’ back and starts to work for a Rear Naked Choke, getting a body triangle to help the submission’s effectiveness. Harris is gamely trying to fend off the submission attempts by continually rolling from side to side, but he is unable to get out of the body triangle. Bryan continues to work for the Rear Naked Choke but the round ends.

RD2: Bryan nails Harris with two punches, and then shoots in for a takedown against the cage. Harris gamely reverses and briefly holds top position, but Bryan handily gets back up. Bryan throws a series of punches and successfully gets another takedown against the cage. Harris attempts a Guillotine choke, but it is quite hard to achieve since Bryan is in side control. Bryan then transitions to a high side mount and is trying to work short elbows but is essentially just holding position at this point. The round ends with Bryan holding onto a headlock of sorts and throwing a few punches.

RD3: Harris lands a front kick to the body of Bryan, but the ref briefly stops the round because Harris forgot to put in his mouthpiece. When the fight resumes, Harris is throwing bombs, but Bryan catches him with some hard punches and drops him. The ref is paying close attention and stops the fight after Harris continues to eat punches while grounded. Harris briefly attempts to protest the stoppage, but it definitely seemed like a timely one.

Daniel Bryan wins by TKO (Referee Stoppage due to Strikes) at 0:46 in the third round.

Tyus Thomas vs. Christian Maultrie   (185 lbs.)

RD1:  Thomas pumps a jab, but eats a few punches from Maultrie, and is then taken down. Thomas is taken down again, and immediately has his back taken. Maultrie works for a Rear Naked Choke, but Thomas is able to get back up. Thomas is looking to strike, but is repeatedly on the wrong end of the striking exchanges. Thomas pushes Maultrie against the cage and is looking to work for knees and a takedown, but Maultrie is effectively neutralizing his attempts. Maultrie then throws Thomas to the ground and looks for strikes, but Thomas reverses and gets on top. Thomas throws a few short punches from with Guard and shucks off an Armbar attempt as the round ends.

RD2: Thomas lands a jab to the face of Maultrie, and then lands a successful body kick. Thomas gets the better of a punching exchange and presses Maultrie up against the cage, and is then reversed and pressed up against the cage himself. Maultrie briefly loses his mouthpiece, but the ref deftly gives it back to him while the fighters are in the clinch. Maultrie then takes Thomas down, where Thomas attempts to hold onto a Guillotine of sorts from side control, but Maultrie then Mounts him and begins to throw bombs from the Mount. Thomas is attempting to shrimp out and improve his position, but Maultrie keeps him pinned to the ground until the round ends.

RD3: Thomas lands a high kick, and then backs Maultrie up against the cage and knees him in the stomach. Thomas then backs Maultrie up again and lights him up with another series of punches, knees, and a kick to the head. Maultrie then executes a hip toss and almost immediately achieves Mount. Despite his position, Maultrie seems hesitant to rain down strikes, and Thomas does a great job of gaining wrist control and mitigating the potential damage. Thomas then sweeps Maultrie with nothing but brute force and ends up on top in Guard. Maultrie looks tired, and the round ends with Thomas raining down elbows and punches on Maultrie. Despite the gameness that was shown, it may have been too little too late for Thomas to change the outcome of the fight.

Christian Maultrie wins by Unanimous Decision with all scores at 29-28.

Charles Hayes  vs. Jere Amidei Jr (145 lbs.)

The fight was delayed when UFC fighter and referee Tom Lawlor told Amidei that his shorts were not ok to use, as they were Nike basketball shorts with pockets, as opposed to any type of shorts meant for combat sports. After an unsuccessful search for an appropriate pair of shorts, the other ref taped Amidei’s pockets up and the fight was able to commence.

RD1:  Hayes lands a quick 1-2, then Amidei attempts a takedown from long distance. Hayes attempts a standing Guillotine, but Amidei gets out. After another takedown attempt, Hayes ends up on the bottom while Amidei looks to be working for a submission. Amidei locks in a Rear Naked Choke and forces the tap. Apparently the tape on his pockets did him some good and sent some positive vibes his way.

Jere Amidei wins by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:19 in the first round.

Easton Scarbrough vs. Kyle Myrie  (185 lbs.)

Scarbrough seems to be rocking a “Hairrow” style of chest hair, a la Brian Ebersole. Style points for Scarbrough, major style points.

RD1: Scarbrough feints for a punch and immediately gets a takedown and ends up in side control. Scarbrough is clearly the superior wrestler, as Myrie doesn’t seem to be trying to improve his position at all. Scarbrough lands a barrage of punches and hard elbows to the body of Myrie, and is repeatedly attempting to transition to mount. Scarbrough looks to lock up some sort of head-arm choke from side control, but instead just continues to throw short but hard strikes to the body of Myrie. The round ends with Scarbrough on top with his knee on Myrie’s belly.

RD2: Myrie looks for some pawing jabs, but is almost immediately taken down again. Scarbrough gets side control and looks to throw short strikes. Scarbrough locks up Myrie’s arm in a crucifix position and starts throwing punches with an increasing frequency. Myrie is unable to get out and improve his position, and is also unable to protect himself, forcing referee Tom Lawlor to call a TKO stoppage due to Myrie’s inability to defend himself in such a position.

Great usage of the Crucifix position by Scarbrough, Roy Nelson would be proud.

Easton Scarbrough wins by TKO (Referee Stoppage due to strikes) at 1:03 in the second round.

JT Stewart vs. James Hicks (155  lbs.)

RD1: Both guys immediately start throwing punches at a rapid pace, with Hicks getting a trip takedown from the body lock. Hicks lands in his guard, working a few strikes before they both stand back up. Stewart misses with a head kick and Hicks gets a takedown, landing in Mount, where he begins to try and rain down punches. Hicks is then swept by Stewart, who seems to be content to just stay in Guard and throw short strikes, and Hicks seems unable to improve his position on the bottom. The round ends with Hicks throwing punches from the bottom.

RD2: Stewart lands a body kick, but is then essentially taken down by a Guillotine attempt from Hicks. Stewart immediately gets out and transitions to Mount, where he throws some punches and elbows and then unsuccessfully tries for a Rear Naked Choke. Hicks then ends up on top in guard, then immediately transitions to half guard, where Stewart holds him close. Hicks attempts to take Stewart’s back, but Stewart scoots out and ends up on top in half guard against the cage. Both fighters seem to be stuck in position with no clear option to improve their position.

RD3: Hicks immediately lands a 1-2 flush, and ends up on top after a loose takedown attempt from Stewart. Hicks begins to rain down punches and elbows until Stewart manages to get a hold of him. Hicks continues to work short strikes, many of which are landing hard and flush to the face of Stewart. Stewart seems unable to do anything more than just take the strikes, and Hicks does not relent in his strikes, no matter how powerful or short they may be. Stewart attempts to hold onto Hicks’ body, but is pushed back down and starts eating more punches to the face with very little defense given as the round comes to a close.

Unanimous Decision victory for JT Stewart, who despite taking a hard beating in the third round, clearly won the other two rounds.

Richard Thacker vs. Nic Nicholas (165 lbs.)

RD1: Nicholas lands a series of hard right hands that drop Thacker and have his arms stiff as he hits the canvas. Nicholas steps away and begins to celebrate, as Thacker gets back up to the ground and staggers in the opposite direction towards the cage. The referee mercifully stepped in and stopped the fight, as Thacker clearly had no idea where he was at that time.

Nic Nicholas won by KO at the 0:11 mark of the first round.

Roy Smith vs. Randy Gibson (165 lbs.)

Major style points for Gibson, who walked out to “In Constant Sorrow” from the movie, Oh Brother Where Art Thou.

RD1: Smith touched gloves and immediately and cheaply shot for a takedown, showing poor taste. After a brief scramble and Armbar attempt, Gibson swept him. Gibson went for a Triangle choke, but Smith slammed him and eventually got out and moved into side control, where he looked for short strikes. Despite the shots seemingly lacking much power, they were enough to force a TKO stoppage by referee Tom Lawlor, since Gibson was not mounting any form of defense or improving his position.

Roy Smith wins by TKO (Referee Stoppage due to Strikes) at 1:38 in the first round.

John McNaughton vs. Jason Harris (155 lbs.)

Serious style points for John McNaughton, who walked out to a classic 90’s R&B song, “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison. It seems that the fighters from Total Victory MMA are definitely approaching their walk-ins with a fine sense of panache, which is nice to see for once in an age of goofily dyed hair, cliché tattoos, and even more cliché entrance songs.

RD1: Harris lands a leg kick but then eats a punch, prompting him to shoot for a takedown. McNaughton presses him up against the cage and is working knees to the body, and then trips him to the ground and gets on top in Half Guard. McNaughton lands a few short punches to the body of Harris while he is looking to advance his position. McNaughton postures up and lands a series of hard right hands to the body of Harris. McNaughton seems to be looking to isolate one of Harris’ arms, but gives it up and continues to throw strikes from Half Guard. Round ends with McNaughton on top.

RD2: Harris misses with a kick, and then clinches up with McNaughton, where he is then tripped in the clinch and taken down. McNaughton lands on top in Half Guard, and is held in place by Harris. Taking sound advice from his corner, McNaughton postures up and resumes his ground and pound, landing a particularly thunderous elbow to the head of Harris. McNaughton continues to remain on top and smother Harris, until Harris reverses with about 15 seconds left in the round. Harris lands a few strikes before the bell rings, but McNaughton solidly won that round for sure.

RD3: McNaughton misses with a kick, and Harris quickly moves in with a flurry of punches that are all too shortly aimed. Harris attempts a long- range bull-rush takedown of sorts, but it’s easily shucked off. McNaughton nails Harris with a knee strike to the body and knocks him down, where he pounces on Harris and lands a flurry of hard strikes that eventually forces referee Tom Lawlor to call an end to the action.

John MacNaughton wins by TKO (Referee Stoppage due to Strikes) at 1:02 in the third round.

Ashley Smallwood vs. Jasmyn Arnold (145 lbs.)

RD1: Smallwood pumps a jab, and then gets a solid Muay Thai clinch and begins to work some great knees to the body. Smallwood then gets a leg and drags her opponent to the ground, where she then postures up and starts to throw punches. Arnold then slaps on a Triangle Choke and is trying hard to finish it, but Smallwood is doing a good job of fending off the sub attempts, including a subsequent Armbar attempt, and then eventually gets up. Smallwood then closes the distance and essentially bull rushes her opponent to the ground, but Arnold quickly returns to her feet. The round ends with both fighters standing up in the clinch.

RD2: Arnold misses with a kick, and Smallwood pounces on her and throws a series of hard punches and a knee to the body. Arnold rushes her and gets into the clinch against the cage, but Smallwood is doing a solid job of negating any real offense on the part of Arnold, and sneaks in a knee to the body before the separate. Arnold misses with a kick and Smallwood catches it and takes her to the ground.  Arnold looks to isolate Smallwood’s arms and then sweeps her and takes her back. Arnold is working for a Rear Naked Choke, but Smallwood seems to be fending it off. Arnold is working hard to finish the choke, but the round ends and Smallwood was quite possibly saved by the bell.

RD3: Smallwood pumps a jab from long distance, and then wings two hard punches that land to the face of her opponent. Arnold darts in for a flurry, but Smallwood then counters with strikes of her own. As Smallwood comes in for a strike, Arnold lands a spinning backfist flush to the face of her opponent, and the strike drops Smallwood briefly. Smallwood gets back up and barely avoids a subsequent spinning back kick. Smallwood then ends up clinched against the cage and jumps onto Arnold’s back, looking for a Rear Naked Choke. Smallwood postures up and throws punches from back mount, with Arnold eventually getting out and going for a takedown against the cage as the round ends.

Ashley Smallwood wins by Unanimous Decision (29-28 scores by all Judges). Smallwood collapses to the ground in elation, as she maybe wasn’t expecting the win after such a hard last round.

Joey Patterson vs. Melvin Terry  (165 lbs.)

RD1:  Patterson misses with a kick, but clips his opponent with a punch and drops Terry. Patterson immediately begins looking for a Rear Naked Choke, but Terry rolls and defends and Patterson ends up in Mount, then Half Guard, looking to land strikes. Terry is trying to keep Patterson held in close, but is otherwise not being very active. Patterson briefly looks for a head-arm choke from within the Guard, but lets go. Patterson then scoots Terry up against the cage, but is throwing strikes sparingly until the last 10 seconds of the round. The round ends with a flurry of punches from Patterson.

RD2: Patterson slips a few strikes from Terry and lands a few very effective counter punches that wobble his opponent. Patterson then takes the opportunity to pick his opponent up and slam him to the ground. Although Patterson lands in a brief Guillotine Choke attempt, he immediately gets out and tries to posture up to land strikes. Terry tries for a Triangle Choke, but Patterson eventually just gets up. Patterson pulls a kick at the last moment as Terry is getting up; as you cannot kick a grounded opponent in the head, as such a thing is usually illegal and generally frowned upon. Patterson then takes Terry down yet again up against the cage and finishes him with a quick flurry of punches on the ground.

Joey Patterson wins by TKO (Referee Stoppage due to Strikes) at 2:28 in the second round.

Donnie Orr vs. Patt Rice  (145 lbs.)

Rice missed weight by 14 pounds, as he weighed in at 159 lbs. The fight is therefore technically a catch-weight fight. On a side note, Donnie Orr walked out to a very solid metal song, which should send some positive and manly vibes his way.

RD1: Orr misses with a kick to the body, and after a brief striking exchange, they end up against the cage. Orr literally rag dolls Rice to the ground several times, finally hip tossing him to the ground and immediately moving into mount. Orr postures up and begins to throw strikes, but Rice is doing a decent job of protecting himself. Orr then really begins to open up on Rice with a rapid flurry of punches, forcing referee Tom Lawlor to declare an end to the fight with a TKO stoppage.

Donnie Orr wins by Submission (Strikes) at 1:59 in the first round.

Todd Welle vs. Avron Williams (155 lbs.)

After Todd Welle walked out to the cage, a scuffle that evolved into a brawl erupted between a group of spectators and the club’s security personnel. This brawl, and the ones that subsequently followed, severely marred what was otherwise a fine event with some entertaining fights. It is a sad reality that some people are so insufferably stupid that they cannot simply show up and have a good time while watching actual fighters do their job in the cage. An MMA event is supposed to be safe and family friendly, as there were children and older people who came to watch their friends and family members fight, and some of them were almost run over during all of the ruckus. All of the aforementioned idiots who thought it a good idea to start and/or participate in fights outside the cage should be ashamed of themselves, as they are an embarrassment to themselves, the sport, and humanity in general. Just because you have had a few light beers or mixed drinks does not make you a fighter or a badass if you decide to get aggressive and start a fight at an MMA show, it just makes you a gigantic ignoramus. For future reference, it is my fervent hope that all of the aforementioned folks with such suspect intelligence remain at home, sit on their couch, and remember to keep their helmets on.

Avron Williams decided he didn’t want to proceed to the cage fight when he walked out to the cage and saw the brawl that was taking place, a brawl that was also blocking his path. Given the circumstances, I cannot really blame him or his corner for exercising their judgment that their surroundings were unsafe at the present time.  Consequently, referee Tom Lawlor waved off the fight before it even began. After all of the effort that both fighters assuredly put into their training for the fight, both fighters were denied their chance at competition by a raggedy assortment of prize idiots.

Championship Fights

Marcus Levester vs. Ronnell “Rock” White (125 lbs. Championship)

RD1: White counters with a hard kick to the body. Levester gets a quick takedown, but White reverses and gets Levester pressed up against the cage. Levester goes for a Guillotine, but White appears to be defending, as he has Levester pressed up against the cage, not allowing much space, and eventually pops his head out. White then postures up and starts looking to land strikes, but Levester is doing a decent job of keeping tight and locking White’s arms up. Levester throws up a Triangle choke attempt, but White is punching whilst in the Triangle, showing great gameness, eventually posturing up and lessening the chokes effectiveness. The round ends with White postured up within a loose Triangle choke attempt, throwing hard punches.

RD2: White pumps a double jab to gauge distance. White kicks a bit low and stops, but his opponent signals that he is fine and to continue the fight. White then gets a takedown, but is eventually kicked up. White misses with a high kick and falls to the ground, with Levester closely following him to the ground with some punches, but White scrambles and gets on top in Guard.  White is staying close on top, with Levester gamely throwing elbows from the bottom. White starts to pass Levester’s Guard, but Levester grabs onto his arm and starts to go for a Kimura from the bottom. White gets through it and passes to Half Guard, where he stays tight and works short strikes and elbows. Levester then sweeps White and starts looking for a Rear Naked Choke, but White is doggedly defending it. Levester lands a glancing elbow to the back of White’s head right before the round ends. This leaves White’s coach Rick McCoy incensed and the referee deducts a point from Levester for the illegal blow. Levester respectfully apologizes to White before the round begins.

RD3: Both fighters shake hands at the start of the round. Levester lands a solid

right hook, but White counters well with a shot of his own. Levester lands another solid series of strikes to the face of White, but White again counters well. Levester misses with a high kick, and White throws a 3-punch combination, chasing him in return. Levester lands a possible low knee to White, who falls down and is grimacing in pain. After a few moments pass, White gets up and starts trying to shake it off and recover. White signals he is ready to continue and the fight resumes. Levester immediately shoots for a takedown and gets it. After posturing up, Levester then uses an esoteric guard pass to end up on White’s back, looking for a Rear Naked Choke and then a Straight Armbar for a brief moment. White eventually gets up and pushes Levester against the cage, taking him down with a sweeping double leg takedown. White is staying tight against Levester. White then gets up and hits Levester with a knee to the body and locks on a Guillotine Choke, holding onto it tightly until the round ends.

Ronnell White wins by Majority Decision, becoming the new Downtown Ground And Pound Flyweight Champion.

Daniel Leake (Champion) vs. Hakim M Bey (135 lbs. Championship)

RD1: Leake throws a kick, but it is checked. Bey attempts to counter but ends up just shooting for a takedown, landing in Guard. Leake almost immediately slaps on a Guillotine, but Bey pops out and is exploding into back side-mount, hitting Leake with several hard knees to the body. Leake gets up and both fighters start exchanging punches again. Leake lands a hard right hand, but Bey clinches up with him against the cage and takes him down, landing in side control, then transitioning to back mount. Leake then sweeps and gets on top in half guard, landing a few short elbows. Leake then transitions into Mount and starts to rain down punches and elbows, and goes for a Rear Naked Choke. Bey deftly gets out and ends up on top in Leake’s guard. After throwing a few strikes, referee Tom Lawlor takes a point from Bey for striking Leake in the eyes. Leake is sent to a neutral corner to get a chance to recover.  After taking a few minutes, the fight resumes. Leake throws some punches that miss, and Bey counters with a few hard kicks to the body. Bey presses Leake up against the cage, but both fighters separate and resume their respective striking attempts. The round ends with Bey landing several hard punches to the now bloodied face of Leake.

RD2: The fighters meet in the middle to touch gloves, but then Bey signals that he forgot his mouthpiece, causing a brief pause while his corner gets it to him. Bey misses with a kick and Leake lands a 1-2 combination, then a leg kick. Leake throws a spinning back fist that glances Bey, then follows up with punches that seem to briefly wobble Bey. Bey looks to throw some hard right hands, but Leake avoids them and looks to counter, eating a punch in the process. Leake then lands a hard shot to the head of Bey and pounces on him, but Bey weathers the storm and returns fire. Wildly coming in close, Leake ends up on the ground with Bey one top, with Bey landing several hard strikes to the head of Leake. Bey gets in

to Mount, but Leake is holding him tight, thus limiting the effectiveness and power of Bey’s strikes. Bey remains on top in Mount, but Leake gets back into Guard. Leake tries to scramble out, but Bey grabs a hold of him and lands a few elbows and kicks to Leake’s buttocks as the round comes to a close.

RD3: Both fighters touch gloves; but Bey immediately punches Leake in the face mere milliseconds after the glove touch, showing a seeming lack of good form and respect, which I would hope was just a brain-fart on Bey’s part. Bey then pounces on Leake, throwing a flurry of punches. Both fighters end up on the ground after a scramble, with Leake on top of Bey looking for a submission or a better position. After both fighters were in a strange low version of the North/South position, they eventually rolled out with Bey landing on top of Leake in Guard. Bey throws some punches and elbows, but both fighters seem tired and they are eventually stood up by referee Tom Lawlor. Leake throws and connects with a hard couple of punches that prompt Bey to clinch and close the distance. Bey gets Leake down to the ground and ends up on top as the round ends.

Hakim Bey wins by Majority Decision to become the new Downtown Ground And Pound Bantamweight Champion.

“Badass” Bubba Williams vs. Anthony Tisdale (155 lbs. Championship)

RD1: Tisdale lands a snapping leg kick, which prompts Williams to go for a takedown. After a few reversals from each fighter, Williams ends up on top in Tisdale’s guard. Williams is staying tight in Tisdale’s guard, eventually standing back up and clinching up with Tisdale. Williams seems to be trying to get a single leg ankle pick, but ends up falling short and is grounded in a vulnerable position as a result, and Tisdale responds to said position by belting Williams with punches to the body. Both fighters eventually get up, with Williams throwing a few knees in the clinch. Tisdale then craftily takes advantage of the position to trip Williams to the ground, but both fighters soon return to their feet. Williams and Tisdale start to throw punches in the pocket, and then Tisdale takes Williams to the ground again. Tisdale ends up taking Williams’ back and starts working for a Rear Naked Choke. Williams ends up tapping to the Rear Naked Choke with about 1-2 seconds left in the round.

Anthony Tisdale wins by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:58 in the first round to become the new Downtown Ground and Pound Lightweight Champion.

Carter Kraus vs. John Calloway (Heavyweight Championship)

RD1: Calloway and Kraus meet in the middle of the cage and start throwing hard punches. Kraus and Calloway clinch up against the cage and are pushing each other back and forth. Kraus eventually takes Calloway down and seems to attempt some sort of arm lock, but lets go. Calloway starts to be on the receiving end of some knees to the body from Kraus. Kraus begins working for and eventually gets the Submission win with a Straight Armbar.

Carter Kraus wins via Submission (Straight Armbar) at 2:42 in the first round to become the new Downtown Ground and Pound Heavyweight Champion.