Review by Greg Saks.

AFO was back Friday night at the Sheraton Braintree hotel for its 6^th event in less than a year, and a solid lineup that included many exciting up and coming fighters, plus a main event title fight for the vacant welterweight belt.

The room started filling up well before the first fight at 8:00 and promoter Pete DiLorenzo must have been happy with the turnout.  By the time the fights were underway the room was pretty full, and a big crowd in the standing-room-only section pushed up against the rows of seats.   These hotel ballroom events make for great venues, with everyone able to get a great view of the action, yet still enough space to fit a solid crowd.

Most of the bouts (11 of 13) were amateur fights.  This was a little unusual, but there were no shinguards and most of them were just as good as pro fights except for the shorter rounds.  AFO delivered again, and they’ve got a bunch of young fighters who looked great in victory and should be brought back.

On to the fights…

ANTHONY CARMENATTI vs GRAEME PRUE (Amateur 3×3 Bantamweight)

Blue: Carmenatti – Doomsday – 135lbs out of Lynn, MA

Red: Prue – Boneyard – 133lbs out of Brockton, MA

Ref: Kevin

Round 1:  Prue lands a low kick, and Carmenatti returns fire with some quick strikes as they end up clinched against the cage.  Carmenatti with his back against the fence, takedown from Prue, into Carmenatti’s full butterfly.  Carmenatti looking for an armbar from the bottom but can’t get it.  Prue some decent ground and pound.  Carmenatti shows rubber guard and they end the round on the mat.  My score:  10-9 Prue.

Round 2:  Carmenatti throws a kick to Prue’s midsection which connects solidly.  Prue comes back with a straight right into a takedown, but Carmenatti sprawls and they are back up.  Back down with Carmenatti on top this time, in Prue’s guard.   Prue stands and Carmenatti launches a knee that lands somewhere on the upper body, and maybe a little bit to the head, which is not allowed.  Ref warns him and lets Prue have some time to recover.  No big deal and  they continue.    2 big low kicks from Prue, Carmenatti answers with some big punches and appears to have the more diverse striking attack.  Prue gets another big takedown.   My score: 10-9 Prue, with the takedown at the end influencing my opinion.  Very close.

Round 3:  Prue low kick, Carmenatti counters, but Prue has the better wrestling and takes it to the mat again.  Punches from Prue down to Carmenatti’s midsection.  Carmenatti keeps looking to use rubber guard but can’t get much going underneath.   Carmenatti manages to get up and lands a couple nice strikes, except he’s again taken back down and stuck there to finish the fight.  My score:  10-9 Prue.

Official result was 29-28 Carmenatti, 29-28 Prue, 30-27 Prue.   Graeme Prue wins by split decision.  Good fight.   Carmenatti probably did more damage, but it’s the classic question of how much weighting to give to takedowns and control of positioning when you score the fight.

KIN MOY vs JESSE PENNY (Amateur 3×3 Featherweight)

Blue: Moy – Extreme MMA – 142lbs out of Boston, MA

Red: Penny – Inner Circle – 140lbs out of Warwick, RI

Ref: Gary

Round 1:  Moy nice low kick to start.  Moy shoots for a takedown but Penny latches on a great guillotine attempt.  Moy is struggling to get out and he’s stuck in there for nearly a minute.  It looks bad but he must be breathing ok.  Finally Moy pops his head out and starts throwing some strikes down.   They’re back standing, Moy throws a low kick and defends a takedown attempt from Penny.  Penny clinches up against the fence, and they fall to the mat with Moy landing in full mount.  Moy takes the back, but Penny slips out and now is in Moy’s guard.  Moy mounts him again quickly and throws some big bombs down.  Huge shot lands from Moy in mount as the round ends.  My score:  10-9 Moy… awesome round.

Round 2:  Moy high kick misses, but he gets a takedown and moves right to full mount.  He is able to move wherever he wants on the ground.  Moy looks for an armbar, loses it, but gets himself right to mount again.  He’s all over Penny who is overwhelmed on the ground.  Penny turns to his stomach as Moy throws a few more strikes.  Ref steps in.

Official time was 1:17 of round 2, Kin Moy wins by TKO from strikes on the mat.

NORMAN THIBEAULT vs ADAM MATTOS (Amateur 3×3 Bantamweight)

Blue: Thibeault – 135lbs out of New York City

Red: Mattos – Schneider MMA – 135lbs out of Wareham, MA

Ref: Paul

Round 1:  Thibeault throws a kick, and they immediately start brawling like crazy.  Mattos throwing fancy spinning kicks, some landing, some missing.  Thibeault has a head lock as they are clinched up, but they are still flying all over the cage, bouncing off the fence.  Mattos gets a great hip throw down to the mat but is reversed and Thibeault is on top in guard.  Nice ground and pound and the round ends with Thibeault in control on top.  My score:  10-9 Thibeault.

Round 2:  Thibeault appears the stronger of the two and takes Mattos down.  Mattos scrambles into top position, but Thibeault reverses again and is over a turtled Mattos.  Mattos pushes up to his feet but Thibeault is still latched onto his body and controlling him.  Right at the end of the round, Thibeault lands two huge punches on the ground.  The fight might be over.  My score:  10-9 Thibeault.

Mattos does not answer for the 3^rd round.

Official time was 0:00 of round 3, Norman Thibeault wins by TKO.   These bantamweights are dynamos and this was a great, fast-paced fight.

DENNIS DEBAGGIS vs ERIK REINDEAU (Amateur 3×3 Lightweight)

Blue: Debaggis – LA Boxing – 152lbs out of North Attleboro, MA

Red: Reindeau – Inner Circle – 150lbs out of Woonsocket, RI

Ref: Kevin

Advance warning:  I got confused a couple times in this fight and might have written the names down wrong and given credit to one guy when it was the other who did the move.  I think I have most of it right, but sorry in advance if it’s messed up.

Round 1:  Reindeau double leg takedown and is in half guard.  He’s struggling to move to side control and finally gets there.  In a scramble Reindeau goes for a guillotine and its very tight.  Very tight and might be over… but Debaggis gets his head out.  He must have been almost done because he’s gagging and his mouth guard flops out.  Props for hanging in there, but no rest for the weary because Reindeau is already trying to secure a leglock.  Debaggis escapes and the last minute they spend up against the cage fighting for dominant position.   My score:  10-9 Reindeau.

Round 2:  Debaggis huge overhand right that looks like  a knockout punch.  Reindeau turns away like he might be done but hangs on and stays with it.  Wicked action standing up, what a fight.  Reindeau has Debaggis’ back while standing up and tries to get a choke while standing, but Debaggis slams him down hard and breaks free.  Debaggis on top with one hand on Reindeau’s neck, the other throwing down big punches to the head.  My score:  10-9 Debaggis.

Round 3:   Reindeau takedown into side mount.  Debaggis gets up, but Reindeau has his arms around a single leg looking to get it back down.  On to the mat Reindeau searching for an ankle lock again.   Debaggis trying to get out and his face shows that he’s in bad pain from the hold.  He sits up and starts throwing punches wherever he can as Reindeau still tries to finish the submission.  The crowd loves it.  They’re tied up in a crazy position and the ref jumps in due to Debaggis throwing an illegal elbow.  He had been warned a couple times earlier for elbow strikes and gets DQ’d.

Official time was 2:34 of Round 3, Erik Reindeau wins by disqualification due to illegal elbow strikes from Debaggis.   While it might sound bad on paper, Debaggis was probably just caught up in the moment and throwing moves that he does in the gym.  The ref’s call was correct, but it wasn’t a dirty fight and both guys show a lot of respect to each other once it ended.  Still, too bad the fight ended this way because it was potentially fight of the night… back and forth war.

MIKE SCHNEIDER vs RYAN WHITE (Amateur 3×3 Welterweight)

Blue: Schneider – Schneider MMA – 175lbs out of Wareham, MA

Red: White – SS Sportfighting – 175lbs out of Rockland, MA

Ref: Gary

Round 1:  They go right at each other.  Schneider throwing big looping punches.  Sort of out of control but effective as they catch White.  White has him clinched up.  Schneider lands a couple good punches to the body.  They break apart and Schneider winding up these huge swings.  Not very technical but he gets an A+ for aggressiveness which has White on the defensive.  White catches one on the bridge of the nose and has a small cut, but he’s weathering the storm.  White has him up against the cage again and now Schneider is showing signs of fatigue.  White takes him down and begins raining down giant punches that are landing cleanly.  Schneider turns to his side and is in big trouble, but the round ends.   My score:  10-9 White.

Schneider is TKO’d even though he survived the round and his corner signals that he’s done.

Official time was 0:00 of round 2, Ryan White wins by TKO.   A reliable source near the cage tells me that the super aggressive Schneider is deserving of the “Miniature Diekman” moniker.

TONY DAVEY vs RICH LEONARD (Amateur 3×3 Middleweight)

Blue: Davey – Doomsday – 175lbs out of Quincy, MA

Red: Leonard – 175 lbs out of North Providence, RI

Ref: Paul

Round 1:  Davey gets a takedown into mount.  Ground and pound with Leonard struggling.  More strikes, and then Davey takes his back.   Rather than a choke, he sees an opening for an armbar and goes for it, giving up dominant position.  Leonard is on his knees fighting off the armbar and finally gets out.  Now Leonard is on top with Davey’s head locked up.  No sub attempt but he’s got Davey smothered for the last minute.  My score:  10-9 Davey.

Round 2:  Davey nice right hook and then scores a takedown.  Leonard is in turtle position, and Davey looks for an armbar again.  Leonard slides out and into Davey’s guard.  Sweep from Davey and now he’s on top.  The rest of the round is Davey controlling position, landing small strikes from half guard here and there.  My score:  10-9 Davey.

Round 3:  Kick-punch combination lands from Davey, and he’s hurting Leonard.  Leonard’s wrestling is solid, though, and he gets a takedown.  On the ground Davey is the better grappler and quickly reverses position and has full mount.  Leonard turns to escape and now Davey has his back.  Davey gets his arm under for an RNC and Leonard taps.

Official time was 1:08 of round 3, Tony Davey wins by rear naked choke submission.

BRITTNEY CABRAL vs KOREENA GOSLIN (Amateur 3×2 Flyweight)

Blue: Cabral – 119lbs out of Fall River, MA

Red: Goslin – LA Boxing – 116lbs out of Taunton, MA

Ref: Kevin

Round 1:  Brittney moves right in to attack and they open up with a wild exchange.  Goslin looks a little surprised by Cabral’s aggressiveness, but she clinches up, and quickly plants Cabral on the mat, landing in full mount.  Goslin unleashes a gigantic flurry of punches and Cabral is getting blasted.   Ref steps in to save her.  The crowd liked this one.

Official time is 0:15 of round 1, Koreena Goslin wins by TKO due to strikes.  Koreena looked great here in picking up the dominating win.

JOSEPH LEONARD vs JAMES MALVESTI (Amateur 3×3 Lightweight)

Blue: Leonard – 156lbs out of North Providence, RI

Red: Malvesti – SS Sportfighting – 155lbs out of Quincy, MA

Ref: Gary

Round 1:  Malvesti barrels in for a takedown and is in Leonad’s full guard against the cage.  Malvesti pulls back, stands, and dives back in to try and pass the guard, but doesn’t quite get there.  Leonard gets up but is pushed back down onto his back.  Malvesti in half guard and finally gets to side mount.  He’s working for a crucifix-like position with Leonard’s arm pushed down though not tied up under his legs.  Malvesti lands some strikes and is able to transition to full mount as the round expires.  My score:  10-9 Malvesti.

Round 2:  Malvesti launches a high kick that is partially blocked by Leonard.  Malvesti clinches up and slides around to behind Leonard while still on the feet.  Malvesti simultaneously wraps an arm around for a choke and pulls Leonard to the ground.  Leonard in trouble and has to tap.

Official time was 0:31 of round 2, James Malvesti wins by rear naked choke submission.  Malvesti looked very impressive here.

ZACK LYBON vs JOSH ARANSKY (Amateur 3×3 Light Heavyweight)

Blue: Lybon – Schneider MMA – 196lbs out of Wareham, MA

Red: Aransky – USMMA – 200lbs out of North Attleboro, MA

Ref: Kevin

Round 1:  Aransky ducks down, grabs Lybon, and slams him down hard.  Aransky looks very smooth moving to side mount.  He sits patiently for a while and then explodes to full mount.  Aransky starts throwing some small strikes, careful not to lose position, and then he just unloads 2-3 huge bombs and Lybon needs to be rescued.

Official time was 1:05 of round 1, Josh Aransky wins by TKO due to strikes from the mount.  Aransky has a solid build and looked great with his takedown and ground work.  Keep an eye on this guy.

DILLON JENNINGS vs MIKE POLVERE (Amateur 3×3 Lightweight)

Blue: Jennings – Inner Circle – 156lbs out of Attleboro, MA

Red: Polvere – SS Sportfighting – 156lbs out of Pembroke, MA

Ref: Paul

Round 1:  Jennings low kick.  Polvere gets a takedown into guard.  Jennings has long limbs and immediately has a body triangle.  Good GnP from Polvere, up against the fence.  Jennings rises up but is pulled back down.  Polvere looking for a Kimura, Jennings fights out of the hold but he’s getting smothered against the cage, and is stuck on his back most of the round.  My score:  10-9 Polvere.

Round 2:  Jennings lands a few good strikes, they clinch up, and Jennings stomps down on Polvere’s foot.  They separate and Polvere slips a punch for a big takedown into the corner of the cage.  Jennings looking for an armbar from his back, but Polvere breaks free.  The last minute of the round Polvere is in Jennings’ guard, controlling the positioning and pace of the fight.  My score:  10-9 Polvere.

Round 3:  Jennings low kick.  They exchange jabs.  Standing is where Jennings wants to be, but he’s not landing with enough power to change the course of the fight before he gets taken down again.  Another big shoot and successful takedown for Polvere.  Body triangle again for Jennings.  Polvere manages to get to side control.  Not much action, but Polvere controls the round again as Jennings tries everything he can to escape being on his back.  My score:  10-9 Polvere.

Official result is Mike Polvere wins by unanimous decision, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27.

NICK KOSSIVAS vs ED LOWELL (Amateur 3×3 Middleweight)

Blue: Kossivas – Doomsday – 180lbs out of Lynn, MA

Red: Lowell – LA Boxing – 183lbs out of Boston, MA

Ref: Kevin

Ed Lowell’s last fight was an 0:08 monster KO and I’ve been looking forward to seeing him in action again.

Round 1:  Kossivas moves in for a takedown but Lowell has a superb sprawl.  Lowell is agile for his size.  Lowell wastes no time moving from the sprawl around to take Kossivas’ back to go for a rear naked choke.  Could he finish back to back fights in under 20 seconds?  No… Kossivas isn’t going away that easy and fights the choke off.  In a scramble, Kossivas looks for a leg lock but can’t secure it and they’re back up standing.  Good punch from Kossivas.   Lowell takedown into side control.  Kossivas trying to pull him back into half guard but can’t quite get there, and the last minute is a struggle for position.  My score:  10-9 Lowell.

Round 2:  Low kick from Lowell, and then each guy throws his own flashy high kick but they both miss.  Kossivas attacks with a superman punch that doesn’t connect, and he immediately grabs his right arm as if something is wrong, but continues to fight.  Lowell gets a takedown, takes the back, and gets a quick RNC victory.    Kossivas might have dislocated his shoulder throwing a punch.

Official time is 0:39 of round 2, Ed Lowell wins by rear naked choke submission.  Kossivas clearly hurt himself which led to the quick finish.  As for Ed Lowell, this is two impressive fights in a row.

FRANKLIN ISABEL vs JEFF MOORE (Pro 3×5 Featherweight)

Blue: Isabel – Doomsday – 146lbs out of Chelsea, MA

Red: Moore – SS Sportfighting – 146lbs out of Weymouth, MA

Ref: Gary

This could be a good one, these guys both look ready and focused.

Round 1:  Isabel lands a low kick, and Moore shoots and gets a takedown into Isabel’s guard.  Moore is active looking to throw down punches, but Isabel is also constantly moving from his back.  With perfect timing, Isabel throws his legs up for an armbar and has it on tight.  Moore stands up to his feet to try and pull out, but his arm is extended straight downward as Isabel looks to finish.  Moore is stuck and has to tap.

Official time is 1:00 of round 1, Franklin Isabel wins by armbar submission.  Great win, Franklin never looked phased and was completely comfortable on his back.

MAURICE McNEIL vs PADDY THOMPSON (Pro 5×5 Welterweight Title Fight)

Blue: McNeil – Craig Dunn Martial Arts – 170lbs out of Dorchester, MA

Red: Thompson – SS Sportfighting – 170lbs out of Pembroke, MA

Ref: Kevin

The crowd is definitely in Paddy’s corner.  The place is going pretty nuts and McNeil eats it up and plays to the crowd.  Solid atmosphere for a title fight.

Round 1:  Thompson looping punch, McNeil returns with a strike of his own.  Thompson shoots in for a takedown and gets it, landing in side control.  McNeil quickly gets back to half guard from his back, and then to full guard, very slick.  Struggle for position on the mat, and McNeil reverses Thompson and now is on top in his guard.   McNeil decides to stand, but Thompson wastes no time taking him down again.  Thompson working in half-guard with McNeil pushed up against the fence.  McNeil not taking any damage, but the crowd is loving it as Thompson imposes his will.   Not much action for a couple minutes,  a few small punches get in from Thompson on top.  His wrestling is good and McNeil is stuck.  My score:  10-9 Thompson.

Round 2:  Thompson quick takedown to half guard.  McNeil good defense from his back and he again regains full guard.  McNeil tries to push Thompson off and get out, but Thompson never lets go and keeps pressing forward, smothering McNeil.  Big right punch comes down and nails McNeil.   McNeil seems ok and finally scrambles out and to his feet.   Thompson is still down and McNeil peppers his legs with a couple kicks before the ref lets him stand up to continue the action.   McNeil winds up and swings for the fences with his first punch, but Thompson sees it coming and slips in for an immediate takedown.  Thompson from half guard begins working to control McNeil’s wrist and set up an arm triangle.  Thompson is still a little stuck in half guard, but he’s setting up the choke perfectly and McNeil is in deep trouble.  Nowhere to go and that’s it.

Official time is 4:24 of round 2, Paddy Thompson wins by arm triangle choke submission.  He takes the vacant AFO welterweight belt, and a lot of the crowd is cheering “Thunder Kitten”.  At least that’s what it sounds like.   Exciting fight.  Wrestling made the big difference as Thompson was able to bring it to the mat whenever he wanted.

NEXT SHOW:

They announced that AFO would be back for their 2^nd annual day before Thanksgiving show, tied in with a good charitable cause of providing meals for needy families.