Cage Fight 2 @ Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa. on Friday, Nov 27.
provided by Derek Constable

SCRANTON, Pa. — Promoting an event isn’t easy and booking more than a dozen fights with same day weigh-ins for the night after Thanksgiving is no picnic either, but holiday aside Cage Fight 2 drew quite a crowd to the Lackawanna College Center on Nov. 27. It was an amateur heavy fightcard with nine amateur fights to only four pros, but the quality of the professionals made up for some lopsided matchups early in the evening. Former Untamed Champion Spencer Paige picked up his second win in a row since taking more than a year off, heavyweight Randy Smith picked up a standing TKO win for his eighth consecutive victory and Jim Hettes remained undefeated with a first round submission by heel hook as he became only the second fighter to defeat Justin Haas.

AMATEURS

Kevin Myirski (Rat Pack) v Gary Peters (Gracie NEPA)

Round 1: Peters get a takedown, but Myirski jumps guard. Peters gets his head out the choke and postures up, dropping heavy straight left hands, but Myirski gets a bulldog choke on him to slow down the punishment. Peters pops his head out once again, hooks the head and begins working to pass his guard. He then chooses to stand up and drop fists rather than attempt side or mount. (Peters 10-9)

Round 2: Myirski lands a jab and a hard knee, takes the fight to the ground but loses position right away. Peters is back on top in guard much like Round 1. He postures up for a punch and moves to side. He begins circling his opponent until he gains his back and attempts a rear nakes choke. The round ends with Peters dishing out some body blows after taking his opponents back. (Peters 10–9)

Round 3: Myriski throws two leg kicks and tries to keep it standing, but Peters rushes him again and brings the fight to the floor where he won the previous two rounds. Peters stand over him and tries to pass, but the ref intervenes and returns the fighters to their feet. Peters earns another takedown as soon as the ref signals to start and dominates the remainder of the round with his ground game. (Peters 10-9)

Winner: Gary Peters by unanimous decision 30-27.

James Rodriguez (CNY MMA) v. Rich Gates (Gracie NEPA)

Round 1: To start off… Rodriguez is built like former TUF fighter Corey Hill and stands about 6-foot-6, 170 pounds while his opponent looks like an 18-year-old skateboarder with a Urijah Faber haircut and an obvious wrestling backround… that being said, Rodriguez tries to utilize his reach in a striking war but is continuously taken down by the shorter, younger fighter across the cage.

Rodrgiuez can’t get out from under Gates but avoids giftwrapping any submissions for him. It looks like Gates is working on a kimura as the round closes, but with the cameraman in my way it’s a little hard to tell. The bell sounds and Gates wins the round hands down. (Gates 10-9)

Round 2: Gates throws a high kick, but just to make his opponent think this will be a striking war. He follows up with another sound takedown and in no time, he postures up in Rodriguez’ guard while working to pass and put an end to this one. Gates leaves himself open for a triangle but Rodriguez misses the opening and continues to fight off Gates’ submission attempts as time expires. (Gates 10-9)

Round 3: Nice slam by Gates to start the third. He utilizes a double leg takedown to drop Rodriguez flat on his back and moves to side control seconds later, setting up a knee to belly. Gates keeps busy with his punches but theres no headshots in amateur bouts so it’s just a one sided slugfest with Gates sitting on his chest. (Gates 10-9)

Winner: Rich Gates by unanimous decision 30-27.

Corey Cavalieri (Gracie NEPA) v. Evan Bates (Tristate MMA)

Round 1: Cav is barely five feet tall and looks to be the striker of the pair, but surprisingly spends most of his time pressuring Bates against the fence. Whether it’s in search of a takedown or to dirty box is hard to tell, but by the end of three minutes he hasn’t inflicted much pain or acheived a takedown and the round comes to a close. He does however win the round on ring presence and controlling the pace of the fight.
(Cavalieri 10-9)

R2 – Bates lands two hard shots to start the round, but can’t take Cavalieri down, in fact he gets caught in a guillotine trying to force the fight to the floor. Bates works out of the choke, takes Cavalieri’s back and in no time it’s him fighting to put an end to this thing. Cavalieri is on his back with Bates underneath him, working for a RNC, but he controls his wrists and makes it to the end of the round. (Bates 10-9)

Just as i look down to type this the ring girl trips and falls, everyone laughs… sorry I missed it.

Round Three – Bates pressures Cav against the fence, but Cav circles out and lands a high kick which he follows up with a body punch. Cav forces the takedown and tries to slap a choke on him, but after he gets on top of the scramble Bates attempts a choke and holds on until the round comes to a close. Cavalieri smiles and playfully asks the crowd for another round, but it’s clear Bates will walk away with this one. (Bates 10-9)

Winner: Evan Bates wins by unanimous decision 29-28.

Andy Beil (Rat Pack) v. Steve Wilson (Gracie NEPA)

Round 1: Beil shoots in to start off and Wilson sprawls successfully, locking his arms around Beil’s midsection. Beil gets his guard back, but they’re facing opposite directions. Wilson wiggles out before long and continues to work for dominant position until he captures his back and sinks in a rear naked choke to force a tap.

Winner: Steve Wilson by RNC 1:41 R1.

Tim Miller (CNY MMA) v. Suliaman Ismail (Gracie NEPA)

Round 1: Ismail lands a solid combination after thwarting a takedown attempt. He takes Miller down with an evil slam and lands in side control, but then gets up to let the fight progress on their feet. Miller rushes him throwing hard punches and giving it all he’s got, but Ismail turns him into the fence and lands a hard knee to set up a takedown. He follows up with a couple punches on the ground and the round ends a few moments later. (Ismail 10-9)

Round 2: Miller takes the fight to his opponent but his handspeed is significatntly slower this round. Ismail takes him down and stands back up to keep fighting again. Miller commits to a double leg takedown, but Ismail sprawls well and punishes him again with some more good punching. Ismail backs away and starts to swing for the fences. He drops Miller with a good shot but the bell rings as the ref breaks it up. The crowd boos but the fight is clearly over.

Winner: Suliaman Ismail by TKO 2:59 R2.

Guy Salano (Balance) v. Brian Hawk (Rat Pack)

Round 1: Guy Salano opens up with some haymaker, home run style swings and to his credit lands a bunch of them, but eventually Hawk gets his hands up, delivers a kick and jumps guard to bring the fight to the ground. Solano lands on top but doesn’t do much with his position and Hawk gets to see another round. (Solano 10-9)

Round 2 – Boxing again, Hawk lets Salano kind of lead him around the cage. Hawk tries for a superman punch but it doesn’t land. Solano walks him into the cage and delivers a hard shot, but Hawk recovers, turns him into the cage and uses a legsweep to take the fight to the mat. Hawks is working well in half guard while Solano looks lost on his back. Hawk circles to side and gets a kimura but then transitions to an arm bar. Solano is saved by the bell. (Hawk 10-9)

Round 3 – Hawk is throwing his jab alot but hitting air, attempts a superman punch but Solano throws a haymaker and grazes Hawk during the airborne attack. When Hawk lands, he turns around and sees Solano falling forward as he follows threw on his previous punch, so Hawks jumps on top of him and takes his back where he finishes the fight by rear naked choke.

Winner: Brian Hawk by RNC 1:09 R3.

Mike Bannon (Tristate MMA) v. Joe Fye Gracie NEPA)

Winner: Mike Bannon by unanimous decision 29-28.

Phil Parrish (CNY MMA) v. Tylver Calvey (Gracie NEPA)

Round 1: A kick is thrown by Parish, but he’s taken down. Calvey gains mount and holds on to position by throwing body shot and working to set up an armbar. Parrish covers up well and holds on for another round. (Calvey 10-9)

Round 2: Calvey fakes an overhand right and rushes across the cage to lock up for a takedown attempt. He trips Parrish but they both get up and return to their feet. Calvey earns a second takedown but can’t pass Parrish’s guard. He sets up a pass to side control with a few right handed body shots and the round ends as the fighters work themselves back to their feet. (Calvey 10-9)

Round 3: Calvey earns a takedown and in little time begins working a kimura from side mount. Parrish is pinned and Calvey passes to mount just seconds before the bell rings.
(Calvey 10-9)

Winner: Tylver Calvey by unanimous decision 30-27.

Dave Morgan (Gracie NEPA) v. Ray Eltringham (Elite Performance Combat)

Morgan has tree trunks for legs and predictably rushes right in for a killer takedown. He lifts Eltringham off the ground for a nice slam and follows up with powerful body shots whenever possible from within an open guard.

The fighters work back to their feet before long and Morgan set ups another solid takedown as he mucles Eltringham off his pivot foot with an impressive single leg takedown. Morgan lands a few more punches and the round ends with him on top. (Morgan 10-9)

Round 2: Morgan pushes his opponent against the fence with a right underhook and eventually strong arms the takedown after a left uppercut finds its home on his opponent’s chin. Morgan is in guard but completely controlling the pace and looking for a finish. Morgan takes side position and knees relentlessly to Eltringham’s left shoulder as time expires.

Round 3: Morgan takes him down again and picks up where he left off kneeing that one shoulder, trying to be as aggressive as possible in a match where you can’t strike the head on the ground. He starts to stand up but hooks a leg and picks up Eltringham again, moving the fight to the center of the cage. After a lot more ground and pound the fight ends with a clear winner. (Morgan 10-9)

Winner: Dave Morgan by unanimous decision 30-27.

Bryce Felgenhauer (LB MMA) v. Marty Flynn (Gracie NEPA)

Round 1: Felgenhauer enters the cage calm, cool and collected and gathers a win the same way… Flynn shoots in for the takedown immediately dropping to both knees and Felgenhauer slowly sets up a guillotine choke. As the two men work to their feet, Felgenhauer climbs up his body and jumps guard to finish the choke. Flynn taps out right away when the two hit the mat.

Winner: Bryce Felgenhauer by guillotine :47 R1.

PROFESSIONALS

Bobby Gorham (CNY MMA) v. Noa Quintanilla

Round 1 – They’re throwing jabs like lances and canceling out leg kicks when Gorham drops Quintanilla with a leg kick. He follows up with a single punch to the head while Quintanilla is on his hands and knees but Quintanilla stands up and the fight continues. Gorham lands another good shot, this time with his hands, but he’s pressured up against the cage and taken down. The ref stands them up and Gorham starts to pull his legs away from takedown attempts circling away from his opponents and getting some good positions for knockout punches. He gets an underhook and hip tosses Quintanilla but they both land on the ground with equal opporunity. Gorham scrambles to the top and gets in a little ground and pound but they both get back to their feet and Quintanilla ends the round with a takedown. 9-9

Round 2: Gorham is throwing left right combos while Quintanilla tries to set up a takedown throwing only rights one at a time. Gorham keeps his distance but Quintanilla backs him into the fence and fights for underhooks. He can’t quite get his opponent to fall over, so Quintanilla begins to stomp Gorham’s feet to try and set up a takedown. Gorham circles away from the cage and is taken down while backing up. Quintanilla punishes his prey with straight lefts and right hammerfists from side control before moving to mount.

A dangerous spot for Gorham, but he rolls and successfully ends up in full guard with his right arm trapped under Quintanilla’s left shoulder. He frees his hand and hits his opponent with one or two good shots, while posturing up, before returning to his feet. Gorham looks for an opening and returns to his 1,2 combinations, while throwing in the occasional leg kicks and circling left.

Gorham slows down a bit and conserves his energy but is still able to block his opponents oncoming attack. He delivers sound, right counter fists to the head of Quintanilla after every one of his failed efforts. (Gorham 10-9)

Round 3: Gorham is happy to stand and trade but Quintanilla pushes him against the cage and stomps his feet some more before taking him down with a leg sweep. He’s on top in half guard and Gorham is doing all he can to cover up and keep his opponent at bay. Quintanilla makes a move to mount but Gorham continues to lock up his arms while bucking and tryihng to escape. He finally catches a break and rolls Quintanilla to his back, then stands up and makes Quintanilla follow him to his feet.

Gorham is picking him apart with punches, but Quintanilla is in no danger of a knockout and rushes Gorham into the cage where he sets up another takedown. This time, he lands in half guard. Quintanilla postures up only to drop a few elbows to the face of Gorham, but as he keeps going the elbows become forarms and Gorham locks in a tight choke while belly to belly. He squeezes as hard as he can, but Quintanilla refuses to tap and eventually Gorham loosens his grip.

The ref puts them back on their feet to try and force a clear winner to this contest. Both men continue to stay in each other’s faces, going punch for punch, but moving in and out of striking distance as Gorham does not want to give up another takedown. Quintanilla opens a cut overtop of Gorham’s eye just a mere second before the end of the contest, the bell sounds, and both men return to their corners with their heads held high.

Winner: Noa Quintanilla by split decision 29-28

Jim Hettes v. Justin Haas

R1 – Hettes pressures Haas against the fence flips him around and lands in an open guard. Haas scrambles well on his back with his legs in air trying to set a trap but Hettes rotates around him just as well and takes the opening for a heel hook. Tap out in seconds. Hettes remains undefeated and gives Haas just his second career loss.

Hettes def. Haas by heel hook submission :43 R1.

Randy “The Wolf” Smith (CNY MMA) v. Corey Mullis

Round 1: Smith throws his jab out there and Mullis looks for a takedown immediately. He puts Smith on his back and doesn’t let him up for the entire round.

Round 2: Smith adds a leg kick to his jab, cross combination and this time he gets to lay a hand or two on Mullis before being taken down. Once on his back, Smith reverses position once, but in mount with no hooks in he’s bucked off right away. Smith spends much of this round fighting off a rear naked choke attempt, but once again survives the ground with Mullis.

Round 3: Smith comes out of his corner looking fresher than his opponent, it look’s like all that time on top of the Wolf has started to wear on him and fatigue is setting in. Smith uses that leg kick again to set up a combination with his hands up stairs — the kick forces Mullis to abandon his takedown attempt just long enough for Smith to clock him with a few good punches. Mullis is dazed and Smith has him up against the fence. He lands four or five hard shots and the ref calls an end to the war by standing TKO.

Winnger: Randy Smith by TKO :38 R3.

Spencer Paige (CNY MMA) v Nate Schut

Round 1: Spencer Paige looks to be in top shape for a guy whose taken a year off, but is also visibly smaller than his opponent at 155 pounds. Paige looked anything but worried though as he walked out to a Miley Cyrus tune for his main event ring walk.

Paige comes out of his corner swining. He drops a few leg kicks and couple left and right hands, but is taked down right away. He’s sitting up with his back to the cage though and as he works back to his feet he’s brought down again before he can even get up all the way.

Schut is grinding out the round in half guard trying to mount an offence but Paige is two steps ahead of him and attempts a submission. Schut works out of it and nearly has the mount with one leg trapped behind in half guard. But Spencer rolls and now he’s on top in half guard looking to get his shots in. Schut wants to get his guard back but Spencer is keeping him pinned down well. He let’s his hands go and in seconds the ref must put a stop to this one. Fight ends midway through the first round.

Winner: Spencer Paige by TKO R1.