GFL 6 “Prevail” Preview
Nashua High School South Hosts Global Fight League’s 6th MMA Event as Educational Fundraiser
New England Area Mixed Martial Artists help raise money for struggling area schools.
On Saturday, March 13th at 7:00 PM, Nashua High School South will open its doors to the state’s Mixed Martial Arts community and host the GFL’s 6th event, Prevail. The weigh-ins will be held at Jillian’s in Manchester on Friday, March 12th at 6:00 PM. The card features 15 professional and amateur contests, with the 30 fighters being split into “North” and “South” teams, representing the scholastic rivalry between the two Nashua area High Schools. Bouts are state-sanctioned and held in accordance with and under the supervision of the New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Tickets range between $35 and $65, with $10 from each ticket sold going directly to support the athletic programs at these schools. This marks the first time in New Hampshire’s history that an educational institution has partnered with a Mixed Martial Arts promotion to directly benefit the community.
135lb Bantam weight Title Fight
(Champion) Matt Smith 6-2 (PMA/Renzo Gracie) vs Pedro Gonzalez 4-2 (DWMMA)
The card features the first title defense of GFL Bantamweight Champion Matt Smith. Smith, a native of Danville, New Hampshire and graduate of Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, is one of the greatest wrestlers that New England has ever produced. A four-time New Hampshire State Champion, four-time New England Champion, and two-time National Champion, he attended Penn State on a full wrestling scholarship where he was ranked #2 in the nation before being sidelined by injury. He finished his academic career at Johnson and Wales as the #1 ranked NCAA Division 3 wrestler in New England at his weight class. He currently runs Smitty’s Wrestling Barn in Danville, and coaches the Timberlane High School and Middle School wrestling teams, both of which have been ranked in the national top 10, and which have produced over 20 national champions under his tutelage. Challenging Smith for his coveted title will be Pedro Gonzalez Newly of team Dragon Warrior. Pedro’s 3-2 record is nothing to balk at as he’s fought some of New Englands best as he took 145lb Full Force Champion Chris Grandmaison deep into the 3rd round finally succumbing to a submission but earning much deserved respect by taking it to one of New England’s top fighter’s in GFL’s first main event back in 08. Following his fight with Grandmaison, Pedro fought fellow Renzo Gracie fighter Sean Ratcliffe and submitted him in the second frame of a 3-rnd fight via guillotine. Recently, Gonzalez was featured as a main event in the AFO against previously unbeaten Franklin Isabel. Gonzalez deposed of Isabel quickly in the first round also via guillotine. Pedro now drops to a more suitable 135lbs where he will be a monster at that weight and looks to end Smith’s reign as the top 135lber in the area.
145lb Feather weight Title Fight
Rodrigo Almeida 5-1 (Wai Kru) vs Justin Homsey 4-1 (PMA/Renzo Gracie)
In Another Featured bout, Renzo Gracie Purple belt Justin Homsey 4-1 145lbs and ranked 6th in New England, face’s Brazilian Wai Kru Fighter 5-1 Rodrigo Almeida. Almeida returns after a dominating performance in GFL 4 which propelled him to a title shot at his new weight of 145lbs. Almeida, ranked 9th in the Northeast at 155lbs looks to stake his claim as the top 145lber in the area. Rodrigo comes into this fight the favorite where as he’s been much more active and comes down in weight so he’ll be the bigger stronger opponent. Homsey Brings a pretty impressive ground attack that will test Almeida for sure, but every fight starts on the feet so it will be interesting to see how this fight plays out. This fight has potential for fight of the night.
Main Card
DJ Grimes (Team Chaos) vs Christian Rivera (Dragon Warrior) 135lbs
Both fighters enter this fight in search of a much needed win. These are the best fights! When two fighters are coming in off tough losses they always come back better and meaner in desperation for that win. Grimes is coming back over to GFL from a visit at the AFO where he met Brian Marino the AFO’s poster boy at 145. Dropping back down to his more natural weight of 135lbs DJ hasn’t lost yet and is out to get him self back on track and make a run in the ever popular 135lb class in the GFL. Rivera is a mainstay at 135 and was atop the 135lb class in the GFL until recently. Coming off back to back losses, one to champion Matt Smith and another to Prime FC’s Yann Oliveira at a catch weight (140). Christian is the veteran here and has the advantage over the young new comer. Christian is the more technical fighter and DJ will certainly look to make this a war. Well matched fight and should go the distance.
Josh Bourque 1-0 (Cage Strikers) vs Heath England 0-0 (LRVT) 135lbs
This 18 year old Senior in High School wastes no time getting back in the cage coming in off a KO win on GFL 5.5 in his first ever fight! Josh Bourque just might be the next best thing. Bourque looked like a 30 yr old veteran, calm when he needed to be and aggressive when he saw the finish in his sights. The 18 yr old boxer has extremely fastest hands and throws bricks for punches. Heath England is the kid who won the “Get Schooled” by Uriah Faber trip offered by No Fear energy Drink http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohum9IAfS8k. Heath is an all American wrestler and will look to defuse Bourque and his wicked stand-up. Classis Grappler vs Striker match-up!
Lorenzo Fitzgerald 3-0 (Terry Dows) vs Jay Bakanowski 1-0 (Wai Kru) 170lbs
Lorenzo Fitzgerald is the full package. For 3-0 he’s hardly known, but The GFL is sure to change that for him. Fitzgerald is a diamond in the rough and will make waves in this sport soon. The Terry Dow student has been training for just 1 yr and has compiled an impressive record but only spent just under 1 round total in the ring between his 3 fights! Enter Jay Bakanowski, Like Lorenzo, Jay has spent limited time in the ring and has only been training MMA for a short time but this kid is explosive! In his only fight on Combat Zone he absolutely destroyed his opponent with slams, and strikes from all over the place. Jay is a bull in a china shop, His style reminds me that of John Ortilani where he just tries to hurt you with everything he does! If not for anything this fight will be very exciting, but knowing how their fights go, I can assure you a finish.
Here is how the rest of the card looks:
1 STEVEN WOLFINGER 0-0 (CHAOS) vs JOSH ADAMS 0-0 (RAYMOND NH) 170
2 PETE BENNETT 0-1 (TERRY DOW) vs NATE BOYER 0-0 (CAGE STRIKERS) 145
3 JAMES GRANT 1-0 (RENZO Gracie) vs DEVIN POWELL 0-0 (SEACOAST) 155
4 TYLER NAU 1-0 (CHAOS) vs JARRETT CHENARD 0-0 (SAABS) 165
5 JUSTIN MARCOTTE 0-0 (Haverhill,MA) vs MYLES O’KEEFE 0-0 (CAGE STRIKE) 170
6 BRANDON CYR 0-0 (Terry Dow) VS Keegan Hornstra 0-0 (Cobra) 185
7 TONY WOODMAN 0-3 (S. Maine) VS EDDIE BRITO 1-2 (Team Valor) 175
INTERMISSION
145LB FEATHER WEIGHT TITLE
8 JUSTIN HOMSEY 4-1 (RENZO) VS RODRIGO ALMEIDA 5-1 (WAI KRU) 145
9 JOHN LAFLEX 0-0 (CHAOS) VS ROB WEST 0-0 (CAGE STRIKERS) 155
10 JUSTIN CLOUGH 1-0 (TUF) VS AARON SMITH 0-0(SEACOAST) 155
11 THAD BARBOUR 0-0 (CHAOS) VS Mike Doherty 0-0 (Cage Strikers) 135
12 LORENZO FITZGERALD 3-0 (Terry Dow) VS JAY BAKANOWSKI 1-0 (Wai Kru) 170
13 DJ GRIMES 1-2 (CHAOS) VS CHRISTIAN RIVERA 3-4 (Dragon Warrior) 135
14 HEATH ENGLAND 0-0 (LRVT) VS JOSH BOURQUE 1-0 (CAGE STRIKERS) 135
135lb TITLE FIGHT
15 MATT SMITH 6-2 (RENZO GRACIE) VS PEDRO GONZALEZ 4-2 (DWMMA) 135
Bill Mahoney
on Mar 10th, 2010
@ 9:27 PM:
Rodrigo Almeida vs Justin Homsey is an amazing fight.
Reep
on Mar 10th, 2010
@ 9:27 PM:
Good Card!!! How many people can fit in the gym?
Gumby
on Mar 10th, 2010
@ 9:32 PM:
Go Pedro!
Bonnell
on Mar 10th, 2010
@ 10:38 PM:
The Gym at Nashua South is Very large, its Bleachers alone hold 2500 people and we have floor seats around the cage, i think about 500. We are close to selling out right now with 3 more days to go. this will be the largest attendance at a GFL show so far.
Almeida vs Homsey will be awesome for sure.
Jason Franklin
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 12:46 AM:
Solid card. Almeida vs. Homsey is a good one for sure.
Benoits Girl
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 11:34 AM:
Good luck to HOMSEY, SMITTY and JAMES from Renzo’s! Can’t wait to see Homsey win that belt!!!
zr8MMA
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 11:36 AM:
Is this Venue sold out? I went on the GFL website and clicked the tickets link and it says they are no long available
Eric Renzo NH
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 12:00 PM:
Good luck to James, Smith, and Homsey from Renzo NH. Should be a great night for you guys!
John Fain
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 1:39 PM:
Nice card! Rumor has it the night will end with a slow dance to Stairway to Heaven in the gymnasium. Can’t wait, Dennis is my date!
Bonnell
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 1:50 PM:
The only tickets left that are available now are through the Athletic department at both Nashua North and South high Schools. If you call or go by the school they may have a few left. any tickets that the fighters return will be available at the door. I anticipate a sell out but not until the night of the fight.
Dalton
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 3:12 PM:
I heard Lit’s penis will be charging $2 to see Bonnell’s underpants in the bathroom!
Lits Penis
on Mar 11th, 2010
@ 3:43 PM:
^^ Fail……..
Bonnell
on Mar 14th, 2010
@ 6:59 PM:
Congrats to all the GFL Fighters last night! That was the best show we have ever put on….Every fight was awesome. Congrats to Justin Homsey the new GFL 145lb Champ , Matt Smith retaining his 135lb belt, I consider all you GFL guys my friends and teammates, win or lose we all won putting on a sick show like that. Nashua came out in full force during a monsoon last night and packed that place .
On to May 8th GFL 7
Features: Woody Weatherby, Rodrigo Almeida, Bill Jones, Chris “The Ego” Fissette, Jerry Speigel, and more!
If you want to fight for GFL email me at danbonnellglobal@yahoo.com
http://www.gflmma.com
ksturdiv
on Mar 14th, 2010
@ 10:24 PM:
results?????
Reep
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 5:06 AM:
please!!!!!
Bonnell
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 7:26 AM:
i Will post results and review soon, im just waiting for them myself.
Reep
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 5:00 PM:
anyone? I want to hear what happened!!!
John Fain
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 5:15 PM:
Great teams, fighters and fights!
The Almeida/Homsey fight was amazing. I’m glad it was a title fight and didn’t go to a decision after three. Both were impressive but Homsey’s jiu-jitsu was a step ahead and had Almeida playing from behind. I won’t miss either of these guys’ fights in the future.
Bonnell
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 5:42 PM:
i sent in the review to Rick about an hour ago so it should be up shortly
mmafanatic
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 9:04 PM:
best show you ever put on come on dan you cant be serious, other than the two title fights and watching that marcotte kid get knocked out this was not an exciting night of fights. i have been to most of gfls shows and i gotta tellya this was a bit of a dissapointment, maybe it was the venue, maybe it was the production, maybe it was the card, but i have been to way better gfl shows than this one. i think you guys have some work to do to get back to where you were.