Review by Gregg Snyder

NAFL Pavement Wars; Chicopee, MA

 

It is Friday night and this is my first time at an event being held in an outdoor venue.  Ken Shamrock, Gabriel Gonzaga, Mikey Burnett and Jerry Spiegel are all in the house and the energy level is high even before the fights begin.  The event gets off to a late start but otherwise things at ringside seem pretty well-organized. 

 

It is the evening of 9/11 and the national anthem is played and tonight it seems to carry a bit more significance than usual.  The fights begin and the action is non-stop.  One thing that made this event really good was that there was very little downtime between the fights.  There were no intermissions, and no announcer trying to grandstand with the crowd between fights, no breaks in the action, just good clean action all night.

 

Grappling – 175 lbs

Steve Francescoli (Team Link) vs. Estavon Gonzalez (AFT)

 

Round 1

Gonzales comes out very aggressive and looking to push the action.  He goes for the shoot and ends up on top in closed guard.  Francescoli grabs the foot and looks to sweep then moves to try and setup an armbar. This fight is moving very quickly and both young fighters are displaying some very good skills.  Gonzales escapes several submission attempts from the ground but then gets caught up in a triangle.  Francescoli makes a slick move to take top control while still holding the triangle.  He pulls up on the head and Gonzalez is forced to tap at 2:53 of round one.

 

Amateur – 165 lbs

Albe Trembaly (Gracie JJ) vs. Khasan Usmanov (AFT)

 

Round 1

Trembaly fakes the shot and then throws to the head.  Usmanov moves for the takedown and ends up in guard against the fence.  He tries to ground and pound but Tremably manages to tie up his arms and head.  Both are very calm until Usmanov picks up Tremably from the standing guard and slams him to the mat.  The round ends with both fighters tying each other up against the fence.

 

Round 2

Trembaly shoots right for the takedown but gets his arm caught up when it goes to the ground.  Usmanov sets up the triangle then manages to get top control.  Usmanov gets Trembaly’s arm extended into a modified Americana and cranks on it until Trembaly taps at 1:34 of round two.

 

Amateur – 135 lbs

Angel Laboy vs. Rob O’Connell (FAA)

 

A long delay ensues from the time Laboy is introduced to his entrance into the cage.  Not to be outdone by Laboy, O’Connell also takes his time getting to the cage.  Finally, they are both ready to go and Laboy is giving his best staredown across the cage.

 

Round 1

O’connell leads off with a head kick and then this goes right to the ground.  Laboy gets top but is in O’Connell guard which is very active.  O’connell shows rubber guard and starts to setup for a gogoplata.  Laboy is also showing some ground skills with escape after escape as O’Connell goes through several different slick submissions but doesn’t seem to be able to land them cleanly on a slippery Laboy.  Laboy finally ties up Rob and hold on as the round ends.

 

Round 2

O’Connell again leads off with a head kick.  Laboy throws some good combinations and the two exchange on their feet.  O’Connell picks up Laboy and body slams him hard.  Both take turns on top in each others guard.  O’connell is landing some good body shots while in Laboy’s guard.  O’Connell gets sidemount as the round comes to an end.

 

Round 3

O’connell connects with a hard punch then shoots for the takedown.  Laboy pulls half guard but then O’connell manages to get mount.  O’Connell seems content to keep this on the ground and is very patient in trying to setup a finishing move.  O’connell moves to sidemount and begins throwing knees to the body.  O’Connell gets back to mount and starts throwing bombs trying to finish this before the round ends.  Laboy tries to bridge out but can’t quite escape.  O’connell throws more punches from the mount but Laboy hangs in there until the time expires.

 

O’Connell by decision (unanimous.)

 

Amateur – 165 lbs

Phil Dechene (Upstate BJJ) vs. Seth Larue (AFT)

 

Round 1

Larue opens with a big punch and Dechene shoots for the takedown.  Back to standing and Seth lands a big knee to the body from the clinch followed by a big uppercut.  Dechene gets a takedown and Larue pulls guard.  Larue looks very calm from the bottom and Dechene gets to sidemount.  Larue manages to get back to guard and the time expires.  Both fighters are showing some signs of fatigue as they head back to their corners.

 

Round 2

Dechene goes right for the takedown and Seth sprawls his hips back but still gets taken down and ends up in guard.  Dechene is in guard showing his strong wrestling base and Larue makes some good escape attempts.  They end up in the middle of the ring with Dechene on top and Larue holding guard.  The action is slow to end the round.

 

Round 3

Dechene looking a bit tired, shoots but Larue stuffs it and sets up for an Anaconda choke.  Dechene manages to escape but ends up on bottom with butterfly guard.  They joust on the ground for position and end up against the cage.  Larue mounts and begins raining punches from the top.  Dechene rolls to give up his back and eats a couple of punches to the back of the head but doesn’t get a call.  The round ends with Larue in mount.

 

Larue by decision.  28-29, 26-30, 29-29

 

Amateur – 185 lbs

Roger Zapatta (Abdali/Spartan) vs. Mike Happy (Lions Den)

 

Both fighters are in great shape and Mike Happy is looking absolutely ripped.  I’m told that these two fight clubs have some history making this fight real important to both teams.

 

Round 1

Zapatta feints a punch and then a head fake before throwing a kick.  Happy shoots and takes Zappata to the fence in the clinch.  Happy drops for a single but Zappata stuffs it.  He tries again and is stuffed again.  Happy then drops for a double-leg and Zappata starts to setup for a guillotine.   They trade knees from the clinch until the round ends.

 

Round 2

The action is all on the feet as Zappata comes out looking to trade.  Zappata is landing some big punches and Happy has a small cut under the eye. 

 

One big punch by Zapatta lands squarely to Happy’s head and I am completely doused with flying sweat while sitting ringside, I actually need to towel off from this….disgusting!

 

Zappata is working angles and is looking rather dominant in the standup game.  Happy finally clinches but Zappata works his way free and lands several more big strikes.  Happy loses his mouthpiece as Zappata is throwing down to end the round.

 

Round 3

Zapatta comes out looking very relaxed.  Happy throws a big kick but just misses.  They clinch for a while and then finally break free.  Zappata throws a head kick which Happy partially blocks.  They trade punches and combinations on their feet but it appears that Zappata is doing more damage and is never in any real trouble throughout the fight.   The time expires and this one goes to the judges.

 

Zappata by decision.  30-27, 30-27, 30-27

 

Amateur – 185 lbs

Scott Boyce vs. Randy Degray (AFT)

 

Round 1

Both fighters begin by trading kicks from range and Boyce just misses with a head kick.  More trading of leg kicks and lots of foot movement and circling the cage.  After a couple of minutes of feeling each other out the two begin brawling and trading huge punches.  Someone is clearly going to be knocked out here.  Finally Randy lands the big one and knocks Boyce out cold.  Boyce entire body buckles to the canvas and it looks like his body is trembling while unconscious.  This was a little scary.

 

While watching Boyce layed out on the canvas, I see that Boyce ankle appears to be completely broken and the bone is nearly protruding through the skin…his foot his flopping around like its barely attached!  I gasped as this was rather sick looking.  If you weren’t sitting near the cage, you might not have caught this.  Someone yelled to get the attention of the Ring Doctor (Lou Durkin) who was already in the cage anyway attending to the knockout.  Thinking quickly, Doc grabbed the ankle and reset what was apparently a dislocated ankle while Boyce was still laying unconscious. Fortunately, Boyce came to his senses shortly thereafter and was assisted out of the cage by the medical team as the crowd cheered for him.  Doc then makes his way back to our ringside table when I notice that suddenly there are all these single women hanging out at our ringside table and Doc has become a very popular guy.

 

Amateur – 170 lbs

Boyce Kaman (Blue Devil) vs. Pat Precort (Lions Den)

 

Round 1

Kamas shoots and then throws Precort with a big body slam and the crowd cheers.  The noise level rises quickly as the action in this fight is high.  Kaman is on top in half guard and Precort quickly ties up one of Kaman’s arms.  Kaman throws heavy with his one free arm then somehow manages to get Precort’s back.  He’s throwing heavy with both arms to the sides of the head and Precort is trying to defend the punches.  Precorts corner is yelling to tuck keep the chin tucked but Kaman quickly moves to sink the choke from behind and Precort is forced to tap at 1:15.

 

Amateur – 170 lbs

Damian Malone (Lions Den) vs. Leon Davis (FAA)

 

Round 1

Both fighters are circling and showing a lot of respect for each other.  Davis moves forward to get the clinch and keeps moving to take it to the fence.  Davis lands some knees and attempts a hip throw which Malone defends.  Davis lands a head kick and is starting to look dominant on the feet before Malon takes this to the ground.  Malon on top in Davis’ butterfly guard but Davis manages to get back up to the clinch with his back to the cage.  Davis leaves his head down and Malone goes right for the standing, arm-in guillotine.  Malone holds it on tight but Davis manages to hang on for about 10 seconds but Davis is then forced to tap at 2:58. 

 

Amateur – 145 lbs

Eric Lee (Blue Devil) vs. Sam Nadeau (AFT)

 

Round 1

Nadeau leads off with leg kicks and Lee charges and lands a big takedown.  Nadeau is on bottom holding Lee in a strong closed guard.  Lee lands several big right hands from inside the guard.  Nadeau keeps trying to shrimp out but Lee keeps hold.  The round ends with Lee on top, still in Nadeau’s guard.

 

Round 2

Lee comes out circling the ring and showing some footwork before moving in to a clinch.  Lee throws a hard inside knee and then another which lands hard in Nadeau’s groin area.  Nadeau is given a minute to recover and the knee is ruled unintentional.  After the restart, Lee gets right to the clinch before landing some big right hands.  Nadeau throws a good leg kick and Lee clinches and gets another takedown.  Nadeau pulls half guard and attempts a guillotine.  Lee escapes and they are back to their feet.  Lee gets to Nadeau’s back while on their feet, but Nadeau escapes back to the clinch.  The action slows and they are separated.  Lee shoots and they are back in the clinch.  Lee drops for a leg takedown and Nadeau defends by throwing an elbow to Lee’s upper back area.  Nadeau is warned for the elbow to the back of the neck area.  The clinch moves to the fence and the time expires.

 

Lee by decision.  19-19, 19-19, 20-19

 

 

Pro – 155 lbs

Joe Kavey (Wasteland) vs Lou Thouin

 

Thouin is clearly a big local favorite and enters the cage to large awaiting crowd.  I haven’t seen this many cameras and cell phone photographers than when Meghan Fox walked down the red carpet in Hollywood.  This looks like a big missed merchandising opportunity.  If I had just thought to bring some Lou Thouin bobblehead figures I might have really cleaned up.

 

Round 1

Thouin is actively circling on his feet and both fighters are showing respect for the other.  Kavey throws a few leg kicks and looks calm on the feet.  They exchange on their feet and Thouin slips and nearly falls to the ground.  Kavey charges trying to get the clinch and Thouin defends by landing a big right hand.  Thouin throws another big punch that misses and is caught way out of position.  Kavey charges forward and Thouin is forced to retreat which leads to an interesting foot chase about half way around the cage.  Kavey catches Thouin and clinches from behind.  They fall to the ground and Thouin somehow manages to escape the position while also sinking a triangle choke.  Kavey is forced to tap at 2:21 of round one.

 

The crowd is already on their feet yelling “Looooouuuuu” as Lou announces that he is donating his entire purse to the Massachusetts Firefighters Fund.

 

Amateur – 185 lbs

Jason Hubbard (Lions Den) vs Zach Losacano

 

Hubbard eneters the cage and he is completely jacked.  This fight appears to look like a bit of a mismatch before it even begins.

 

Round 1

Hubbard comes out swinging hard and he’s landing everything.  Losacano turns his back and eats another three or four big shots before the referee steps in at 0:13 of round 1.

 

Pro – 155 lbs

Jeremy Ross (Team Link) vs Jose Valentin (AFT)

 

Round 1

They touch gloves and Ross goes for a quick clinch.  Ross takes overhooks then fights to get underhooks before quickly taking it to the ground.  Ross is on top in Valentin’s closed guard showing a very strong base before going to knee on belly.  He attempts to mount then sees an armbar but Valentin defends nicely and Ross has to settle for guard.  Ross takes butterfly guard then pulls off a really nice butterfly sweep into mount.  Ross begin throwing hard punches from mount then takes an arm and attempts an armbar.  Ross gets back to mount, throws more punches then takes another armbar.  Valentin escapes again and Ross takes his back.   Ross attempts another four or five submissions but Valentin defends all of them very nicely and seems very calm throughout the round.  The round ends with both fighters trying to sink an ankle lock.

 

Round 2

Valentin leads with a hard front kick to the body.  Ross moves in for the clinch, gets the underhooks and moves forward forcing Valentin back to the fence.  The action stalls as they jockey for position in the clinch.  Ross drops down for a double leg and controls from the top then takes mount.  Valentin tries to escape but Ross has secured the position and Ross sets up for several armbar attempts which are all stuffed by Valentin.  Ross sees an opening and takes the back.  Valentin defends well but after some time Ross works in both hooks and the over under control.  Valentin’s corner is screaming “tuck the chin, tuck the chin”.  Ross moves for the choke and Valentin quickly taps at 3:30 of round 2. 

 

Pro – 205 lbs

Randy Rowe (Lions Den) vs Kym Sturdivant (AFT)

 

Round 1

Rowe opens with a leg kick and Sturdivant moves in for the clinch forcing the action to the fence.  Sturdivant is landing knees while using all of his weight to tire out Rowe.  The crowd is with Randy and they are chanting “Randy, Randy, Randy”.  Sturdivant continues to apply pressure.  Rowe drops his head like he’s going to try a single-leg and Sturdivant throws a gigantic knee which barely misses.  Sturdivant then lets go of the clinch only to let go of a flying knee which again barely misses Rowe’s head.  Rowe finally escapes the clinch and switches up to put Sturdivant against the cage.  Rowe connects with some strong body blows and throws in some big knees for good measure.  The clinch goes to the ground and Sturdivant, on bottom, attempts a guillotine when the round ends.

 

Round 2

Rowe opens up with another leg kick and Sturdivant charges in again for the clinch.  This ends up again with Randy’s back against the cage but this time they are trading knees evenly.  The crowd chants Randy, Randy, Randy” and the fighters are then separated.   Rowe throws a kick to the body which Sturdivant catches cleanly then forces the action back to the fence.  Rowe shoots for a single-leg and gets a big takedown.  Rowe using his ground and pound manages side mount and Sturdivant defends nicely putting Rowe back into his guard.

 

Round 3

Rowe comes out looking mean and clearly determined and leads off with some hard leg kicks.  Sturdivant attempts another flying knee but Rowe catches his leg and uses the position to setup a hard body slam.  Rowe begins throwing down from Sturdivant’s half guard and is looking more dominant on the ground.  Rowe gets mount but Sturdivant rolls out to escape to his knees.  Rowe chooses not take the back but sets up in a wrestler’s side position while trying to flatten out Sturdivant.  Finally, Rowe gets one hook in but then loses it.  He throws a hard knee high to the shoulder/head area of Sturdivant and he is visibly furious and begins arguing with the referee that there was no foul called.  Sturdivant manages to get back to a standing clinch but Rowe drops down for another takedown.  Rowe finishes the third with strong ground and pound and this one is going to the judges.

 

Rowe by decision.  29-28, 29-28, 29-28

 

Amateur – 230 lbs

Sandor Binkley (Blue Devil) vs Anthony Colon

 

Round 1

Colon moves in for the clinch but seems to be using up a lot more energy than Binkley. Binkley calmly gets the action to the ground and immediately looks for an armbar.  Colon defends and gets on top with Binkley holding half guard.  Colon backs out and gets to his feet.  Colon is standing over Binkley screaming at him to “get up, get up”.  Binkley gets a takedown and moves right to Colons back while on their knees.  Binkley mounts and starts landing bombs when the round ends.

 

Round 2

Colon charges across the cage but Binkley ends up getting a quick takedown and mounts.  Binkley is landing hard when the referee steps in to end the fights at 0:40 of round two.

 

Colon leaves the cage smiling, screaming and looking like he is just satisfied that the fight did not get cut due to the curfew.

 

Amateur – 140 lbs

Mike Cataldo (Upstate BJJ) vs Mike Campandella (Connors MMA)

 

Round 1

The last fight of the night starts out very fast.  They trade some hard fast blows on their feet and it goes to the ground with no one clearly in control.  This moves quickly as each fighter moves top to bottom, bottom to top until Campandella gets to Cataldo’s back.  Cataldo tries to roll out but Campandella sinks in the choke and Cataldo taps at 0:40 of round one.

 

 

Results:

Francescoli def Gonzalez.by submission (triangle) at 2:53, R1

Usmonov def Trembaly by submission (extended arm technique) at 1:34, R2

O’Connell def Laboy by decision.

Larue def Dechene by decision.

Zappata def Happy by decision.

Degray def Boyce by KO at 1:26, R1

Kaman def Precort by submission (RNC) at 1:15, R1

Malone def Davis by submission (standing guillotine) at 2:58 R1

Lee def Nadeau by decision.

Thouin def Kavey by submission (triangle) at 2:21, R1

Hubbard def Losacano by TKO at 0:13, R1

Ross def Valentin by submission (RNC) at 3:30, R2

Rowe def Sturdivant by decision.

Binkley def Colon by TKO at 0:40, R2

Campandella def Cataldo by submission (RNC) at 0:40, R1