Before you guys ask why I have two reviews, I want to let you know what’s up. I had asked Shelly to review the event, and when Mark Daniels didn’t recognize one of my normal writers in the building, he wrote one for us too…I figure it makes sense to post both. Here is Mark’s review:
CageFX 9-By Mark Daniels
At Plymouth Memorial Hall
Christian Morecraft def. Lee Beane via submission (strikes) Round 1, 2:40
Morecraft walked out to “Calling Dr. Love”, making me more of a fan. Morecraft through a quick jab and Beane immediately shot and got the takedown. In guard, Beane moved to half guard and Morecraft began to roll to get out. Beane slapped on a quick kneebar, that looked like it could work. Christian got out, stood and got a brief takedown of his own. Both fighters quickly got up though. Beane shot again, getting another takedown. Morecraft impressively got up again and threw an uppercut. Beane threw a leg kick and shot, only to be stuffed. Morecraft then landed a huge overhand right, dropping Beane. Christian punced, landed a few more shots and Beane tapped out.
After the fight Morecraft said, “I’m taking it to the next level from here, baby.” I’d have to agree with him. Honestly though, I really can’t think of a local fight that interests me with Christian at the moment. I know Bellator likes him and would love to see him take a step up in competition.
Mark Griffin def. Jerry Spiegel via TKO – Round 2, 2:02
Spiegel seems to take the hardest fights out there. The guy is a warrior and I have to give him props for hanging in there with Griffin. Griffin is a big boy and right from the get-go he threw some big punches and a nice head kick. Spiegel tried to keep him at Bay with leg kicks, but Griffin was able to get takedown pretty quickly. He worked over Spiegel’s body pretty good, as Jerry tried to through punches from the bottom. After some more ground and pound Griffin got Spiegel’s back and started to work a rear-naked choke. Spiegel rolled and Griffin now had the mount position but the referee halted the fight for a second to have Spiegel’s cut check. When action continued Spiegel gave up his back again, but the horn sounded. Griffin 10-9.
In round two, Griffin shot and got another takedown but this time in side control. He started raining down some mean punches. Spiegel tried to roll, only to give up his back again. Griffin sunk in his hooks and brought the heat some more. Spiegel covered up, but eventually the bout was stopped.
Bill Mahoney def. Fernando Rivera via submission (guillotine) – Round 1, 2:02
I was pumped to see Bill back in there. He and Scott Lockhart are good people and Mahoney hasn’t been in there in nearly two years. He stepped in for Scott, who hurt his back, and was giving up a lot of weight to Rivera.
Mahoney shot almost immediately and Rivera sprawled. Rivera worked on a guillotine, but Mahoney seemed to be fine as he was in half guard. He worked over Rivera’s body and he finally let go. Mahoney moved to side control and Rivera rolled and tried to get up. Mahoney sprawled and locked up a guillotine of his own. He moved to guard, it was tight and Rivera tapped.
Bobby Favors def. Shawn Galano via submission (north south choke) – Round 1, 1:49
I’ll be honest, Galano has been on a roll and I thought this would be over quick. Favors came in on a four fight losing streak, while Galano came in with a perfect 5-0 record. I was right about it ending quick, just wrong about who.
Favors immediately clinched Galano up against the cage and got the takedown. Favors was punching from the top and Galano was doing the same from the bottom. Favors, all 300+ pounds of him, then moved to the north-south position. Galano tried to get out, but ended up tapping. I wrote he tapped due to suffocation… the official ruling was a north-south choke.
Abe Pitrowski def. Lionel Young via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
I was looking forward to this fight, leading up to the event, and it didn’t disappoint. I would say fight of the night. Pitrowski hasn’t fought since 2008, and I hope he stays around. And he walked to the cage wearing a predator mask.
In the first round, Young had a beautiful slam to begin and it wouldn’t be the last. Both fighters got up quick, Pitrowski clinched and it looked like Young tried to jump guard. Both fighters quickly stood up again, and Young delivered another nice slam. Pitrowski, though, was able to reverse and get mount. Young rolled and gave up his back briefly. He rolled again and tried to set up an armbar. Both stood again and Pitrowski got the takedown and ended up in side control. He quickly moved to mount and both fighters briefly stood up. Young tried t shoot but Pitrowski sprawled and ended up in side control. This kid is slick he went from side control, to mount and then ended up on Young’s back. He worked a rear-naked choke as the rounded ended. Pitrowski 10-9.
Pitrowski opened up the second round with a jab and then clinched. And again Young delivered another slam positioning himself in Pitrowski’s guard. It looked like he was working an arm-triangle from the top. Both stand up again, and Pitrowski shoots. Young sprawls and ends up in Abe’s guard. Pitrowski then made a beautiful transition to an armbar. Honestly, it was sweet and I have no idea how Young got out of it. It looked tight. Pitrowski then moved to side control and started raining down some punches and elbows. He moved to mound but Young transitioned to guard. Pitrowski 10-9.
In the third round, Pitrowski got an early takedown but Young reversed and got top position. I honestly thought that Pitrowski was trying to work an omoplata here, but couldn’t see well. He then went for a kimura. The action then stalled and the ref stood them up. Pitrowski got another takedown and ended up in side control. He stood and this time Young aggressively went for a takedown, worked hard and got it. Young then started delivering some nice elbows and punches from the side control position. Young 10-9.
This was a tough fight to score, but I gave it to Pitrowski 29-28.
Mark Giove def. Greg Mendes via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 1, 3:42
Ugh… I didn’t want to even touch this topic but seeing that Mark addressed it I will give my thoughts after this little recap.
Giove threw a left and then shot in. Mendes sprawled. Giove then got a double leg into half guard and quickly moves to side control. Mendes tried to lock in a guillotine as GIove was on top and in side control, but he seemed to hold on forever. Giove popped his head up, worked the body and then moved to half guard. He got mount and locked in an arm triangle for the win.
Everything that happened immediately after that arm triangle disgusted me. When Giove won, he started shouting some expletives out at Gary Foreman. When he exited the cage, Gary approached and started yelling at Mark. Giove yelled back, Gary started to approach him. The guys at South Shore Sports Fighting stepped in the middle, as did Josh Diekman and another large man. I was honestly disgusted. This sport has come too far in general for this type of stuff to happen. Not to mention it was in front of everybody – including little kids, the commission, a member of the press (myself). From both parties, that whole situation wasn’t needed. I’m glad it got resolved, but that was a big low point in my opinion and completely amateurish.
Pierre Pierry def. Eric Hurd via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-25, 29-27)
Pierry started off Round 1 with a leg kick and then came in with a flurry of punches. He then deleivered a nice slam into Hurd’s half guard. Hurd briefly attempted a guillotine choke. Both fighters got up and Pierry slammed hurd again into half guard. He threw some punches to the body, Hurd rolled and got up to his feet. Pierry came in with more punches and again followed with a slam. Hurd worked a guillotine, but Pierry popped his head out and started working on some ground and pound. He went from the guard to half guard, and Hurd again went for the gillotine. Pierry got out, they stood up but Pierry got another takedown as the round ended. Pierry 10-9
Round 2 started off with another slam from Pierry, this time he ended up in Hurd’s guard. Pierre transitioned to half guard and started delivering some brutal punches to the body. Hurd attempted a brief guillotine. Pierry pretty much spent the rest of the round in Hurd’s guard delivering short elbows and punches to the body. It wasn’t eventful but I did score it 10-8 for Pierry.
In Round 3 Pierry threw a leg kick then immediately got the takedown. In Hurd’s guard he again threw a ton of punches to the body and some elbows. The referee warned Pierry a bunch about grabbing the fence and he got deducted a point here. Honestly, Hurd couldn’t get off his back and basically held Pierry here. The round ended with Hurd bleeding and me giving Pierry a 10-8 score, but 9-8 with the deduction. I had it 29-25 for Hurd. Only one referee agreed with me, but all agreed that Pierry won.
Mike Malvesti def. Glenn Reaves via TKO – Round 1, :24
Right when the fight started Malvesti shot out of a cannon and went for the takedown. He drove Reaves so hard against the cage, it rattled and I thought the light might have fallen. As soon as Malvesti got on top – he went from mount to side control – he tee’d off. He showed some brutal ground and pound and the fight was quickly stopped.
Anthony Kaponis def. John Downey via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:51
The round started and both fighters clinched. Kaponis got the takedown, and ended up in Downey’s half guard. Kaponis worked for a kimura and transitioned to side control. He let go, got mount and as Downey rolled he got the back position. Kaponis sunk in the rear naked choke and got the tap.
Chris Cole def. Nick Santos via submission (guillotine) – Round 1, :51
He started off the opening frame with some leg kicks and delivered a nice slam. My view got blocked, but the next thing I saw is Cole with a guillotine on Santos who was now standing. Cole had his legs wrapped around Santos, who then slammed Cole to the ground. It only made the guillotine tighter and Santos tapped.
Jose Adriano def. Doug Sonier via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:30
Adriano looked really good here. Sonier opened up with a leg kick but Adriano then delivered a push kick followed by a high kick. Adriano started to tee off. He then got Sonier in his Muay Thai clinch and delivered some knees. They separated and Adriano threw another flurry of punches making Sonier shoot in. Adriano then jumped on Sonier’s back, got his hooks in and sunk in a rear-naked choke.
Rob Costa def. Johnny Kim via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28 , 30-26)
This was a good fight to start the night. The first round was all Costa. After a leg kick, he threw a flurry of punches, dropping Kim. Costa went from half guard to side control dropping some elbows in along with some punches. At one point he had Kim’s arms pinned, but give Kim credit who survived. Costa 10-8.
Round 2 started off with Costa throwing more bombs. Each fighter exchange leg kicks then Costa got Kim in his Muay Thai clinch and threw some nice knees. Costa was able to get a takedown into Kim’s guard. Costa then stood for a moment, and Kim delivered a nice up kick that seemed to connect. Costa was able to get side control, and then mount. He delivered some more ground and pound as the round ended. Costa 10-9.
Round 3 was great. Costa shot in and Kim sprawled. Kim then got Costa’s back, but with only one hook in. It looked like Costa could lose this here. Costa was able to get out and got a takedown of his own. He spent the rest of the round on top and in Kim’s guard. But honestly, Kim did more work and threw a lot more punches from the bottom. I gave him the round 10-9. I gave Costa the win 29-27. Two judges agreed with me giving Kim the third round. I really have no idea why the third judge gave Costa the third, but at least the right man won.
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This was a good night of fights. I didn’t think there was a problem with the match making. There were a ton of good fights. I don’t know what’s up with Plymouth Memorial Hall, but show don’t seem to draw well there. It was too bad more people weren’t there. The Morecraft vs. Beane fight is something that could’ve happened on a bigger show like Bellator or Moosin, in my opinion. I was obviously displeased with the Mark Giove-Gary Foreman situation… CageFX announced that Mike Gresh would be fighting for the 145 pound title in August, possibly against Jason McLean.
so what was the problem between Gary and Mark?????
Mark, I don’t know you from a whole in the wall, and for all I know you may be the best sports writer around but COME ON DUDE!!??!!! The job of a good sports reporter/writer is to paint an accurate depiction of the event so that people who were not there can have somewhat of an understanding of what went down. Sorry, and I mean no offense to you with this, but you failed miserably in this. The way you described what happened is sooooooo over the top dramatic, that people who were not there probably think I either, killed a small animal, knocked over an old lady at the grocery store, or publicly slandered the Pope.
Again, I will be the first to say I regreted my actions the second my emotions cooled but lets call a spade a spade here. I ran around inside a cage, high on adrenaline, and shouted a few(6 or 7) expletives at the other party in question(in my mind, at the time for GREAT reason) and that was it. Calling it disgusting is just poor, poor reporting. For crying out loud, I met with the commision themselves after the fight , and while they did told me they think I should try and conduct myself more like a profesional, they also let me know they would take no action against me. Can’t have been too bad then, correct? And to the 3 or 4 kids that were there that I may have offended, I am trully sorry. Joking aside, I have kids of my own and I wouldn’t want them to hear that type of language. That being said, I would not want them to see a freaking cagefight either, christ. I also spoke to numerous people in the crowd, respected people, and none of them even knew there was an issue until they saw Gary approach me outside the cage. They also let me know that about 5 of the fighters entrance songs were littered with profanity that made my tirade sound like a church quior. So lets put an end to the idea that somehow this “giovereaction” was anything more than just that.
In closing I want to say sorry again to 2 or 3 kids I may have offended and to Gary for rekindling a fire that I’m sure he hoped had gone away. All I can say is that I was not gonna stand by and listen to all these people bash me anymore without you taking some responsibility or without someone coming to my defense. For crying out loud, in the past, referees have had to pull fighters off of basicly lifeless bodies because they were still smashing them, and 2 days later everyone runs to there defense….that is disgusting, not what I did.
And very sorry about all the spelling and grammar errors, I know how that gets everyone’s panties in a bunch…:) Also, Varner, me and you, charity grappling match, I will give you side control, gaurantee you can not last 2 mins my man.
gimme a hell yeah………/
I agree with you in part. As a reporter I’ll never put my opinion into something that doesn’t need. You’ll never see me be opinionated on the Boston Herald blog.
However, when I wrote this for northeastmma I strayed from my norm and added a little opinion here and there. One thing I didn’t want to do was describe or depict word for word what happened. Granted, I do think that people deserve to know in some form. I was sitting right there when Gary was yelling at you, I could quote the entire thing and perhaps I should’ve instead of writing my own opinion on the little altercation.
I was kind of shocked.
I’ve been a fan of MMA for a while and have seen the hard work people like Joe Esposito, Kevin MacDonald, Rick, and others have put in to make this sport legitimate. And the last thing a Massachusetts local promotion needs is a promoter and a fighter getting into an altercation, only 2 months into the new regulations.
I’m glad it’s resolved and I’m sure both you and Gary would probably take back some of what happened. I have nothing but respect for Gary, Linda and CageFX. And nothing but respect for Scott and Bill at SSSF. And I didn’t mean to “bash” you. I think you and your brother are good fighters and am looking forward to the next show.
And the last thing I’ll say is if a fighter is pissed a promoter, just simply kick your opponents ass and never fight for the promotion again. And hell, if a promoter is pissed at a fighter than never let him or her back. Keep the fighting to inside the cage.
Maxx training center 49 Rose St Stoughton ma 02072
Ill be here this Sat 11am till 2pm
Looking forward to it
ohh snapp. Sell some tickets at the door. I smell a Knee Bahhhhh coming.
More shocking from the CageFX show was that people actually booed the legendary Mike Varner!!
What were they thinking?
Mark G…I heard you walked to the edge of the cage and screamed ‘Fuck you Gary” then to the next side of the cage, followed by another “Fuck you Gary” and kept going until you covered all angles of the cage. I then heard you and Gary had some words outside the cage. I didn’t hear that you fought him or threatened him or anything like that.
However, no matter what happened before your fight, I think the point people were trying to make is that screaming “fuck you Gary” several times, then having more words with the guy you were screaming “fuck you” towards at cage side is something people will comment on. It’s not a shot at you or anything. The next WCF is a week away, and if a fighter screams at me, then we end up having more heated words ring side, I’d expect who ever is covering the event to talk about how out of place it was.
In my opinion, you should have kept it away from the cage. I don’t think anyone would have a problem with you telling anyone to get fucked, as long as it was back stage. I’m sure we’ve both yelled more than a few expletives at people in our lives, and yeah…you’re right, telling another man to eat shit is really not a big deal. However, fighting and confrontation is very different in a cage than outside it. Many people love watching MMA fights, but get all freaked out at the sight of two people fighting for real.
My advice isn’t to stop speaking your mind, or stop telling people to eat shit…just try to avoid doing it in front of a bunch of paying fans and MMA regulating bodies.
Oh, and in my mind you definitely have to factor in that it was right after a fight when emotions are high. You aren’t the first fighter who said/did something immediately after a fight that they wished they didn’t. However, all those guys got their balls broken for a minute before everyone gave them a pass.
Fuck you rick
Any chance we are going to see a review for the Triumph Fights this weekend? #1 Olson vs #2 Hawn is a GREAT matchup not to mention the rest of the card….
I am behind ya on this one Mark, granted things could have been handled better but i was literally inside the cage and i didn’t hear any of what mark shouted. Not that i can say it was right or that i can’t understand why people are saying what they are about it, just saying i was in the cage and didn’t hear it.
Part of this is my fault too, as a trainer and corner you have to know what motivates a fighter. Every fighter is different. Some guys thrive off the whole testosterone-fueled, in your face shouting. Some do better with just some calm, last minute instructions. Some prefer no talking. some like to be told it’s gonna be over in 15 minutes one way or another and no one is gonna care either way win/lose/draw a day from now. Everyone is different…
Mark fights on emotion. I used the earlier incident, which was just a total misunderstanding, to pump him up while standing in the cage waiting to fight.
Every fighter reading this will understand what i’m about to say. To the fans in the crowd, reporters, people watching at home, judges, refs etc they often times don’t get to see what’s going on in that “tunnel” right before a fighter walks out. some guys are literally shaking they are so scared, others who are normally laid back are foaming at the mouth with adrenaline and hatred, some can be seen praying. i’ve heard of guys in tears. all kinds of wild sh*t going on.
Mark is a guy who goes in there 100% prepared to die. Before you judge him on his actions last weekend ask yourself when the last time was that you were about to willingly participate in an activity that you honestly believed may kill or seriously injure you to the point where you have to ask your brother or your corner man just before you do it to please take care of your children if you should die or be seriously injured and unable to provide for your family.
sure we all know the probability of something like that happening is low but you can’t tell that to the guy in the on-deck circle.
My point is that MMA FIGHTING IS SOME SERIOUSLY F’D UP SH*T. if you were in a situation where you had to ask that of someone you probably wouldn’t be thinking all too clearly or at the very least you’d be in a different state of mind.
If you’ve ever been in the cage you know how surreal it is. And for many it’s not just the actual fight that is surreal but even the weigh-ins and those strange few hours leading up to a show. Seemingly simple things like getting your family a couple tickets or mats on the floor or how close by a bathroom is become hugely important. The whole thing is crazy. Even the most experienced, composed fighter steps “outside of himself” for that moment so i really think it’s important to see things from mark’s pov and try to keep things in perspective. he didn’t walk into a pre school and whip it out, he shouted the f bomb seconds after fighting for his life inside a cage in front of a large crowd.
I can honestly say, and i know it doesn’t seem like it from an outsider looking in, that mark is easily the most genuine and loyal guy at SSSF as well as a great teacher. I’d be totally surprised if anybody from our team said different. If i didn’t know him maybe i’d think otherwise but i swear if you know him you know that he’s good, good people.
(also, mark doesn’t drink so not sure where varner came up with the stuff about him having a drinking problem. mark has no drinking problem, he’s just insane.)
I had to explain that Mark’s really a great guy to Gary who i also can not say one bad word about and consider a friend more than just a guy i do biz with. Nothing but good experiences dealing with him and cfx. (except for that time they paid my purse in something called “varner-bucks” that ended up only being accepted at some club in p-town called the cock pit.)
Running a show is no walk in the park and there’s a lot of stress and bs. I certainly can’t say i wouldn’t have done the same thing in Gary’s shoes on that night.
Bottom line is that when you promise two guys that they can both ride shotgun on the way to dairy queen after the show things can get a little heated. but we worked out a plan to make everybody happy, we ended up going to mcdonald’s. (Diekman wanted a toy from a happy meal and we were not about to tell him no). Mark sat on Gary’s lap in the front seat and we all lived happily ever after. the end.
holy **** sorry for the novel
C’mon guys with the language……MY KIDS READ THIS SITE! (kidding)
I think that is the most communication I have ever seen or heard from Scott since meeting him over 10 years ago (all inclusive). So I know that it’s real and thanks for that insight.
I think what bothers me the most (even more than “varner-bucks”) is the whole “it’ll be over in 15 minutes” thing. Not only creepy, but very impressive. I would like to get a consult from your physician if you can really go 15. As you boys say at sssf……..get it in!
Let’s move on!
First off, to rick, duley noted, thanks for the advise and i will, in the future keep my emotions in check(to a degree). We all, as well as even me, learn from our mistakes.
Secondly, to scott, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a great friend and for having my back…not to sound redonkulous, but i acctually got misty-eyed in my cubicle reading that. I’m sure that others have my back, but i thank you for vocalizing it. It means the world to me.
In thinking back and seeing Mark G earlier post I may of been wrong regarding Mark being drunk the night of the fullforce event in Brockton. Mark was indeed being thrown out but I may of wrongly acussed him of being drunk. There was someone involved that was drunk and perhaps it was the other party. Regardless I sill felt the need to exspress my thought regarding your behavior that night.
So I go on record that Mark is no drunk!
SCOTT…. Your the one who came up with the name “Varner Bucks”. Remember that weekend when you asked for some of my bills to give to that stripper! When he asked you how you came up with the money to give him you said My boy Varner gave them to me. Thats how the prase “Varner Bucks” was born
Thanks mike, much appreciated…..and lets scratch that whole grappling idea, I must have been wasted when i typed that;)…besides I only grapple with my shorts ON.
When did MMA become filled with fags? Mark running around cursing was probably one of his better-behaved moments at an event. I support him and his potty mouth
Now can we have a group hug ? Seriously emotions run high in and around that cage. I’M just glad nobody handed Mark a friggin chair, LOL.
Christian Morecraft signs with the UFC!
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/inside_the_octagon/index.php/2010/06/06/morecraft-inks-with-the-ufc/
morecraft just sighned a 4 fight contract with the ufc !!
congrats to Christian!! well done !!