Cage Titans “Mayhem”
By Grant Tremelling

Mike Polvere put together a Great show this past Friday at Lombardo’s in Randolph.  I had never been to this venue before and was impressed first by the use of space and second how fluidly everything moved.  There was a projection screen for some of the fighter interdictions as well as intermission entertainment.  I have been at other shows in ballrooms and function rooms and always feel cramped but this venue felt spacious and I credit a good layout.  I was impressed also by the matchmaking, almost every fight I saw was a battle and there weren’t any overly lopsided fights.  The house was pretty full from the beginning of the night and legitimately packed by the 6^th fight.  Great job to Mike and his team, I look forward to seeing more of these events.  

135 – Alandre Martinez (0-0, Wai Kru) vs Davis Roast (0-0, Sityodtong)

Both men come out stalking, looking to bang.  Alandre is in a southpaw and davis is circling looking for an opening. Davis lands a huge left hook right uppercut that rocks alandre.  Alandre recovers quickly and gets a takedown on davis.  After a bit of a battle davis gets a reversal and starts to work GNP from the top.  Nothing huge is landing but they are big strikes.  Alandre curls in to fend off a flurry so Davis locks in a 1 arm guillotine, stands and wraps his legs to end the round.

Davis seems much more confident and comes out the aggressor throwing kicks though nothing lands clean.  Alandre ties up for a takedown but gets reversed landing Davis on top.  Alandre is doing a good job of attempting submissions and keeping davis broke down, he goes for a armbar but davis pulls out and takes his back.  He locks in the Rear naked choke for the win.

Winner Davis Roast: Via RNC at 1:49 of round 2

155 – Nate Oses (0-1, Team BMAC) vs Rob Font (0-0, Sityodtong)

Nate comes out and lands a huge leg kick but eats 3 punches to the face in return.  Nate throws another kick with a similar result but both kicks were huge.  Rob throws a wild 3 punch combo that drops him.  These two are beasts, neither is holding back.  Nate gets guard and rob capitalizes on his position with some strong ground and pound.  Landing a number of HUGE rights by poping up to stand and quickly throwing a strike every time nate opens his guard, which is often because he is working lots of subs.  One of them bloody’s nates nose and he is starting to look worse for the wear.  Nate goes for a triangle which rob uses to almost pass but gets swept, and nate passes to side control.  The round ends with Nate working a kimura.

Nate comes out and shoots a big double running rob into the cage to finish it.  He is trying to pass but rob wont let him posture.  Rob throws up a quick triangle but its on the end of his foot and nate escapes to side.  From here he works some ground and pound but isn’t doing much damage.  He seems to be going for more submissions than damage.  Rob does a great job of defending submissions but keeps loosing position.  Rob regains guard and they remain there the rest of the round, Nate lands a few from the top but mostly short punches.

Nate comes out looking a little fresher than rob, he throws a kick but eats a cross, both land hard.  Nate comes back looking for a takedown and rob looks to reverse but nate is able to change angles and finish the takedown.  There are a lot of scrambles and nate is getting the better of them positionally, he isn’t doing much damage but is controlling.  He goes for a fast armbar out of nowhere and rob escapes but somehow nate is able to get back on top and rob doesn’t have much left.  The round ends.

Winner by decision Nate Oses

I agree with the decision based on rounds, But rob did some serious damage in the first round, I think he might have broken Nate’s nose.  Big props to nate for keeping it together and coming back for the win. 

155 – Shaun Shubert (0-2, Eclectic Karate) vs Bill Keeley (1-0, SSSF)

Shaun comes out without hesitation and throws a pretty big kick to the body that lands, but bill uses it to take him down.  Bill starts landing big blows from the mount and but Shaun does a decent job of defending most of them.  Bill lands another flurry and the ref calls it.  It looked like it could have been a little early but Shaun was getting dominated. 

Winner Bill Keeley at :48 seconds of the first round.
140 – #8 Ranked 135lb Josh Lopez (3-0, AFT) vs Billy Giovanella (2-0, Connors MMA)

Billy comes out pushing the action and is able to tie up josh against the cage, Josh stays calm but billy gets low and finishes a huge double leg picking him up and dropping him.  Josh shows great control off of his back and almost gets an armbar though billy does a great job of getting out and staying on top.  Billy times up a kick from josh to land a smooth double then moves josh into the cage.  Billy has control but has his hips up and head down.  Josh locks up behind billys head and uses it to get an armbar but the angle isn’t quite right, billy cant escape but waits the 10 seconds for the round end  and the ref separates them. 

Billy stalks josh and ties up, josh does a good job of defending a takedown against the fence and somehow gets around to billys back.  It looks like he almost has an RNC locked in but billy is able to wiggle out.  Josh flattens him out and is trying to work some headstrikes.  Josh is exhibiting good control but isn’t doing that much damage.  Josh after a minute or so sloughs off one side to go for an armbar but billy moves to counter and there isn’t enough time in the round to finsh. 

 Josh seems a bit more fresh than billy at this point but bill pushes forward and ties up for a takedown attempt as soon as josh is in range.  Josh backpedals to the cage and then defends the takedowns for a while before bill can pull him off the cage with a single and get the takedown.  Josh is working well from the bottom but billy is able to wiggle out of the multiple submission attempts.  Josh locks up a triangle and is cinching it in as the round ends.

Decision Billy Giovanella
Hvy – Zach Zamzow (0-1, Team KAOS) vs Anthony Pepdjonovic (0-0, Best Way BJJ)

Anthony comes out swinging and lands a few big combinations.  Zach seems stunned and backpedals, Anthony gets a takedown and pounds from side control to get the finish. 

Winner Anthony Pepdjonovic at :36 of the first round. 

Anthony seems to have good hands especially for his size and might be someone to keep an eye on. 
145 – #6 Ranked 145lb Sergio Cabrera (2-0, Team BMAC) vs Brett Morris (2-0, Rivera MMA)

Brett comes out and immediately lands a quick 1-2.  Sergio immediately ties up and starts looking for the takedown.  Bret does a great job defending and lands some big punches from the clinch in the process.  Sergio gets the better of a scramble and is able to get bret down and then moves into his guard.  Brett works an armbar and Sergio spikes him but brett hangs on.  Sergio is able to get out of the armbar and work some ground and pound.  Brett is staying active on the ground but Sergio seems to have the answer for most of what he is trying.  Sergio is able to posture and throw bombs that land to the head about 3 times before the round ends. 

Brett comes out and throws a massive head kick that just barely soars over Sergio as he ducks.  Sergio catches his back and brett is able to turn in but gets taken down in the process.  Sergio is trying to work GNP but isn’t landing much clean, Brett works an armbar but Sergio is able to get out and posture for a few big strikes.  Sergio is now standing in brets guard and landing massive strikes to the body and a few big ones to the head.  The round ends, Bret looks frustrated at the end of the round, he took a fair amount of damage but doesn’t look too worse for the wear. 

Bret comes out and lands a few well placed strikes to the head standing.  He then ties up with Cabrera who takes him down.  Sergio isn’t doing as much damage this time but he is comfortable  maintaining control.  Sergio lands one or two more little strikes to end the round. 

Winner Sergio Via Unanamous decision
135 – #10 Ranked 135lb Dan Cormier (3-1, Team United) vs #4 Ranked 135lb Dat Tran (3-1, Sityodtong)

Dat elects not to tap hands and Dan comes out wild landing 2 big blows to the head  and gets a takedown after some great sprawling and cage defence from dat.  Dat escapes and they stand.  Dan lands 2 huge rights to the head (overhand right/hook) then a right to the body and a left hook that all rock Dat who recovers quickly to clinch. Dat gets in a few strikes before Dan is able to get another takedown.  Dan is working some vicious ground and pound but Dat is staying active and defends most of it. 

Dan comes out with a left hook that lands and then comes in again to strike but decides instead to shoot when he sees Dat switch his hips.  Dat is able to get guard and Dan looks to pass instead of do damage.  Dat squirms back to the cage and uses it to stand but dan is able to stick to his legs and get another takedown once he is up and then a quick pass.  Dat exposes his neck in a scramble and Dan gets a forearm under his chin  and rolls under him for a guillotine attempt.  The round ends moments after when Dat free’s himself. 

Dat comes out cautious of the takedown.  As soon as Dan shoots Tran sprawls hard on him and then lands a big knee to the stomach.  Dan re-shoots but doesn’t seem to be able to get out from under him.  Dat is able to muscle him onto his back and then mount him and unleash big strikes from the top.  After about 5 unanswered the reff steps in.

Winner by TKO Dat Tran at of 1:21 Round 3

WOW great fight, Dan did a great job of dominating the early rounds but Dat was never really out of it, in the third Dat used his window and was able to Finish, great showing by both fighters. 
140 – Shayne Stephenson (0-0, Lakeville MMA) vs Matt Tullos (0-0, Connors MMA)

The men meet in the middle and it seems as if Shayne tried to punch matt instead of tap hands, Matt quickly lands a big hook in return and then they both take a step back and shoot into each other.  They scramble for a while and Shayne looks to have the better of it until Matt gets low and picks up Shayne for a huge slam.  Shayne is on the bottom working a kimura, there is scramble then Matt is on the bottom with a locked in armbar.  Shayne Spikes him to get out of it and matt pulls guard.  Matt is very active from the bottom looking for sweeps, Shayne lets his head down for a minute and matt is able to lock in a guillotine.  After a few moments Shayne gets out but matt is able to regain some position and finishes a really technical slow motion takedown.  The round ends. 

Shayne comes out with his hands by his side and throws a looping kick.  They square up then Matt is able to get a takedown.  Shayne is turning away and matt is able to land 4 big knees to his upper thigh.  Matt mounts then locks in a really tight head and arm choke but Shayne is able to roll to the top, matt rolls him back to his back then uses the high mount to pound away for the TKO stoppage. 

Winner Matt Tulos as 2:15 of the second round.

Matt looked great that fight, really well rounded.  Shayne had a lot of heart and definitely pushed the pace but matt was able to stay calm and pick his moments. 
135 – Tom Benjamin (2-3, Team KAOS) vs #6 Ranked 135lb Rico DiSciullo (2-0, Sityodtong)

Rico is fired up in his corner pacing back and forth.  They touch hands and Rico flips the switch, he throws a huge right with his whole body behind it that lands then eats a punch or two, and drops Tom with another huge right.  Tom is on his knees and Rico lands another just as big.  He gets in one more on Tom before the ref realizes he is out.

Winner by KO at :09 of Round 1

This kid is fierce, no fear and every strike has his whole body behind it.  I am not sure if I have seen a 135 hit that hard. 

170 – Fernando Victor (0-0, Team BMAC) vs Zach Costello (2-0, MAXX)

The fight starts with Zach stalking Fernando, he lands a jab cross right away and then they clinch.  Zach is looking for a takedown and they scramble a bit before Fernando is able to reverse him.  Fernando leaves his head down during an awkward position against the cage and Zach is able to pull him into a guillotine.  Zach cinches down and Fernando is forced to tap.

Winner via Guillotine Choke at 1:09 of Round 1

Zach looks like a pretty powerful 170, Fernando seemed very technical but was just overwhelmed. 

185 Ammy Title
#2 Ranked 185lb Joe Palazio (2-1, Allaire) vs #1 Ranked 185lb Sloppy Joe Lamoureaux (5-1, SSSF)  

Sloppy charges in and immediately starts working for a takedown.  He gets Palazio down and starts to work some ground and pound but Palazio does a good job defending.  Sloppy takes side control but palazio hip’s out and gets half guard.  During a scramble Palazio is able to take Sloppy’s back as he stands and starts working a rear naked.  The round ends.

Sloppy again charges in this time securing a one handed clinch and throwing uppercuts hockey fight style.  He lands a few then pushes palazio to the cage and gets a monster takedown that shakes the ground.  Sloppy moves to mount and starts pounding away.  Palazio is trying to turn but cant do much. Sloppy recognizes Palazio is starting to wilt and lays it on.  The ref stops it after a barrage of unanswered strikes from the top.

Winner By TKO Sloppy Joe Lamoureaux at 1:21 of round 2

145 Ammy Title
#1 Ranked 145lb Andre Soukhamthath (3-0, Team United) vs #2 Ranked 145lb Frank Sforza (3-0, SSSF)

The crowd is crazy for this fight, they have positioned the cheering sections for each across from the cage from each other and they are having at it before the fighters even get in the cage.

They elect not to touch gloves and andre starts to circle.  Frank see’s andre near the cage and shoots for a takedown, he gets control and picks andre up for a huge slam.  Andre maintains composure and gets guard.  Frank is trying to work GNP but andre is doing a good job of defending .  Andre pushes off to make space and frank takes side control.  Andre regins half, frank postures and tries to get position. And Andre uses the scramble to end up in franks guard.  After a few strikes from Andre they stand.  Andre goes for a huge flying knee that lands to the chest and they tie up against the cage. 

I think at this point the entire crowd is either cheering for frank or andre. Everyone is on their feet.

They meet in the middle and as frank comes in andre lands an uppercut and a hook.  Frank changes levels and gets a leg for the takedown.  Andre has frank in his a guard. Every time frank postures to strike Andre does a great job of covering up but he isn’t mounting much offence from his back.  Frank is staying high and controlling but also not doing much damage from the top.  At this point frank is in Andre’s half guard with Andre against the cage he lands 2 nice shots and the round ends. 

Andre comes out and lands a big teep.  He is trying to keep frank at a distance but frank takes a punch to the head and a knee to get in and get the takedown. Again frank is sitting in half guard trying to do damage and Andre is doing his best to defend from his back.  Frank is staying active and trying to do damage but isn’t landing much.  The ref separates them and Andre comes in with a high kick.  Frank catches it and pushes him to the cage, Andre defends the takedown and the round ends.

Both men come out looking exhausted.  Frank seems a little tentative to close the distance, Andre comes in but frank changes levels for a single that he turns into a trip.  Andre hits the ground hard against the cage.  Andre is in half guard again, and frank is starting to land a little more but to the body not the head.  Out of nowhere Andre has a deep armbar but frank spikes him and gets out.  Frank gets side control and continues to grind Andre but not much damage is done. 

Andre opens the round with a snapping kick, frank ducks into it and catches it in the upper arm but gets the other leg for the takedown.  Frank postures and Andre attemps a triangle as he comes back down.  Frank is able to posture out of it and then passes his legs to get side control.  Frank chips away at Andre with little shots for the remainder of the round. 

Winner by Unanimous Decision Frank Sforza

Hvy – Sandor Binkley (0-0, NEMMA) vs Tyler King (1-0, Connors MMA)

Tyler starts off by shooting for a big takedown.  Sandor is able to get half guard then starts working a sweep.  Tyler quickly flattens Sandor and starts to pepper his head from half.  Tyler has trouble making space so he starts elbowing the thigh which coaxes sandor to put his hand up and tyler starts to look for a head and arm choke but can’t get his leg free to finish.  Tyler changes strategy and starts to try to mount.  He can’t free a leg so switches to an Americana/key lock and cranks for the tap. 

Winner Tyler King at 3:07 of round 1 Via “Kimura”
155 – Billy Walsh (2-5, UFAI) vs Nick Newell (3-0, FAA)

Nick immediately takes the center of the ring and lands a huge right and then a left elbow and many more rights that crumple billy.  As billy folds against the cage nick mounts him and continues to pound away with elbows.  Nick changes to a super tight armbar really fast and pushes his hips through for the finish. 

Winner by Armbar at 1:24 of the first round

My hat is off to Nick, great fight, he’s super aggressive and really well rounded.   
145 – #10 Ranked 145lb Ruben Rey (4-1, Team Rockstar) vs Shaun Marmas (2-1, Integrated Martial Arts)

I think the remaining fans in the house are Rubens cause everyone is going nuts again.  They clinch and Ruben throws a few knees.  Shawn tries to get behind him but Ruben lands a MONSTER hip toss that lands Shaun on his head. He mounts and pounds away then as shaun turns his back he goes for an armbar and it looks deep.  I am really surprised Shaun does not tap to the armbar.  Shaun escapes and Ruben is on bottom.  Ruben misses a triangle attempt and Shaun controls from the top for a while but doesn’t do much damage.  As they scramble Shaun is showing great control. And eventually flattens Ruben out.  They stand and Ruben gets an unorthodox takedown against the cage.  Shaun squirms to get control then puts his hooks in and starts banging on the side of rubens head.  The round ends. 

Ruben starts the round with a back leg kick to the body that lands flush.  Shaun tries to throw a kick and slips, Ruben capitalizes and moves into his guard.  Shaun works a guillotine but lets it go when he can’t get a good angle, he works a crucifix to try to get Ruben off but Ruben is stuck to him.  The ref stands them up.  Ruben looks real tired but lands a big kick to the body again.  Ruben is fighting with his hands at his hips but comes in and lands two big rights and then another hip toss.  Shaun takes his back from the bottom in side control and then after a scramble ends up in the mount.  Ruben turns his back and Shaun gets his hooks in and starts peppering the side of his head with shots, but they aren’t hard or in rapid enough succession to stop the fight.  The round ends

Ruben starts the round with a jab and a jab cross that land.  He doesn’t have much on his punches but they are landing.  He lands another 3 and a knee but Shaun is able to circle off the cage.  Then returns with some offence of his own.  Ruben is fighting with his hands down and Shaun unloads with a 4 punch combo a knee and another flurry.  They are against the cage trading knees.  Shaun starts to get the better of the battle and lands a knee to the body and two to the face.  Ruben is half gone but puts everything he has into a right that drops Shaun.  Shaun drops to the matt and Ruben lands another monster strike standing over him.  Shaun is out but the reff doesn’t see it and ruben falls on him because he is so exhausted.  He lands another 2 strikes and the ref calls it. 

Winner Via KO Ruben Rey at 2:20 of Rnd 3

Amazing fight, it looks like Ruben was slipping away but then he pulled it together to get the knockout.  Big heart. 

135 – #10 Ranked 135lb Barrington Douse (6-9, AFT) vs Christian Rivera (4-10, Dragon Warrior)

Barrington starts stalking Christian and lands a few straight rights and a kick.  Christian isn’t backing down but he is starting to move side to side to try to avoid Barrington’s attack.  Barrington continues to stalk Christian, at one point he takes a stiff inside leg kid and smiles it off.  He clinches and starts throwing knee’s on Christian but Christian gets in an uppercut and a hook.  Barrington is much bigger than Christian and has backed him into the cage with the clinch.  Christian slips and Barrington starts to work a choke from over the top/behind him then gets his hooks in but Christian wiggles out.  Barrington again gets the hooks in but this time has one of Christian’s arms and the choke already sunk and Squeezes for the finish.

Winner Barrington Douse at 3:24 of Round 1 Via RNC