Cage Titans Invasion Review
From Old School and Grant Tremelling

The Cage Titan Crew got back at it in outstanding fashion. Last night, January 28th, at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA, promoter Mike Polvere & Co descended on Americas homeland for Cage Titans Invasion. Even with the added seats to the floor, Mike sold the house out. The crowd was enthusiastic and Memorial Hall was rocking.

This fight card had stories to last for weeks. The Fighting Cardarelli’s father/son team of Mark and Remo, backed up by three generations of Cardarelli fans, ignited the crowd as both dad and son each came away with big wins in their respective debuts. Their home town of Uxbridge closed down the IGA and the bowling alley and everyone took the night off to visit Plymouth and witness the event. Pro Elite teammates Bobby Flynn and Brian Sparrow each won their fights with submission that were so note worthy that they were 1-2 in Submission of the Night voting, and we all thought Pro Elite was a striking school; not any more! Kurt Chase-Patrick put on a submission and transition clinic for the ages when he handed Rico DiSciullo his second loss in a row. If you ever have the chance to see Kurt fight, do it!

There was some talk about Todd the Fraud. I think these fans were referring to Mass Comish Todd Grossman (but I could be wrong) and his choice to use his position of authority to disallow Fernanda Aruja and Peggy Morgan to fight because Fernanda is in the USA on a student visa and, therefore, does not have a valid social security #. (Combat Zone hosted the fight in New Hampshire, where the commission assists fighters and promoters rather than rule over them with a politically iron fist!) Fernanda v Peggy was chosen as NorthEastMMA Fight of the Night up in the Granite State the night before.

Barrington “Not Such A Bad Guy Once You Get To Know Him” Douse was going through a McDonalds drive-thru when he called Mike Polvere upon hearing that Louis Felix had come up injured 36 hours before the Cage Titans Main Event. He threw the McMuffin in the trash and three hours later he was in Eastern Mass ready to weigh in. After 15 hours of Mass Commission red tape and a few other crazy hoops to jump through, The Douse Man was in! He took the fight against Jimbo Slice Davidson as the Main Event, thus saving the day, a few hours before weigh-ins. “Mike Polvere has always been good to me, and I wanted to pay him back,” Barrington told me. Well, Barrington, you guys are even…

The arena was crawling with heavy hitters too many to mention, but I’ll give her a try; Lobo, Banana, Andre, Kumite, Shelly the Waitress, Brandi, Reep, Keeghan, Nick and Leon, Old School Babs, G P Matt, Impact Mike, on and on… Joe the Artist has been battling illness lately and I was very happy to see him in the house. I was told that this person known as Todd the Fraud was not in attendance, but I am not in that loop, so I can’t really say for sure.
Let’s get to the action…

Under Card

Fight #1
140 lb Amateur
Brian Squadrille (0-0) Nova Uniao
George Nassar (1-0) Maxx Training

Round 1
The bell sounds and George is the first to take the center. Brian quickly chops out one of his legs with a kick and George finds himself on his back throwing upkicks. Brian, after some angling, gets through the kicks but ends up catching an up kick on the way in. George is able to get up. Brian stumbles during an exchange because of what looks like a slip and George is quick to charge for the takedown. Brian is on his back against the cage and George is staying active on top with strikes but mostly to the body. George postures and gets a few good ones to the head in but Brian makes space taking some of the pepper off of the strikes. George maintains control and takes top position again then postures and lands one a big right to the brains as the round ends.

Round 2
Brian looks pretty beat up to start round 2, George takes the center and goes to work with combinations, then drives to the cage with double underhooks and gets a throw landing in side control. Brian gets back half while taking some damage, and eventually gets full guard. George is staying active and posturing to land strikes when he can but Brian seems to have an active guard that is keeping him from doing too much damage. George is able to work out of any attempts and continues his onslaught. Brian creates some space and stands; George quickly comes in with strikes then tries to turn it into a hockey fight with a few looping strikes. Brian keeps him honest with a few counters before George charges to the cage and gets another takedown. George maintains control for the rest of the round landing a few more strikes to the body and head.

Round 3
Brian seems to have gotten a second wind in between rounds and comes out looking fresh. George is looking for blood with every strike. George Is throwing everything at Brian but the kitchen sink, Brian clinches mid exchange and George jumps guard. Brian’s jujitsu instinct kicks in and he rips through George’s guard into mount before pounding away prompting George to turn his back. The onslaught continues forcing the referee to stop the contest.

Winner via referee stoppage Brian Squadrille at 1:03 of Round 3
I think this one was stopped a little early, but I’m not completely convinced that given more time George could have gotten out of the position.

Fight #2
185 lb Amateur
Tony Derienzo (1-0) Lauzon MMA
Nick Muto (1-0) Seth Silva

Round 1
The men meet in the center and Nick starts pawing at Tony, Tony looks extremely calm. Nick drives Tony into the cage and there is a brief pause to re-latch the gate. Tony turns Nick into the fence and starts throwing, there’s a lot of dirty boxing going on and it’s tough to see what’s landing clean. Nick starts walking Tony back and throwing uppercuts as he pulls his head down. Tony finds the fence at his back and the dirty boxing from Nick continues. Nick gets Tony pinned on the fence and throws some big uppercuts, but whenever the pressure is off Tony makes space and throws some of his own. Tony is ducking his head so Nick starts working for a guillotine, but Tony calmly works out of it, throwing body blows. The bell rings and Tony finds himself in the wrong corner, but the ref quickly helps him find the right one.

Round 2
Nick looks pretty tired; Tony is sitting in his corner, not breathing too hard. They meet in the middle again and Tony throws a jab but Nick returns with a combination that lands and then drives Tony into the cage. Tony is having trouble getting off the cage for a while and is ducking his head into uppercuts a lot. Nick is staying really active and Tony doesn’t seem to have much of an answer for the onslaught, he is getting in the occasional punch but Nick is landing combination after combination. Tony is able to make space right as the round ends.

Round 3
Tony meets Nick in the middle but doesn’t seem to have much left. Nick is bullying him around the cage and Tony is desperately trying to make space. Nick continues the dirty boxing working both the head and body. Tony is able to punch off the cage and pins Nick against the opposite fence, he is throwing knees but one clips Nick in the groin and the action is stopped momentarily. The action resumes quickly and they pick right up where they left off. Tony seems to be throwing harder but isn’t landing with near the frequency of Nick. Nick drives into the cage for a single but is unsuccessful, Tony makes a little space and puts together his best combinations of the fight but its too little too late.

Winner Nick Muto via Unanimous Decision

Fight #3
150 lb Amateur
David Espino (0-0) Team Trifecta
Mark Cardarelli (0-0) USMMA

Round 1
They meet in the center; Mark is circling and David in a low stance. David throws an early head kick that misses, Mark seems to be patiently looking for an opening. Mark tries for a takedown but gets reversed and ends up on his back. David is putting together some good offence but Mark is able to escape without much damage and gets a slick takedown from the bottom. David locks up a guillotine that Mark uses to pass. David almost sweeps Mark but Mark catches his back on his way up. Mark is glued to David’s back with an arm tied up and transitions to a choke. Mark is getting a little high but is somehow able to maintain control; David is unable to escape as the round ends.

Round 2
Mark stalks to the center and David throws a glancing leg kick. They exchange then Mark jumps guard with a guillotine. David is able to pull out after a few moments, Mark locks up a rubber guard then looks like he might get an omoplata but David is wise to it and steps over. Mark gets to his knees and David is sprawling on him. Mark goes for a takedown and David counters well again but Mark gets slippery and takes his back. Mark gets ahold of an arm and tries to make some magic happen for an arm bar but David is able to step over and counter where they get stuck and stay as the round ends.

Round 3
Mark comes out and with a jab and looping head strike. David keeps him at bay with some strikes but Mark is able to evade. Mark shoots a big takedown, gets side control, then gets a high back control, but David is able to shake him off and get top control. Mark is quickly out from under him and gets to his back again. He postures for a strike but almost loses control so latches back onto his opponents back. He is looking for a rear naked choke but is having trouble finishing. He gets a little high with the choke and David is able escape landing a few light strikes as the round ends.

Winner Mark Cardarelli via Unanimous Decision

Fight #4
170 lb Amateur
Brian Sparrow (1-0) Pro Elite
Philipe Martins (0-0) Dragon Lair

Round 1
Philipe wastes no time working leg kicks and then Brian returns with a few flashy kicks to keep Phil at bay. Phil is giving up some considerable length and as sparrow comes in he shoots for a takedown. Brian ties up a head and an arm and sprawls hard on Philip before driving into the cage and throwing knees to the legs and body. As soon as any space is made Brian starts to tee off with haymakers to Phil’s head. Phil stumbles away but Brian jumps on him with the quickness of a Sparrow……. Brian locks up an anaconda and gator rolls but Phil is defending pretty well at first, during the scramble Brian clamps down and ends up on top but cinches in the choke for the tap.

Winner Via Tapout (anaconda?) Brian Sparrow

Fight #5
185 lb. Amateur
Mike Rodriguez (0-0) Team Trifecta
Stephen Kimball (0-0) Team KAOS

Round 1
Mike takes the center and lands a massive inside leg kick and follows it up with a cross that rocks Stephen, who stumbles to the cage. Mike pounces and the ref looks like he is about to stop it as Stephen recovers some, but Mike keeps pouring it on with looping strikes to the head standing, over Stephen forcing the referee to call the fight.

Winner Mike Rodriguez via Stoppage due to strikes at 0:17 of round 1

Fight #6
125 lb. Amateur
Jessie Pires (0-0) Team BKJA
Remo Cardarelli (0-0) USMMA

Round 1
They take the center and both look a little tentative. Remo is finding his range, Jessie is the first to land a combination and 2 strikes land. Remo gets some space and collects himself then gets right back into Jessie’s range and fires back. Jessie is having some success with his 1-2 connecting again. Remo is landing crosses but won’t stay in the pocket. Jessie connects big and Remo stumbles; Remo was on his heels but settles his feet and reengages, cutting off the cage then shooting for a single; he gets the single moments before the bell.

Round 2
Jessie opens the round with a good combination off of a Remo misstep, but Remo catches the kick at the end of the combination with a takedown. Jessie is able to escape and when Remo tries to take his back locks up his head. Jessie transitions to a good guillotine, Remo steps over to the mount and waits for his opponent to tire, popping his head out and striking from the top. Jessie rolls him and Remo locks up a triangle, then transitions to an armbar that is a little loose then back to a triangle that Jessie is able to escape for the pass. Remo is able to tie up jessie’s arms so he can’t do too much damage in the final seconds of the round.

Round 3
Again they square off, both seem hesitant to engage, then Remo lands a 1-2-2 that seems to stun Jessie. He clips him with another cross then Jessie returns with a combination of his own. It seems these two have warmed up to each other because they are trading punches in bunches. Jessie throws a looping hook and Remo shoots under it punning him against the cage before adjusting, getting his hips under himself, and finishing the takedown. Remo gets side control and is dropping hammerfists, then uses his shin to pin jessie’s arm and strikes but Jessie turns his back to protect, Remo can’t take his back but as Jessie turns back into him Remo gets mount and is throwing bombs at his opponents face. Jessie is able to get his legs up under Remo’s arms near the end to protect himself right as the round ends but the damage has already been done.

Winner Remo Cardarelli Via Unanimous Decision

As the winner is announced you can’t help but notice father Cardarelli has not yet found his shirt, but has found his way into the ring to congratulate his son.

Fight #7
170 lb. Amateur
Jeff Hsu (1-0) Team Trifecta
Ethan Wager (0-0) Lakeville MMA

Round 1
Jeff calmly walks to the center; his opponent is bouncing around like mad. Jeff calms him down with a two punch combo that lands, Ethan throws back but Jeff evades. Jeff pushes to the cage, gets Ethan to the ground and starts working some ground and pound. He starts to pass but Ethan gets a leg in the way so Jeff goes back to guard postured and throws bombs to Ethan’s face before trying to pass again when he covers up. Ethan gets stuck in half guard again but is able to land some great ground and pound. Jeff keeps trying to pass but Ethan continues to counter his efforts, so Jeff punishes him with strikes every time Ethan regains his A guard.

Round 2
Ethan opens with a leg kick and eats a cross down the pipe from Jeff. Jeff pushes to the cage and ties up before getting a takedown and again gets to work with his G&P. Ethan is not able to mount much offense but is keeping Jeff from passing. Ethan gets ahold of Jeff’s arm and wants a kimura, but Jeff is positioning himself so Ethan can’t finish. Jeff gets his arm back and gets back to work, passing to half, getting pushed back to full guard, then striking from the top.

Round 3
Jeff takes the center and Ethan throws an angry side kick to his thigh. Ethan follows it up with a few strikes; Jeff evades then collects his opponent’s leg and eventually gets the single and has Ethan up against the cage. Jeff is staying low in Ethans guard; Ethan seems to be more active with his attacks this round but Jeff is able to position out of most of them. Ethan is throwing short strikes from the bottom and has Jeff’s posture broken down. Jeff Maintains top control but does not do much damage for the remainder of the round.

Winner Jeff Hsu Via unanimous decision

Fight #8
150 lb. Amateur
Brandon Fleming (5-0) South Shore Sportfighting
Shannon Soares (2-1) Gillette MMA

Both men look amped in their corners and Shannon is the first to throw, Brandon catches the kick on the end of the combination and drops Shannon to the matt in side control. Shannon tries to make space and pushes away but Brandon uses it to stand and lands a few big blows to Shannon’s face standing over him. Shannon is able to get to his feet but Brandon is glued to him and bides his time before getting under him for a big slam. Shannon is able to prevent the bigger strikes from connecting but Brandon is able to put together some offence and has side control. Shannon tries to escape but Brandon gets a hook in, they scramble and the round ends.

Round 2
Brandon opens with a head kick that Shannon blocks, they exchange neither landing big. Brandon gets ahold of a leg again and uses it for another takedown ending up in side control. Shannon has Brandon’s arms tied up so Brandon puts together a string of knee’s to his side before mounting, and then taking his back as he turns to escape. Shannon slips out and gets to his feet but Brandon is on him and gets another takedown. They scramble again but Brandon maintains control, Shannon is able to prevent most damage for the remaining moments of the round.

Round 3
Brandon opens the round with some unorthodox striking, but gets back to his roots and finishes a clean double. He plays top for a little then stands over Shannon throwing strikes, they transition through back control and mount a few times and somehow Shannon finds his way to the top in Brandons guard. Brandon is controlling Shannon;s head and eventually uses the cage for an unorthodox sweep and ends up in mount. He lands a few strikes from the top, then a few more as Shannon turns his back. Shannon gets to his feet at the end of the round and Brandon is on him looking to finish, but is unable to do so before the final bell.

Winner Brandon Flemming Via unanimous Decision.

Main Card

Fight #9
Amateur Lightweight Title
Bobby Flynn (6-2) Pro Elite
Peter Barrett (2-1) MAXX Training
Bobby receives an enormous roar from his new found home fans here on Cape Cod. Peter receives an equally loud ovation from his South Shore homies.

Round 1
Bobby jabs and sticks a body kick. Peter shoots and grabs a double leg; he lifts and slams Bobby, who grabs a guillotine for safety, on the spot. Bobby lets go of the guillotine and locks in an arm bar for the tap out, slick as a smelt!

Winner by Arm Bar @ 0:22 rd 1, Bobby Flynn
Bobby Flynn is the new Cage Titans Lightweight Amateur Champion

Fight #10
Amateur Bantamweight Title
Kurt Chase-Patrick (3-1) ATT
Rico DiSciullo (5-1) Sityodtong
Kurt is a BJJ wizard from ATT Connecticut. Rico is a hard hitting striker from Sityodtong, coming off his only loss. Can Kurt get this fight to the ground? What has Rico done since his last fight? This will be interesting.

Round 1
Kurt nails a takedown off a leg kick and he lands in side control. He works for rear mount and digs in both hooks; he throws some strikes, but Rico fights out of the position. Kurt throws up a triangle from the bottom and transitions to an arm bar. It won’t go, so he throws it back to a triangle. Rico fights through it and Kurt switches to a gogo, but Rico says no no. Kurt goes right after another triangle; Rico battles through it, but Kurt locks in a deep arm bar. Rico stacks to defend and he fights it off. Kurt transitions right to a triangle as the round ends!!! Holy cow!
Old School score Kurt Chase-Patrick 10-9 (I could see a 10-8)

Is it crazy to give a 10-8 to a fighter who really didn’t throw many significant strikes? This kid’s submission/transition game is off the charts. Rico spent the whole first round defending one sub after another.

Round 2
Kurt leg kicks his way into another takedown, and Rico pulls guard. Rico does a nice job of tying this one up. Kurt is trying to posture up, but Rico continues to hold on. They bang a bit but nothing too significant. Kurt finds some space and drops for a leg lock and the ref stops the fight due to verbal tap out.

Winner by Leg Lock @ 1:47 Rd 1, Kurt Chase-Patrick
Kurt’s submission game is on a different level. I have never seen a Pro fighter, let alone an Amateur fighter, transition so smoothly from one sub to another. Kurt is the new Cage Titans Ammy Bantamweight Champ!

Fight #11
150 lb Pro
Lucas Cruz (2-0) Nova Uniao
Jared Roy (0-0) Boneyard

Round 1
They come out trading kicks. Jared engages a Greco clinch along the cage. After a minute, Lucas muscles a takedown into half guard. Jared ties up for a brief time; he tries to sweep but can’t. Lucas stands out and jumps to side control. Lucas is scrambling and he gets to mount, where he tries an arm bar. Jared uses the opportunity to sweep and they stand it up. Lucas nails another takedown as the round ends.
Old School score, Lucas Cruz 10-9

Round 2
Lucas kicks and jabs into another takedown and secures side mount. He adds a few knees and elbows to the equation and grabs rear mount. With hooks in he flattens out Jared and locks on the RNC for the tap!

Winner by RNC @ 1.25 Rd 2, Lucas Cruz
It is announced that Lucas Cruz will face Frank Sforza for the belt in the near future.

Fight #12
140 lb Pro
Johnny Kim (0-1) BKLA
Dat Tran (0-0) Sityodtong
I like that Dat Tran entered to “Painted Black” by the Stones.

Round 1
The boys come out for a kick boxing match and they exchange nicely for the first minute or so, with neither fighter gaining the edge. Tran changes things up a bit when he lands a nice leg kick and punches. Tran grabs a Tai clinch and goes to work throwing knees to the legs and body. Kim tries to respond with his own knees, but this one is all Dat Tran. He is landing knees at will and soon is landing them to the head. The ref has seen enough!!!

Winner by TKO Rd 2, Dat Tran

Fight #13
Middleweight Pro
Sloppy Joe Lamoureux (3-1) SSSF
Shawn Baker (2-3) CCFA
Shawn Baker always enters in full American Indian war feathers, so Sloppy Joe rode in for his entrance as Cow Boy Joe. This is very cool! The crowd is loud as all get out for this. Sloppy must have brought half his home town down here to Plymouth.

Round 1
Sloppy Joe punches into a clinch and works for a Sloppy takedown. He has Shawn in a one armed Sloppy guillotine and he is punching away with the other one. He continues the Sloppy attack, and Baker can’t seem to break the modified guillotine. Sloppy continues the attack until he decides to add the other hand to the choke and he locks in a modified Sloppy standing guillotine for the tap out!

Winner by Sloppy guillotine @ 2:00 or so of Rd 1, Sloppy Joe Lamoureux

Fight #14
Lightweight Pro
Jimbo Slice Davidson (3-0) Sityodtong
Barrington “NSBGOYGTKH” Douse
Barrington Douse took this fight on a few hours notice. Native Cape Codder Jimbo Slice is back home playing in his own sandbox.

Round 1
Barrington comes out cool and relaxed. Jimbo throws a few leg kicks, one of which Douse blocks with his cup! Ouch! (Don’t try this at home.) Back at it, Jimbo tries a takedown that douse defends. Jimbo shoots again and fights hard for a takedown. He gets to side control and goes to work. With Douse defending from his back, the heaviest 155er in New England moves methodically from side to north/south and back to side. Jimbo finds rear mount and the battle continues. Douse is defending really well, but Jimbo isn’t giving it up. He finally gets the desired result with a tap out from the RNC!

Winner by RNC rd 1, Jimbo Slice Davidson
I want to give special props to Barrington “Not Such A Bad Guy Once You Get To Know Him” Douse. Jimmy looked great as he returned to his Cape Cod Roots; ain’t nobody gonna be pissin’ in his cornflakes!

Congratulations to Mike and the Cage Titans crew for another great show.

Here are the OldSchoolFightwear.com Awards:
Fight of the Night- Jesse Pires v Remo Cardarelli
Submission of the Night- Brian Sparrow
K.O. of the Night- Mike Rodriguez
SNAFU of the Night (Year)- The man they call Todd the Fraud
Greatest Performance- Barrington “NSBGOYGTKH” Douse

Congratulations to our award winners. Mike Polvere will have your bonus checks ready by Monday!

Barrington’s fighting spirit and infectious personality are two of the many things that are what’s great about this game.
Old School