WFL Calloway Cup

 

 

As promised we had tons of action at Club Lido in Revere Saturday night.  We saw fifteen fights, yes I said FIFTEEN, and only four made it past the first round.  Diego Santos set the pace for the event with a HUGE 1st Rd. KO and we didn’t slow down from there.  It was a great show so let’s get on to the review.

 

 

 

Fight#1

 

245 lbs

 

Diego Santos (BMAC) vs. James Quelle (Wai Kru)

 

Rd. 1

 

James looks very intense standing in the corner, they come out and touch gloves. Diego lands a heavy leg kick, and then a spinning back kick.  Diego can move for a big fella. James lands a leg kick but eats a right hook for his efforts. Diego lands two more very heavy leg kicks, goes for a takedown but then backs off and lands a big right hook that put James to sleep…

 

Diego Santos wins via KO :36 Rd. 1

 

Just a quick comment on this fight, I know it only lasted :36 seconds but Diego looked very fluid for 245, it was impressive to see technical striking from a guy his size.

 

 

Fight#2

 

180 lbs

 

Mario Ramos (Dragon Lair) vs. Tony Woodman (MMA of Southern Maine)

 

This was a very highly anticipated debut for Mario, the crowd was going crazy during his entrance…

 

Rd.1

 

Touch gloves, Mario slips on a head kick but takes Tony down with a double.  Mario in Tony’s open guard, drops down some hammer fists, Tony turtles, Mario takes advantage of the position and drops some serious damage to Tony with a mix of hammer fists, left and right hooks. The Ref and Doctor stop the fight at the same time.  Tony was cut and not defending, this was a good stoppage, great GNP from Mario.

 

Mario Ramos wins via TKO :33 Rd. 1

 

 

 

Fight#3

 

170 lbs

 

Justin Burrill (SSSF) vs. Mychell Castro (Fisherman’s Den)

 

Rd.1

 

Both fighter’s come out and touch gloves.  Quick exchange of kicks and punches from both fighters.  They clinch and Mychell pulls guard, quick scramble but Justin remains in Mychell’s guard and starts to work the high guard looking for an armbar. Justin picks him up and spikes him to get out.  Now Justin drops into side control.  Mychell does a good job of holding him down.  Justin takes mount and Mychell bucks and rolls, but remains mounted.  Justin lands some punches from on top.  Mychell holds on pulling close to Justin to control him and then Justin pushes his head down and Mychell rolls.  Justin takes his back and gets one hook, then two.  Looks for the RNC but it is across the jaw and not underneath.  Justin lets it go and lands some punches.  Again Justin goes for the RNC on top of a bloodied Mychell and sinks it this time for the tap out.

 

Justin Burrill wins via RNC 2:30 Rd. 1

 

 

At this point I think I’m going to be at Kowloon’s by 10:00.  I can already taste those freakin chicken wings. MMMmmmm chicken wings….

 

 

Fight#4

 

170 lbs

 

John Manley (Team Link) vs. Romulo Romano (Dragon Lair)

 

Rd.1

 

 

They touch and go.  They clinch and John powers Romulo to a corner, Romulo knees, John is doing a good job of controlling Romulo in the clinch.  Romulo gets a throw and lands in John’s guard.  John works rubber guard, Romulo tries to posture, but John has him controlled. Romulo gets to half-guard, and John hips out, Romulo drops a couple punches.  John kicks Romulo off and now Romulo stands over John. Romulo tries to drop a bomb but missies; John pulls Romulo back into half-guard.  John gets to full guard after eating a couple punches.  Romulo tries a standing pass, tries to take his back in the scramble, but can’t get hooks in.  They scramble again and John ends up in Romulo’s guard, Romulo attempts a triangle, John defends and shucks Romulo’s leg over.  They end up in the ropes and the ref stands them up.  They clinch and John starts overpowering Romulo and gets a nice trip.  They land in Romulo’s half-guard, and John immediately looks to pass.  John works to side control, and attempts mount but Romulo is in the ropes.  Now the ref breaks them up because they are stuck in ropes, but instead of restarting in the middle with John in side control he starts them standing???  That made no sense to me as John was clearly in a dominant position.  Team Link is understandably upset. Romulo looks for a takedown and gets a trip.  John is sitting down while Romulo looks to get to side control, John tries to sit up and take Romulo’s back bur Romulo rolls as does John.  Scramble and John pulls guard, Romulo passes to half-guard again gets the standing pass, and the round ends with John in a front head lock.  

 

Rd.2

 

John throws a body kick, and Romulo immediately looks for a double, but John sprawls nicely.  Now John takes Romulo’s back off the sprawl, he is high on Romulo’s back but tries to get his hooks in, he gets one but Romulo does a nice job of defending until john finally gets the second hook.  John is attempting a RNC, Romulo pushes it off.  Romulo is defending nicely while John looks to his corner for advice. Romulo spins but John takes mount, they scramble and Romulo gets to side control, that was a very nice technical display of Jiu-Jitsu by both.  Romulo throws some light strikes but John is defending.  Romulo gets to mount and looks to posture, throws some punches but John holds him down. John bucks, and swings his legs up into Romulo’s pits and kicks him off.  Nicely done.  They clinch and John looks for a double, then a single, they are still on the mat. Romulo attempts a guillotine but it isn’t there. John gets to side control, goes for mount but is denied.  They exchange some light strikes.  John has his knee in Romulo’s throat, and then cranks on Romulo’s head, they scramble, Romulo goes for a double, John sprawls and they roll, Romulo grabs a Kimura and is side control.  John spins but Romulo holds it, he spins again and gets free and ends up in side control and drop some punches as the round comes to a stop.

 

So it took us until the 4th fight to get to a decision, I have it a draw at this point and so do the judges; we are heading to a 3rd round.  Winner of this round wins the fight.

 

Rd. 3

 

They come out and clinch, John looks aggressive and pushes Romulo into a corner, Romulo knees.  John is definitely controlling the clinch as he repeatedly pushes Romulo in the corner. Romulo goes for a double; John’s takedown defense is very good as he stuffs Romulo again.  Romulo rolls again and John ends up in Romulo’s guard, they exchange some punches.  John tries to posture for some GNP, the ref stands them up (good call) Romulo slips on a head kick attempt, and immediately shoots for a double, stuffed once again.  They stand up, John presses, and they clinch, and John again powers Romulo to the corner, a knee by Romulo, but not much on it.  Romulo switches John to the corner. Romulo looks for a double off the clinch but just can’t get him down.  The ten second mark ends with John sprawling against another takedown.

 

TomC gives that round to John for pressing the action, controlling the clinch, and his superb takedown defense…..Judges agree, John wins the round and the fight.

 

John Manley wins via Split Decision 2:00 Rd. 3

 

 

Fight#5

 

180 lbs

 

Shawn Freeman (CAIN) vs. Ryan Hockney (BMAC)

 

Touch gloves and we’re off. Ryan throws a big right but misses and they clinch, they end up on the ground and Ryan drops some punches and knees Shawn in the ass.  Shawn tries to roll to guard, but is denied.  Ryan works Shawn to the middle of the ring.  Now Shawn has Ryan in his half-guard, and Ryan starts dropping down strikes, hammer fists. Ryan gets to Shawn’s back and drops the heat, the Ref has seen enough and stops it.  Shawn was outmanned and the ref justifiably put an end to his night.

 

Ryan Hockney wins via TKO (ref stoppage) :58 Rd. 1

 

 

Fight#6

 

Mike Tierney (MMA of Southern Maine) vs. Lindomar Da Silva (BMAC)

 

They come out and go right at it, Mike goes for a take down off a clinch and takes Lindomar right out of the ring between the 3rd and 4th ropes…….

 

The Doctor is called over as apparently Lindomar hit the ground, he eventually leaves on a stretcher but says he is alright.

 

The fight is ruled a No Contest.  The good news being everyone is alright, and that is what it is important. Cages anyone?

 

 

Fight#8

 

Gabriel Santos (Team Link) vs. Rigo Dominicci (Team Dominicci)

 

Gabriel goes right for it and gets a BIG slam. Immediately gets to side control, keeps control with some light punches, lands hammer fists, and steps up the power.  Now has knee on belly, Rigo rolls and Gabriel takes his back, drops some bombs, and the ref warns of an inadvertent punch to the back of the head. Gabriel gets his hooks in and switches to throwing hooks.  He is landing some BIG punches. The ref stops the fight.  TKO stoppage right?  Yeah not so fast…

 

Rigo is complaining about the punch to the back of the head.  It definitely hurt him, I was sitting about 4 feet from them and every shot landed was big including that one, however the ref did warn Gabriel and EVERY strike Gabriel landed after that was legal.  Now the refs don’t seem to know what to do, rule it a TKO or not. Team Link is pleading their case and wants to know why it isn’t a TKO, everyone seems to be confused including me.

 

My take on it is this…..if the ref determined he was stopping the fight for the punch to the back of the head, then he has to say so AT that moment. Not wait until the fight is stopped due to 6-8 punches that were legal and landed thirty seconds after the illegal strike, that makes no sense. If he was stopping it for the illegal strike then why didn’t he say so and give Rigo a chance to recover? So we wait and wait for them to straighten it out.  In fact, the next fight happens and then they come out with the ruling.

 

The ref says he stopped the fight for the illegal strike, ok then why did he wait so long and why did he allow Gabriel to inflict more damage?? Anyway since the fight was more than two minutes long they go to the score cards.  Every Judge scored the fight 10-9 for Gabriel, but damn that could have ended badly if it was otherwise.

 

Gabriel Santos wins via UD 2:21 Rd. 1

 

 

Fight#9

 

155 lbs

 

Tom Valanzola (SSSF) vs. Luke Czekalski (Brute Force MMA)

 

Touch gloves and Tom shoots for a takedown, stuffed, and they clinch and exchange knees against the ropes.  Still clinched against the ropes and now they get stuck in the ropes and the ref stands there for a while, now he brings them in and Luke is in Tom’s guard, Tom lands a punch from the bottom and has a high guard.  Luke picks Tom up and slams him but Tom keeps position. Tom goes for an armbar and Luke is trying to walk around Tom to get free.  He spins and spins but Tom is holding on, Tom starts to bridge and Luke tries a last ditch effort slam but can’t get free and finally has to tap.

 

Tom Valanzola wins via Tap Out from an armbar 2:11 Rd. 1

 

 

Fight#10

 

155 lbs

 

Bob O’Neil (BMAC) vs. Bennet Desposses (Bucket Brigade)

 

They come to the center and decide not to touch em’ up.  Immediately Bob throws a bomb and drops Bennet. Bennet holds on to Bob as Bob tries for a guillotine after pulling guard.  Man Bennet seems to be recovered already from that BOMB and lands some nice shots on Bob.  They stand and clinch, nice exchange from both.  Bob misses with a right. Head kick from Bob misses, Bennet goes for a takedown but Bob sprawls.  Bob misses two rights and they both start dropping bombs on each other.  Bob is doing a great job of mixing his punches, the kid has real good hands, with some power.  Bennet lands a leg kick, Bob counters with a nice right hook.  Again these guys are going toe to toe! These aren’t light punches these are thunder and lightning strikes.  Nobody is even looking to go the ground at this point.  Now they clench in the corner and Bennet lands a couple of solid knees.  Bennet works the foot stomps, Bob counters with a knee.  Couple of knees by Bennet, Bob returns. They work knees for a bit and exchange hands.  Bennet is bleeding badly, again they exchange powerful strikes, they clinch and Bennet gets a take down and sits in Bob’s half-guard.  Bennet tries to posture, but Bob pulls him down, he now postures and drops some punches until Bob grabs and gets him close again.  Bennet lands some hammer fists, Bob tries to stand and they get tied up in the ropes, they get out of the ropes and keep position.  The ref asks for some action.  They scramble and the ref restarts them in the middle of the ring.  Bennet drops a couple of hammer fists.  The round ends with Bob attempting an armbar.

 

Awesome fight so far, Bob looks a little tired while Bennet looks ready…

 

Rd. 2

 

They again exchange with not much landing. Bob throws a few big hooks with one landing.  Bennet tries to return but Bob has left the scene already.  Bob comes in and throws another big right hook, but Bennet knew it was coming, ducks it and gets a BIG slam onto the mat.  Bob attempts a Kimura, with Bennet in side control, but Bennet gets his arm free and drops a punch that lands.  Bennet gets North/South and attempts a straight armbar but doesn’t get it, now he gets mount and Bob tries to roll and gives up his back in doing so.  Bennet gets both his hooks in and breaks him down.  Now Bennet looks for the RNC, but Bob holds on, Bennet trying to work it in trying, trying…… and there’s a tap.

 

Bennet Desposses wins via Tap Out from an armbar 1:58 Rd. 2

 

That is one of the best fights of the night, bombs from both fighters, great display of striking.  Bennet did a great job of staying with it and continuing after being dropped with a bomb.

 

 

Fight#11

 

155 lbs

 

Steve Mager (SSSF) vs. Corey Wakefield (CAIN)

 

They touch and Steve gets a sweet double leg takedown into side control.  Corey tries grabbing Steve’s head to control him.  Steve landing some nice hammer fists and goes for a Kimura and he gets it, kind of, he didn’t have the key lock but he was bending Corey’s arm badly.

 

Steve Mager wins via Kimura (sorta) :31 Rd.1

 

 

Fight#12

 

155 lbs

 

Christian Rivera (Fisherman’s Den) vs. Jarrod Johnson (Dragon Lair)

 

Christian wins the entrance music showdown with some Dropkick Murphy’s.  They decide to touch gloves.  Exchange and they tie up, nice couple of hooks from Christian.  Jarrod gets a nice suplex takedown and lands in Christian’s guard, picks him up and slams him down but Christian holds onto guard.  Jarrod lands some nice body shots. Christian is working an open guard, Jarrod slams him again.  Christian is smiling on the bottom, I think he’s happy to be in there, he lands a hook from the bottom.  Jarrod uses the can opener to try and break guard.  Jarrod stands and get out of guard and lands a couple leg kicks from top, and a hammer fist.  Now he drops multiple hammer fists and kicks.  Up kicks coming from Christian, Jarrod standing over him, and throws some punches to his legs.  Jarrod goes for a heel hook and Christian defends and holds onto Jarrod’s legs.  Jarrod holding on to the heel hook.  Now he lets it go while Christian lands some strikes.  Christian pushes him off and stands Jarrod comes in and they exchange from the clinch.  Jarrod gets another slam on Christian.  Christian has full guard, and Jarrod tries to posture, again Jarrod steps out of guard, and lands some punches to Christian’s legs, the round ends with Christian throwing up kicks and Jarrod landing some kicks to the legs.

 

Rd. 2

 

They touch the gloves again and they have a nice exchange of knees before Jarrod pulls guard.  Christian lands some hooks but Jarrod uses some slick Jiu-Jitsu and get a nice sweep into Christian’s half-guard.  That was nice.  Now Jarrod using some shoulder strikes.  Uses his legs to break the half-guard and gets to mount.  Jarrod misses some hammer fists, and Christian bucks.  Jarrod attempts an Amerikana, but Christian rolls and defends nicely getting into Jarrod’s guard.  Now he sends some punches Jarrod’s way.  Jarrod sucks him down and controls.  Jarrod pushes Christian off and now Christian stands over Jarrod landing some leg kicks.  Jarrod gets up and shoots a double and bowls him over.  Now Jarrod is wrapped around Christian’s waist with Christian sitting down. Christian lands some punches to the body, but Jarrod gets side control.  Jarrod goes knee to belly then mount.  Exchange from both, but Jarrod knocks Christian’s mouthpiece out with a solid left.  The ref pauses the fight so he can put it back.  Christian lands some hammer fists from the bottom and grabs and arm and sinks a straight armbar, Christian valiantly holds on for about 10 seconds but eventually taps.  

 

Jarrod Johnson wins via armbar 3:29 Rd. 2

 

In a show of class Jarrod thanks the fans, the team, his sponsors, and Kowloon’s for their awesome chicken wings*

 

 

 

*Jarrod did not thank Kowloon’s for their chicken wings, but in my opinion should have. He did however thank everyone previously mentioned.

 

 

 

Fight#13

 

160 lbs

 

Roberto Concepcion (Dragon Warrior) vs. Chris Germano (Team EWKK – Hoodlum Fighting)

 

Rd.1

 

Fighters touch gloves and Roberto lands a big right hook and gets a takedown to side control.  Chris tries to roll and wraps his head.  Roberto attempting to get his head free and Chris tries another roll. Roberto gets his head free and Chris tries to buck out of side control.  Roberto looking to land some punches, and gets to mount.  He grapevines Chris’ legs and works some hooks to the body.  Chris tries to inflict some damage from the bottom.  Roberto mixes up some punches to the body and head.  Chris tries to buck and roll, neither working.  Chris now rolls to his back, and Roberto immediately looks for the choke.  Chris is not allowing him to sink it.  They hand fight for awhile, now Chris bridges, Roberto has Chris on top of him maintaining back control, Roberto seems content to just have Chris in a dominant position.  The ref stands them up, Roberto should have tried to do more.  Chris lands a good hook and Roberto shrugs it off saying didn’t hurt.  Roberto misses a leg kick and Chris misses another strike as the round closes.

 

 Rd.2

 

They touch em’ again.  Chris misses a 1, 2 and Roberto ducks and gets the double leg takedown.  Roberto has side control and moves to North/South, but has an arm trapped by Chris’ legs, now he gets it free.  Back to side control, Chris wraps Roberto’s head and denies a mount attempt.  Chris works some knees to the body and some hammer fists from the bottom.  Roberto gets mount and uses nice shoulder strikes.  More shoulder strikes.  Chris bridges and tries to buck.  He pulls down on Roberto’s head while Roberto works some light strikes to the head and body.  Chris tries to roll, Roberto lands some good punches.  Hammer fists now from Roberto, Chris tries to roll and gives up his back.  Roberto looks to sink the RNC again.  Now he decides to drop some punches as Chris gets to his knees, Roberto sinks the choke this time and gets the submission.

 

Roberto wins via RNC 2:51 Rd.2

 

 

Fight#14

 

BIG BOYS

 

Arthur Mullen (MMA of Southern Maine) vs. Russell Daviage (TNT Warriors)

 

Damn these are some big mofo’s.  They come out to the center and touch gloves.  Leg kicks landed by Russell, a bit of an exchange. Russell attempts a takedown.  Arthur tries to throw and they kind of trip and Arthur lands on Russell.  A quick scramble (ok maybe it wasn’t quick but it was a scramble) and they end up standing.  Arthur knees, and they remain clinched.  Russell lands a couple knees to the body, and a quick exchange.  They break and Russell lands another leg kick, he is using those well, and now lands a jab.  Russell lands a straight and they clinch, Russell works the dirty boxing and a big right hook.  Now Russell pushes Arthur against the ropes and lands a couple hooks and Arthur returns.  1,2 by Russell but he misses, they clinch and Russell pushes Arthur right into the ropes and Arthur’s ass is right in my FN face.  Thanks Russell.  Nice exchange off the clinch.  Body kick and leg kicks by Russell, and then some more.  Arthur is just walking around and Russell says ok eat some kicks.  Russell is just chopping away, and backs Arthur into the corner.  Arthur throws wildly, misses and falls down.  Russell jumps into side control, works some strikes and continues punching as the rounds ends.

 

Rd.2

 

Once again they touch and a quick exchange.  Russell lands a couple leg kicks, Arthur misses a couple, and they exchange some punches.  Russell powers Arthur into the corner and trips Arthur into side control.  It’s the beginning of the end I think for Arthur.  Now Russell takes mount, Arthur is a big dude I can’t believe Russell can get on him.  Russell drops some punches and the ref calls it to a halt.

 

Russell Daviage wins via TKO (ref stoppage) 2:02 into Round 2

 

Fight#15

 

MAIN EVENT for the WFL Welterweight Belt

 

Woody Weatherby (Renzo Gracie NH) vs. John Howard (Wai Kru)

 

They show superior class hugging before the fight, these guys are friends and respect each other immensely. 

 

Rd.1

 

They touch em’ up and they exchange leg kicks, John fakes a hook and lands a leg kick.  Woody works the jab nicely, and mixes up a nice combo.  Woody lands a leg kick, John returns with a leg kick of his own, Woody responds with another leg kick. John lands a nice body kick, and Woody tries to land his own but John catches it and takes Woody down and now Woody works the rubber guard.  John backs out and stands over Woody and goes for a heel hook, he holds onto it, Woody tries to climb up on John and now Woody rolls and climbs up on John. Now John lets it go and Woody stands over John dropping some punches, he lands some nice hooks to the body. John is working a high guard, Woody is throwing some heat, and John looks for an armbar, Woody tries to work his arm out and gets it free.  John tries to work the high guard and Woody shucks John’s legs off and drops a few punches and the fight is stopped.

 

Woody Weatherby wins the WFL Welterweight Title via TKO (ref stoppage) 2:32 Rd.1

 

I was surprised how early the fight was stopped, but I was across the ring and didn’t have an angle to see how hard the punches were.  Someone said that John wasn’t moving for :45 seconds, that is not even remotely accurate.  John was working his open high guard and Woody got his legs off and lands a few punches and the fight gets stopped. John was upset from the get go, there was no knockout.  I will say that whatever Woody threw it had bad intentions, the kid has power and it may or may not have been enough to stop the fight.  Given the caliber of fighter’s and the fact it was a title fight I’d like to have seen it go a little farther, but Kevin is a good ref and his job is to protect the fighter.

 

Now everyone just look forward to Ricardo Funch and Woody Weatherby.  And hopefully a rematch of John and Woody, because I can say without a doubt as short as that fight was it was a thing of beauty seeing them throw down.

 

Thanks everyone for an awesome night of fights once again.  Congrats to all the fighter’s win, or lose, and especially to the two guys who trained hard only to not get the chance to fight. Kowloon’s was great at Midnight by the way. TomC out.