GRAND PRIX Results

Written by J. R. Gordon

May 08, 2009, the Fight To Win promotion held round one of their 145 lb. professional Grand Prix tournament at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado. As well as having the tournament fights, the card also featured a full undercard with several titles being contested along with Ken Kruescher Vs Ian Berg in the main event. Both of these fighters had lots of motivation as each was making their professional MMA debut.

Main event: Ken Kreuscher Vs Ian Berg. Round one of this fight was a back and forth battle with Kreuscher looking to land heavy strikes while Berg countered with heavy hands and looked for the takedown. Kreuscher was able to cut Berg with a good knee strike while Berg worked GNP when it hit the mat. At :06 of round two Berg landed two big right hand punches that got him the knockout win.

GRAND PRIX 145 lb. PRO TOURNAMENT:

Jesse Henley Vs Nick Bushman. Both fighters came out with hard strikes, and after escaping a standing guillotine attempt from Buschman, Henley worked for position and took full mount. From the top he quickly positioned himself for a head and arm triangle choke. Bushman worked to defend, but at 1:25 of round one Henley got the tapout and invitation to the second round of the tournament.

Nick Mamalis Vs Vellore Caballero. Both fighters looked crisp with their striking in this bout with Caballero showing skilled footwork while Mamalis tried several times to land flying and spinning techniques. Round one saw a bit of ground action with Caballero working off of his back with Mamalis going for GNP. Round two started with good striking from each, and ended with good striking from Mamalis when he landed the KO punch at :24 of round two to get the win and advance in the tournament.

Ricky Johnson Vs Ron Muir. This fight went the distance and it was Muir that got the unanimous decision win. Johnson landed some good strikes including several strong head kicks, but it was the wrestling prowess of Muir that allowed him to get multiple takedowns and control position in order to work GNP for the win.

Brett Roller Vs Joe Kelso. Kelso looked smooth both while standing and while on the mat. Roller however always had an answer for the pressure from Kelso and in the end Roller tried several times for, then got the fight ending guillotine choke at :39 of round two for the win.

TJ Nunnaley Vs Rory O’Farrell for the Fight To Win 205 lb. amateur MMA title. O’Farrell stayed aggressive throughout and once on the mat he positioned himself for the fight and title winning Kimura lock at 2:19 of round one.

Tambura Gerl Vs Matt Simms for the Fight To Win 155 lb. amateur MMA title. In round one Simms took the fight to the mat, obviously where he wanted the action to occur. Gerl defended well and was able to land strikes off of his back. In round two Simms again got it to the mat and this time he was able to lock in the title retaining triangle choke for the win at :52 of round two.

Josiah Callis Vs JJ Mondragon for the Fight to win 145 lb. amateur MMA title. Words can’t describe the three rounds of action in this bout. Both fighters landed solid knees, punches and kicks. On the mat they swept, defended, worked GNP and tried for submissions. If ever you want to show a friend what MMA is then get the DVD of this event and show them this bout. It went to the judges and by way of split decision the title winner was Josiah Callis.

Randall Schuckman Vs Chris Brodeur. Schuckman had a quick night as he ended the fight by way of KO at :35 of round one.

Sebastian White Vs Jason Lee. Lee is coming into MMA off of two Muay Thai bouts and he put those Thai skills to good use to get the win by KO at 2:24 of round one.

Shane Johnson Vs Diego Alvarez. Johnson was putting his undefeated
(3-0) record on the line against the debut fighter in Alvarez. Alvarez came out with great striking and did not relent until he got the KO win at 1:33 of round one.

Jeremy Kimball Vs Kyle Nelson. Kimball started strong and it paid off for him as he kept the pressure on and garnered the win by way of TKO at :42 of round two.

Robbi James Vs Garret Phipps. Phipps came out looking for the win early and he got just that with the KO victory coming at :42 of round two.

Nick Dibiase Vs Jeremy Hastings. Dibiase hunted for the submission once the battle hit the ground and at 2:24 of round one he got the fight ending triangle choke locked in place.

Be sure to be in attendance July 10, 2009, when the victors of the first round of the tournament again put their skills to the test.

Best in Health and Training,
J. R. Gordon.