Kick Down 80-Mile High Battle
The 80th show of the Kick Down fight promotion was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Denver, Colorado July 12, 2010. There were ten total bouts with two title fights to end the evening's action.
Main event: Michael Riggs vs Mike Dolce for the Universal Fight Alliance welterweight professional MMA title. Riggs scored early with a single leg takedown into side control to set up his GNP attack. Dolce was able to secure a reversal to work GNP of his own from side control. With ten seconds left in the 1st round Riggs swept Dolce and the fighters scrambled to standing. With the timekeeper reaching to ring the bell Dolce landed a solid knee to the head of Riggs and the bell sounded. Dolce went to his corner, Riggs however was unable to rise to make it to his corner and the referee waved off the fight and Dolce won the title by way of KO at 4:59 of round one.
Anthony Werner vs Matt Manzanares for the Kick Down bantamweight elimination division MMA title. There was a brief striking exchange and off of the clinch Werner was able to secure head control to set up taking the fight to the ground. On the way to the mat Werner was able to set in an guillotine choke. Manzanares defended momentarily but Werner got the choke closed off to retain the title by way of submission at :57 of round one.
Anthony Sandoval vs Cameron Thurgood. Round one was an even back and forth exchange of strikes with each fighter landing leg kicks, punches and knees in the clinch. At the sound of the ten second clacker Thurgood began pressing forward and he landed a strong combination that dropped Sandoval and Thurgood scored a KO win at 2:59 of round one.
Vince Mendez vs Mackenzie Roquermore. Mendez got a takedown off of the clinch and worked strong GNP. Roquermore weathered the storm and worked back to standing, scored a takedown and after transitioning to back control he sank in the RNC for the victory at 2:59 of round one.
Mike Siedelberg vs Marcus Lucero. Siedelberg scored an immediate takedown and when the action slowed the referee stood the fighters. From standing Lucero landed strong punches before Siedelberg got another takedown to control position to end the round. Round two saw Lucero start with fast, aggressive and accurate strikes before Siedelberg took him down. On the ground Siedelberg used strong GNP to get the TKO win at 1:47 of round one.
Luke Rutz vs Jay Wymer. There was an immediate clinch and Rutz used it to score a takedown and on the ground Rutz used a furious GNP flurry to score a TKO win at :36 of round one.
Alex Miller vs Logan Petro. Both fighters displayed aggressive striking early before Petro got a takedown to set up his GNP attack. Petro missed with an armbar attempt and from inside his guard Miller landed strikes before the fighters scrambled to standing and each landed solid knee strikes before Petro scored a takedown into GNP to end the round. Round two saw Petro get a takedown and on the mat both fighters were able to land strikes before Petro passed guard, took mount and transitioned to back control before the fighters scrambled to standing where they circled until the round ended. Round three started with Petro landing a glancing head kick to set up a takedown for more GNP. Petro backed out and let Miller stand and Petro landed two brutal body kicks before scoring a takedown to end the round. The scorecards were totaled and the win went to Petro by unanimous decision.
Paul Pruett vs Cody Connell. Connell got a big scoop slam but the fighters scrambled back to standing and exchanged strikes until Connell scored another takedown, took full mount and worked GNP to end the round. Round two had Pruett clinch early but Connell got a takedown and used his GNP to get the TKO win at :54 of round two.
Michael Matthews vs Ben Gapinski. Gapinski used a slam to set up his GNP. Then in a scramble Matthews was able to secure a triangle choke and get it closed off for the tapout victory at 2:58 of round one.
Cole Stephenson vs Scott Cambell. Cambell got an early takedown and scored with strong GNP. Stephenson was able to scramble to standing but Cambell again got a takedown and again used GNP, this time to get the TKO win at 2:59 of round one.
"Of The Night" moments:
Slam of the night goes to Cody Connell for his fight opening scoop slam.
Submission of the night goes to Michael Matthews for the triangle choke that he got closed off with two seconds left in the round.
KO of the night goes to Mike Dolce for the knee strike that got him the win with one second left in the round in order to win the Universal Fight Alliance professional welterweight title.
Fight of the night goes to Mike Siedelberg and Marcus Lucero for their back and forth fight that showcased the striking of Lucero and the grappling of Siedelberg where each had to withstand strong attacks from the other before the winner was determined.
Oddity of the night. There were four fights that ended with one second in the round and another that ended with two seconds left in the round.
Thanks to the sponsors for making the event possible.
Be sure to check the site calendar for upcoming events.
Best in Health and Training,
J.R. Gordon.