Peak retains title and remains undefeated.

On a night where there were many choices for fans of most any sport due to multiple MMA shows, Grappling tournaments during the day, hockey, and basketball at night, and a PPV boxing event televised, the 76th Kick Down MMA event took place at the Red Lion Hotel in Denver,Colorado with an 11 bout fight card featuring several new comers to the promotion and 6 title fights including the main event which featured Travis Peak vs Chris Holland for the Welterweight Professional title. A large contingent of fans from various parts of the Rocky Mountain region came into the venue and witnessed a solid show and left the venue feeling they had made the right choice in their selection to be there.

BOUT 1

Dustin Reynolds vs Alex Miller

Two debut fighters. The bout opened with Reynolds trying to strike and each time he did Miller would do all he could to take the fight to the ground which he did. There were moments where Reynolds would appear to have escaped but it would be Miller that would work his opponent back into dominant position and eventually attain mount where Alex Miller landed some good strikes and at 2:31 the round one the bout was stopped due to strikes.

Alex Miller gets the victory at 2:31 of round 1 due to ref stoppage.

BOUT 2

Alex Hullerman vs Matt Ledford

This bout was fought at a catch weight of 175lbs. Hullerman from the Defense Institute and Ledford from Advantage Martial Arts. Ledford open with some solid striking and both fighters traded back and forth and it was Ledford early on doing a nice job of trying arm bar and tri-angle attempts but Hullerman would stack his opponent  to break each submission attempt and round one was over in a good back and forth battle. In the second round it would be Hullerman that would use his slight size advantage to control the ground and basically stuff any momentum Ledford had even though he did stay focused working from his back then standing to try and get some advantage of his own but round two was much like round one and the bell sounded. In round three both fighters appeared to be a bit fatigued but still they continued to trade back and forth with a solid effort particularly since Hullerman was making his debut and Ledford had fought only once prior and nearly 2 years ago. Both traded back and forth standing then on the ground and in some ways like a replay of the opening two rounds but at this point it appeared that Ledford may have been fatigued a notch more his opponent. The bell would sound to end the contest and when the judges tallied their score cards all three scored in favor on Alex Hullerman 30-27,30-27, 30-27. Unan. Decision.

In the post fight interview Alex hullerman would thank his team mates and friends and family and had his girlfriend enter the cage. It was at that moment he thanked her for all of the support and took a knee and asked her to marry him with ring in box and all.......................and she said yes. He proclaimed his love for her in a touching moment as the fans cheered Hullerman and his Fiance left the cage-both winners. We congratulate them both.

BOUT 3

Reid Delman vs Dusty Davis

Two undefeated fighters would enter the cage in the Featherweight divison. Reid Delman 2-0 fighting out of Easton BJJ and the first from that team to make an appearance in the promotion. He would face Dusty Davis from Laramie, Wyoming  3-0 from Chin Chek Combat Sports-PLA MMA. From the opening bell it would be Delman that would work to take Davis down with his obvious wrestling ability and it would be Dusty Davis that continued to work to his feet throughout the opening round. Davis attempted several strike combinations but Delman timed them and ducked, went for the take down and got it. Round one ended. n round two much of the same. Each time Davis had built momentum Delman would work for the take down. Both fighters traded standing but each time it was Delman who would use his jab to set up the take down. To his credit Dusty Davis did a fine job of showing determination and alot of heart in staying in the fight-and it appeared to close. Round two ends. In the third Davis did more to try and strike and work out of harms way and stayed in the fight landing strikes to keep it close and then the Delman take down would play the key factor when the round ended and the judges once again had to score the bout to determine the winner. The score cards read 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 all in favor of Reid Delman.

Of note in this fight was the heart shown by Dusty Davis and the persistence in Delman. Neither fighter ever gave in and displayed what the sport is about. For Delman a chance to prove that at age 42 there is a place in MMA and frankly he has a future still. For Davis just the beginning of what looks to be a promising future.

BOUT 4

David O'Campo vs Dominic Moya

This bout would be contested at a catch weight of 160 to 165. David O'Campo got the call on this fight Tuesday and drove from the Fresno California area back to Douglas, Wyoming then to Denver to fight as an amatuer. Moya would be looking for his first victory in MMA. The bell sounded to open the round and it was clear from the start that Moya was much bigger that hisopponent but O'Campo tried to take his down and succeeded only to have Moya reverse position and landed a flurry of strikes and the referee stepped in and stopped the bout. Dominic Moya gets the victory by referee stoppage due to strikes at 1:41 of round 1.

BOUT 5

Robert Bobbett vs Steve Johnson

This bout would be contested in the middleweight division. Steve johnson undefeated and coming off a victory over a very tough fighter left many wanting to see his return. Enter Robert Bobbett. He went down to defeat at the last event and was looking to get back on track against Johnson. Both opened circling to see if they could land any strikes and Bobbett avoided strikes and then tried vehemently to take Johnson to the ground. They ended up there and both worked for what looked like heel hooks and then in a split second Bobbett applied the toe hold and secured victory at 1:09 of round 1. It happened so quickly that it caught many "off guard" so to speak. Bobbett moves his record to 3-1.

BOUT 6

Jake Valdez vs Andrew Kauppila

Kick Down Am Lightweight MMA Title

Jake Valdez and Andrew Kauppila would battle for the vacated Lightweight title. Valdez opened with a low blow and Kauppila got the alotted time needed to recover which did not take the maximum of 5 minutes. After the re-start this bout was non stop. Both fighters stood and traded then clinched up where it appeared that the height advantage of Kauppila seemed to give him the advantage as he work throw knees then break from the clinch and work standing in what was an absolute "slug fest" going back and forth. Round one ends. At the start of round two much of the same both fighters imposing their will and trying to land that one or two punch combination and all the while stay focused on the task at hand. After the first minute of round two it seemed that Valdez might have been winded and he later admitted he would have preferred to fight at 170 becuase the weight cut took a little strength away (we didn't notice). After trading punches Andrew Kuappila worked Valdez acroos the cage and at 2:35 threw the punch that knocked Valdez down and the fight was stopped giving Andrew Kauppila the title and the victory by KO. Fans were on their feet applauding the action. It should be noted that Andrew Kauppila is now 4-1 and is the lightweight champion in the Kick Down and Universal Fight Alliance. Look for Jake Valdez to return in the heavier weight class.

BOUT 7

Justin Hueske vs Anthony Werner

Kick Down Bantomweight MMA Title

Justin Hueske came into this bout the reigning champion and when his opponent Levi Howes was a no call no show for the title fight the bout was changed on Thursday evening to Anthony Werner. And so it was 8-3 Hueske vs 15-16 Werner for the title. Hueske opens with a combination and takes a straight shot from Werner and seemed like he was rocked momentarily when the fighters clinched and the fight went to the ground. Werner it should be noted trained hard to fight in another promotion so he was more than prepared for this fight and looked stonger than ever landing a few body and strikes to the face of Hueske while he was grounded. At the same time Hueske tried to go high to set up the tri-angle and it would be Werner that defended and worked Hueske over to the fence of the cage and rendered him somewhat helpless as there was no way to turn and no where to go. Werner takes the back of Hueske and at 2:04 of round 1 sinks the rear naked choke for the victory. Marking only the second time he has experienced victory at the Red Lion Hotel Werner captures the bantomweight title and improves to 16-16. Anthony Werner nows holds the Kick Down Bantomweight title and the Universal Fight Alliance Featherweight title.

BOUT 8

Chris Dollbaum vs T.J. Nunnaley

Kick Down Lightheavyweight MMA Title

Undefeated Kick Down amateur co-fighter of the year Chris Dollbaum (5-0) would defend his title against the challenger T.J. Nunnaley (5-5) who was coming off of an impressive victory at Kick Down 75 in Casper and he picked up right where he left off. From the opening bell it would be Nunnaley who would force the action standing and when the fight went to the ground both fighters would battle back and forth. Dollbaum with his excellent wrestling skills would mount Nunnaley and Nunnaley would reverse and sweep to work from the guard of Chris Dollbaum. The fight was back and forth and nearing the end of round one when Dollbaum surprised some by locking on a tri-angle choke right as the bell sounded to end the round Nunnaley tapped. There may have been some question regarding whether or not the round had actually ended because it was that close. In the end it would be Chris Dollbaum that would win by tap out at 2:59 officially of round one. Chris Dollbaum runs his undefeated mark to 6-0 and remains the reigning Kick Down lightheavyweight champion with 5 of the 6 victories coming within the kick Down promotion.

BOUT 9

Anthony Sandoval vs Zylan Zumpf

Kick Down Jr Flyweight MMA Title

Initially this bout was scheduled between Aaron Trujillo and Zumpf. On Monday Trujillo cancelled. In stepped Anthony Sandoval who jumped at the opportunity to get a title try and if he could win he felt it would be a great resume booster. From Tuesday to the weigh ins Sandoval cut from 143 to make 128lbs. Kylan Zumpf had driven from Dickinson North Dakota to Rapid City, South Dakota 225 miles just to get his bloodwork done and then another 600 mile trek to make it to Denver for the fight. Throw in some car troubles and he could have been done before he arrived-but he wasn't. Coming into the bout 5-0 and one of the most promising of the new breed of champions within the promotion he would face the youger less experienced Sandoval at 2-1. Anthony Sandoval has a strong suite and it is his stand up arsenal. The only problem on Saturday night was the quick "shot" of Zumpf. When the bell rang to begin the bout it would be Sandoval that would land some good round kicks and then a struggle would set in and he would get muscled to the ground by the shorter fighter Kylan Zumpf. It was there that Sandoval did all he could to get high for a tri-angle attempt which was defended by Zumpf and then he would land strikes to the body and then to the head of Sandoval all the while working him over towards the cage door. Zumpf then started a flurry of punches and referee Tom Johnson stepped in and stopped the bout. There may have been some question as to whether or not the stoppage was premature but regardless Kylan Zumpf is the new Jr Flyweight champion by virtue of his victory at 2:30 of round 1 by referee stoppage due to strikes.Give credit to Zumpf for having to endure the drive, the fighter change to capture the title. Give credit to Anthony Sandoval for stepping up where others declined and to start at 143 on a Tuesday to make 128 on Friday at the weigh in. Both carried themselves like champions.

BOUT 10

Mike Van Houten vs Lenny Atkinson Jr.

Kick Down Welterweight MMA Title

Mike Van Houten came into the title fight the current champion and undefeated at 4-0. The challenger Lenny Atkinson Jr. was also 4-0 making his way from Laramie, Wyoming. We had heard good things about Atkinson and with the two unbeaten fighters this was a great match up. The bell sounded and from the start it looked as if Van Houten was possessed. With a take down and some hard punches to the ribs of Atkinson to start with but Lenny hung in and kept fighting and to his credit showed great heart to stay in the fight. Van Houten looked as good as we had seen him even though he had not fought in a few months. With take downs, striking, and a complete arsenal it would be Van Houten that pressed the action and the tempo of the title fight and Atkinson defeded but seemed just short of trying to get any momentum to thwart of attck of Van Houten. The bell sounded to end round one which was a good one that the fans appreciated by the sounds of their applause. Round two began much the same way the first round started and this time it would be Mike Van Houten that would attain mount on his oppoent and land some ferocious strikes to the body then to the head of his opponent who defended the first flurrly but then the second flurrly came in and the bout was stopped at 1:19 of round two by referee Tim Mills. Lenny Atkinson showed much heart even in defeat as this night belonged to Mike Van Houten who was gracious in victory and thanked his opponent, his coach and teamates. Of note in this bout was the heart shown by Atkinson and the complete barrage of stiking on the ground by Mike Van Houten who clearly must be one of the top amatuers in the state of Colorado at 170. He runs his record to 5-0. Look for a big future out of both of these fighters should they continue.

BOUT 11

Travis Peak vs Chris Holland

Kick Down Professional Welterweight MMA Title

The main event had arrived and Travis Peak at 13-0 (3-0 professionally) would face Chris Holland 8-3 (1-1 pro) and it would mark the first time Peak would fight in Colorado. A large contingent of Peak supporters made the trip from Wyoming, and Nebraska. At the beginning of the bout the Holland fans would shout "Holland, Holland".....and then you could hear the Peak contingent and their chant of "Peak, Peak". When the bout started both fighters would circle to see what one or the other would offer up. Peak would find out immediately it would be a Chris Holland jab right down the center. They would circle more and then a cross midway through round one would rock Travis Peak and nearly have him staggering and he regained his composure to work Holland down to the ground and go to the side and work solid ground control from that position. It seemed like every time he was in trouble it would be Peak that would jump in for the takedwon and secure it and thwart any attack that Holland had going in (and there were several of them). Chris Holland to his credit put up a magnificent fight and it went back and forth until the bell sounded to end round one. Round two started much the same way with both fighters testing one another but it would be Peak who would take the contest to the ground every time he sensed there could be trouble. From there he worked for control of Hollands back and tried for the rear naked choke and couldn't finish. Peak continued to work and secured his back again and sunk hooks in and ended the fight at 1:26 of the 2nd round by rear naked choke. After the fight was over and Peak was out of the arena he made mention of the fact that it was the hardest he had ever been hit (By Holland in round 1) and he didn't really know where he was at momentarily-but came to his senses. To his credit this was a fight that got away from Chris Holland as he could have finished Peak and it didn't work out that way. A class act in defeat Chris Holland did more than fight the war-he gained the respect of his opponent and others and deserved to be in the main event of what ended up being a very solid show. For Travis Peak he made it clear he wants to continue with his career in MMA. We look forward to it.

Fight of the night- A 3 way tie. Andrew Kauppila vs JAke Valdez, Mike Van Houten vs Lenny Atkinson, Travis Peak vs Chris Holland. Wonderful in so many ways that we could't give it to just one.

Submission of the Night-Without a doubt has to go to Robert Bobbett. His "Toe Hold" victory over an incredibly tough fighter at 1:09 ot the 1st round caught everyone off guard.

KO of the night-Andrew Kauppila with his hard fought title winning victory.

Heart of the night-Another 3 way tie. Dusty Davis, Lenny Atkinson Jr., Chris Holland. For never giving up.

Moment to last a lifetime- Alex Hullerman after his victory asking his girlfriend for her hand in marriage in the cage. A touching moment that will last a lifetime.

Inspiration to fighters of all ages-Reid Delman by virtue of his ability to perform at the highest level at age 42 and remain undefeated