Epic Fighting MMA #39 results of August 24, 2018 show
“Hey! This is starting to get repetitious.” After each victory, up they came into the cage, this oh-so-proud Mixed Martial Arts team from The Arena MMA gym, Point Loma, S. D., Calif.
On Friday night, the California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization (CAMO) was back at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in San Diego to officiate the Epic Fighting #39 event, featuring athletes from 31 MMA Training facilities competing in 17-captivating bouts.
In Bout #1 for middleweights (170.1 to 185 lbs) had 22-year-old Omid Zeighami from The Arena MMA, Point Loma making his debut against 33-year-old Gokhan Cicekliyar (1-0) who has trained with members of the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista.
As prescribed, Omid Zeighami went to work bounding his opponent’s face.
The serious combatants face off, Gokhan Cicekliyar (l) and Omid Zeighami (r).
By Round #3, it had become clear that Zeighami’s maneuvering, his wrestling to stay on top, number of punches landed, had far outpaced his opponent. So, in the end, all three judges went with Zeighami and awarded him a unanimous decision victory.
With both gentlemen trying out for the lead in the next James Bond movie, a lot was at stake. Omid Zeighami (left, a connoisseur of fine wine) worked from on top (photo, top right) and immediately began pounding Gokhan Cicekliyar in the face, especially the nose to ensure he would have no chance of defeating him at their upcoming MGM tryout. Both feel Daniel Craig who last played James Bond in the most recent films is now replaceable.
Bout #2 for lightweights (145.1 to 155 lbs) featured Justin Stevens from Team Iron Man Mixed Martial Arts in Riverside, Calif., making his Epic Fighting Debut against Matthew Shattle (1-2) from the White Tiger Schools West LA.
Not to throw anyone off, Mr. Stevens did get a haircut for this, his inaugural bout.
In round one, Shattle led with a leg kick, which Stevens then caught and drove Shattle back into the cage for an eventual takedown with full control on the canvas. At that point, Stevens began to land some hard shots on Shattle, who’s was looking to survive against the cage. Stevens later took Shattle’s back and tried for a neck crank as the round came to an end.
Justin Stevens with the GQ haircut demonstrates the importance of being on top.
It was Ground Hog Day revisited in round two as the same scenario unfolded. Stevens again caught another leg kick and swept Shattle to the canvas but this time Shattle fought his way back to his feet and took control for the first time in the fight. Of course, that didn’t last long before Stevens reversed positions and hip tossed Shattle who then turned in and gave up his back to allow Stevens to again gain control. In round three, the action slowed somewhat but Stevens still connected with an overhand right to remain in control against the cage. With the win, Stevens gains his first victory while Shattle drops to a discouraging 1-3.
This photo demonstrates the courage one must have to enter an MMA cage – the willingness to take a punch in order to deliver an even harder punch.
Bout #3: Lightweights (145.1 to 155 lbs.) featured Allan Stott (2-0) taking on Bryan Bahena (who was making his debut). In round one which ended with Stott having Bahena’s back, you’d have to say Stott held the upper hand. Early on, he was the one rushing Bahena and quickly dragging him down to the canvas to take his back. Stott took the mount as Bahena rolled into him and then threw some more destructive blows.
While both fighters were more active in round two, it was still Stott who was landing the harder kicks to drive his opponent back against the cage and take him down to get the full mount. Bahena continued to scramble as Stott looked for an armbar. As they made it to their feet, it was Stott who closed out the round with a kick to the body.
Things slowed considerably in the final round as Stott managed to gain full mount yet again. With his ground and pound becoming even stronger, Stott attempted to get his opponent’s hand for a choke, but Bahena quickly stood up only to get suplexed and forced back down against the cage. At this point, Stott threw every punch in his repertoire up until the final bell. In this one-sided affair, Allan Stott was your winner by a unanimous decision.
Fighters in Bout #3, Allan Stott of the 99 Jiu-Jitsu MMA Team (l) and Bryan Bahena (r) from the Eldred’s School of Martial Arts in Escondido patiently await the judges’ decision.
From the ho-hum look on Allan Stott’s face, you get the impression that his unanimous decision victory over Bryan Bahena (r) was nothing more than a walk in the park.
Bout #4 was a welterweight match (170 lbs) featuring a non-affiliated fighter Frank Resultay (in his debut) going up against Adrian “War” Ochoa (1-1) from the Ichinoe Dojo of Mexicali, B. C., Mexico. In round one, Ochoa led off with a jab and followed with an inside leg kick before driving Resultay back against the cage. Resultay then tried for a single leg but instead ate a hard knee. Ochoa then spun around to take Resultay’s back and got himself a quick tap out by way of a rear naked choke at the 1:02 mark of round one.
Former MMA standout Chris “The Crippler” Leben, now a top instructor plus Camo MMA Official, raises the arm of the victorious Adrian “War” Ochoa while his opponent Frank Resultay appears to be disconsolate in regards to his loss.
The camaraderie in the Mixed Martial Arts is special – it’s when that bout is over and you can celebrate your victory with your caring, well-wishing, invaluable coaches and teammates.
Bout #5 was a brutal, welterweight (170 lb.) match between Ray Orsborn (1-0) and Kenneth Stone (who was making his MMA Debut).
This well-contested, welterweight match had everyone’s attention. It featured 30-year-old Ray Orsborn (1-0) red trunks, from Intensity MMA of South San Diego going up against 27-year-old Kenneth Stone (blue) who was making his MMA Debut.
At the end of this extremely hard-fought bout, it was Ray Orsborn (right) having his arm raised in victory over the extremely tough Kenneth Stone.
In the beginning, Stone ran right into a body kick by Orsborn, and then one right after another. In order for Stone to succeed, he began driving Orsborn into the cage as if he were a tackling an opponent’s running back. He tried for a double, but then landed in a guillotine held tightly by Orsborn. Stone popped loose to get the mount but Orsborn then scrambled to his feet and landed some more big blows which were answered by Stone at the close of the round. It seemed every time Stone put his head down and charged, he was paying dearly and eating more than a few punches. Orsborn obviously had cage control but then Stone would always do the unexpected and spin him around to look for that one big punch. Then, it was Orsborn who was taking Stone from pillar to post and ended the second round with a takedown.
In round three, Stone was right back charging Orsborn and trying his best to get another takedown but he just couldn’t complete the takedown. Then Stone was in Orsborns half guard as they continued to scramble on the ground until Orsborn took cage control and started throwing these big, hard punches in the center of the cage. At the end of this exciting match, the judges had Ray Orsborn winning a unanimous decision.
Bout #6 featured the Epic Fighting Female Flyweight Championship (125 lbs) between the much shorter Mariana Carolina Ruiz Avila from the Strikers/Fearless MMA group of Mexico making her Debut against the well-schooled Tyler Schaefer (1-1) from the illustrious 10th Planet San Diego.
(photo left) Mariana Carolina Ruiz Avila from the Strikers/Fearless MMA group of Mexico lands a straight left jab on the chin of her opponent Tyler Schaefer from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu/San Diego Combat Academy MMA located in Mission Valley, San Diego, Calif.
As Avila tried her best to land her punches, she always seemed a bit off center and Schaefer was right there to capitalize by landing her more powerful kicks to get Avila off her feet. While Schaefer attempted to take cage control, Avila refused to stay down and used both her head and arm to take Schaefer down, but Schaefer just bulldozed over her and took side control. Schaefer really benefitted by transitioning from the back to a full mount to drop her hammer fists on Avila, but Avila somehow, miraculously, would get her legs around to stop the punishment. By round two, a mouse had started to grow under Avila’s left eye, which then became Schaefer’s target. Once again, Avila slipped up by over-committing to her striking and Schaefer pounced on her again and took her back to transition to a full mount against the cage. When Avila found herself in this position there was nothing she could do but give up her back to clam up and then try to capture her opponent’s arms to stop the onslaught.
Your winner by TKO at 1:29 of the second round, and new Epic Fighting Champion, Tyler Schaefer. In reality, this one was over before it started. The gals from Mexico were not as big, not as strong as their American counterparts. The winner by TKO at 1:29 of round two, and new Epic Fighting Champion, Tyler Schaefer.
Bout #7 was a bantamweight matchup of 21-year-old Mason Iacobellis (3-2-1) (an Independent) versus 26-year-old Alberto Romo (4-7) from the Gracie Humaita of Hemet, Calif. In the first round, Iacobellis threw a single leg kick as Romo stepped in which drove Romo back against the cage. Iacobellis followed with a head kick to drop Romo and then finished him off with a ground and pound. The TKO victory came at 56 seconds of the very first round.
Bout #8 featured a well-matched Bantamweight bout between 20-year-old Keoni Terorotua (1-1) from The Arena MMA and Chris Nunez (1-0) from 10th Planet San Diego/Spring Valley.
Here is one of the high points in Keoni Terorotua’s victory over the extremely competitive Chris Nunez from 10 Planet Mixed Martial Arts.
After the announcement of his win, the excitable Keoni Terorotua was joined by teammates and coaches from The Arena.
After the first two rounds were extremely competitive with a slight edge in the scoring to Terorotua, it was still up to one of these fighters to distinguish themselves in the final round. After touching gloves, Nunez led with a couple of body kicks before throwing a punch to Terorotua’s midsection. From that point, the two men were either banging away against the cage or at center ring. With Terorotua landing the majority of the harder, cleaner shots, the judges ended up awarding him the unanimous decision.
Bout #9 Epic Fighting Bantamweight Championship (135 lbs) – Amanda Asprion (1-1-0-0) vs. Kristina Pettigrew (2-0-0-0)
Round One – Pettigrew comes out with a low kick setting up her boxing and drives Asprion into the cage. Asprion climbs up looking for a standing guillotine but Pettigrew powers out. Aprion sets up a side kick to the face but pushes herself off and Pettigrew rushes her against the cage yet again. Pettigrew’s nose is bloodied as Aprion has a mouse developing under her left eye. Aprion ties up Pettigrew’s arm from her back only to have Pettigrew fight out and start dropping hammer fists.
Round Two – Aprion is slow to get up to her feet before returning to her corner and appears to be exhausted as she’s panting heavily in the corner. Referee Chris Leben calls time as the doctor comes in to check on Aprion. This one is waved off and Pettigrew is your winner.
Your winner by doctor’s stoppage and NEW Epic Fighting Champion, Kristina Pettigrew
Bout #10 Strawweight (115 lbs) – Ana Paulina Guerrero Villalobos (Debut) vs. Reena Norville (1-0-0-0)
Round One – Norville rushes Villalobos and her dirty boxing is on point. Even after Villalobos catches her arm, she continues to punch with her other hand. Noville has a good five inches on Villalobos, which makes it difficult for the shorter fighter to close the distance. Villalobos’ nose is bloodied at the end of the round.
Round Two – The second round is similar to the first although Norville is being even more aggressive this time. She sets up her boxing with some big body kicks and with several unanswered punches against the cage, referee Jason Herzog waves this one off.
Your winner by TKO at of the second round, Reena Norville
Bout #11 Featherweight (145 lbs) Christian Hermosillo Andalon (Debut) vs. Jorge Yepez (Debut)
Round One – The fighters touch gloves and Andalon leads with his jab. Yepez throws a single kick that gets caught as Andalon charges in with punches and gets spun to the cage by Yepez. Yepez after a long struggle takes down Andalon and now has his back but doesn’t get any hooks in, they struggle against the cage as the round comes to a close.
Round Two – Andalon leads with a low kick that sets up his jab but goes one too many times to the well as he throws another kick that gets caught by Yepez who takes cage control. Andalon throws a connecting left hook as Yepez backs away from his opponent. Yepez grabs leg but gets himself taken to the ground with a front face lock as this one comes to a close.
Round Three – Andalon goes low yet again and each time eats a punch by Yepez. The two bang it out in the center of the cage as Andalon throws another body kick. Yepez eats an illegal knee while down and the referee takes one point away from Andalon. Andalon is looking to finish this fight after that point deduction. He takes Yepez’s back and is looking to get a joke but is too high on his back. This one goes to the judges.
This fight ends in a majority draw, 28-27, 28-28, 28-28
out #11 Featherweight (145 lbs) Christian Hermosillo Andalon (Debut) vs. Jorge Yepez (Debut)
Round One – The fighters touch gloves and Andalon leads with his jab. Yepez throws a single kick that gets caught as Andalon charges in with punches and gets spun to the cage by Yepez. Yepez after a long struggle takes down Andalon and now has his back but doesn’t get any hooks in, they struggle against the cage as the round comes to a close.
Round Two – Andalon leads with a low kick that sets up his jab but goes one too many times to the well as he throws another kick that gets caught by Yepez who takes cage control. Andalon throws a connecting left hook as Yepez backs away from his opponent. Yepez grabs leg but gets himself taken to the ground with a front face lock as this one comes to a close.
Round Three – Andalon goes low yet again and each time eats a punch by Yepez. The two bang it out in the center of the cage as Andalon throws another body kick. Yepez eats an illegal knee while down and the referee takes one point away from Andalon. Andalon is looking to finish this fight after that point deduction. He takes Yepez’s back and is looking to get a joke but is too high on his back. This one goes to the judges.
This fight ends in a majority draw, 28-27, 28-28, 28-28
#12 Epic Fighting MIddleweight Championship (185 lbs) – Josiah Simpson (1-0-0-0) vs. Isaac Cabrera (3-1-0-0)
Round One – Cabrera starts off with two kicks, only one is answered by Simpson, who’s leg caught but feeds Cabrera a right hand. The two have a huge exchange before Cabrera goes and fights off his back before Simpson comes down on him with several left hands ending this fight via TKO as referee James Blair stops this one.
Your winner by TKO at 1:22 in the very first round and NEW Epic Fighting Champion, Josiah Simpson!
Bout #13 Welterweight (170 lbs) – Joseph Meraz (0-1-0-0) vs. Aremiti Tinirau (Debut)
Round One – Tinirau takes full control of this fight but on the break, Meraz slips in a right hand. Tinirau seems to be out powering Meraz this entire round.
Round Two – Meraz leads with a kick, shoots for a double but Tinirau rolls him up, takes the back and gets the tap via rear nake joke.
Your winner by tap out at 22 seconds in the second round, Aremiti Tinirau!
Bout #14 Epic Fighting Super Lightweight Championship (165 lbs) – Louie De La Torre (5-0-0-0) vs. Zachary Kraschinsky (3-4-1-0)
Round One – De La Torre shots in for a double, picks up Kraschinsky and gently puts him down taking side control against the cage. Kraschinsky wall waks to spin out, breaking a front face lock as he reaches for a single but eats several hammer firsts before De La Torre tries to take his back against the cage. De La Torre has Kraschinsky’s back but he spins out only to be set up for an arm bar which is almost hyper extended. Chris Leben calls the fight and Kraschinsky is not very happy.
Your winner by submission at 2:48 of the very first round and NEW Epic Fighting Champion, Louie De La Torre!
Bout #15 Epic Fighting Welterweight Championship (170 lbs) – Tyler Meade (3-0-0-0) vs. Djavan Coleman (6-1-0-0)
Round One – They touch gloves as Meade leads with his jab, Coleman shoots as Meade slips out the backdoor and looks for an armbar. Coleman slips out on his own and the two scramble on the floor before Coleman shoots for a double only, driving Meade against the cage. Coleman slips out but Meade is like an octopus who gets an arm in triangle from bottom position for the submission.
Your winner by tap out at 1:39 in the very first round and NEW Epic Fighting Champion, Tyler Meade!
Bout #16 Lightweight (155 lbs) – John Andrew Roman (Debut) vs. Paul Hamm (Debut)
Round One – They touch gloves and begin slugging it out. Roman shoots for a double but Hamm sprawls. Roman transitions to a mount, spins to his back gets his hooks in and is looking for a rear naked choke. Hamm’s right eye is already closing up from all the strikes he’s eaten in the first round. This one ends on the ground with Roman in full control.
This one comes to an end as the doctor stops the fight due to Hamm not being able to see out of his right eye.
Your winner due to doctor’s stoppage, John Andrew Roman
out #17 Featherweight (145 lbs) – Corey Inman (Debut) vs. Anthony Maltman (Debut)
Round One – They touch gloves and Maltman leads with a leg kick, but is answered back by Inman. Maltman charges in and the exchange on the cage is a thing of beauty. Maltman takes Inman down against the cage before getting full mount and looking for the ground and pound. Inman covers up but cannot fully defend himself and this one is over.
Winner by TKO at 1:20 of the first round, Anthony Maltman.
When can we expect the next Epic Fighting thriller? Epic Fighting 40 is now scheduled to take place at the same venue on Friday, November 16, 2018.
