A lot of strange circumstances were at play in what was an entertaining mixed-martial arts event. A champion was crowned without a punch being thrown, a titlist lost but was able to retain his belt, but the overriding theme was barn burner MMA action!
Unified MMA took their 35th installment to River Cree Resort and Casino once more and it was a electric offering to end 2018.
Teddy Ash (12-3) vs Dominique Steele (17-11 topped the marquee and Steele defeated Ash by TKO in the first round. Ash retained the title due to Steele missing weight though. Steele entered for a body lock but Teddy avoided it. Both men traded big punches in multiple flurries until a big left wobbled Teddy and the fight was called by the ref. Teddy seemed disappointed about a stoppage that some could categorize as premature but Ash still remains a two division champion in Unified MMA.
In what was slated to be the co-main event, Craig Shintani was given the Unified belt after his opponent Clay Dixon pulled out minutes before fight time due to “personal reasons”. Clay released a Facebook statement after the fact and credited lingering anxieties that he’s dealt with all through his life. Craig said during his in-cage interview that he’s heartbroken and apologized to anyone who paid for this.
Jamie Siraj (5-2) and Michael Hay (5-1) went at it in a Bantamweight Title Bout. Siraj enters and secured a body lock. The fight went to the ground and both men showed their strong submission grappling acumen. Hay was active from the bottom with Siraj alternating between side control, half guard, and guard. Siraj got off some Ground and Pound then Hay threw up a triangle in the waning seconds of round 1. Round 2 saw Siraj again take things to the ground and work top control. Rounds three as well as four seemed like a rinse and repeat scenario of the prior rounds. Round 5 began with a killer body shot that dropped Hay and the bout ended. A grappling heavy, dominant performance was punctuated by great Boxing. Siraj defeated Hay by TKO at 0:18 in the final frame to capture the bantamweight title. Siraj stated in his post-fight interview “I came here to fuck shit up” and it’s safe to say he achieved his task.
Neal Anderson (8-3) took on Curtis Demarce (18-13) in a competitive Lightweight tilt. Demarce began working some folkstyle on the wall after the two measured each other whilst striking in the middle of the cage. Anderson amped up his striking and gained a more favorable Greco Roman position. Round 2 saw some nice right hands by Demarce midway through the round. Demarce got in some more wall work to close out the round but Anderson looked to stay active with close quarters knees. In Round three, Neal’s connectivity rate seemed to be higher throughout the bout in terms of striking. Anderson stuffed a well timed Demarce takedown but Curtis got the takedown and secured Anderson’s legs with his own. Both men were upright again and turned up the heat with a huge flurry to end a great bout with Anderson defeating Demarce by split decision.
Nick Hrabec (6-4) took on Garret Nybakken (12-9) in a 165 lb catchweight. Hrabec was heavy on the low line leg licks and teeps early. A huge right hand landed and a one shot KO win was logged for Nybakken. Hrabec was still out with medical staff tending to him. What a final fight for Nybakken. Nybakken defeated Hrabec by knockout at 1:54 of the first round for his swan song at River Cree.
KB Bhullar (4-0) locked horns with Corey Atkinson (4-8) in a Middleweight affair. The pro portion of the card began with both trying to jockey for position. There was early Ground and Pound from KB with elbows and strong wrist control. KB got side control and secured a Darce to elicit the tap. Bhullar defeated Atkinson by submission via north-south choke at 3:50 of R1.
Tyrell Giselbrecht (2-0) vs Matt Klute (2-1) was at 150 pounds and it appeared like Giselbrecht edged the first. Both Ammys got W’s at the last Unified show but only one could walk out a winner this time. Klute’s biggest round was the third in what was a hotly contested affair. Klute ended up defeating Giselbrecht by split decision then was mauled by some Shaved Bears.
Mark Mosure (3-0) tore it up with Farzad Askari (0-0) in an amateur catchweight at 165 pounds. The Rammstein intro theme for Farzad got me fired up. Unfortunately for Askari, Du Hast did not power on the Muay Thai seasoned Farzad against the more experienced MMA fighter. Grappling dominance and top position for Mosure were the themes over the three rounds. Farzad continued to try to work out of bad positions but Mosure continued to be on top and defeated Askari by unanimous decision.
Sebastian Fodor (0-0) and Sterling Michetti (1-1) went at it in an amateur fight at 190 pounds. Both got right at it with big flurries and Michetti rocked Fodor on the feet. Fodor showed resolve and eventually regained his composure. Round 2 saw the fight settle more into the grappling realm and after some scrambling/ a few good submission positions, Sebastian secured the RNC win. Michetti defeated Fodor by submission, rear-naked choke, at 2:10 of R2.
Isaiah Bean (1-1) vs Skylar Sloan (0-1) was a great start to the show. The amateur Bantamweight action also showcased quality theme songs with Roy Jones and Kendrick songs introducing the combatants. Isaiah had the familiarity in the Unified cage but it was Sloan who would eventually notch his first amateur MMA win. Sloan defeated Bean by unanimous decision.