EFC Rock & Rumble Recap & Results
Recap of the Extreme Fight Club's September 23 event in Erie, PA
Erie’s premiere fight promotion, Extreme Fight Club hosted its last event of the year on Thursday, September 23rd. “Rock & Rumble” had everything an up and coming fight promotion could ask for, hometown favorites, professional bouts, and 2 title fights, and most importantly a loyal and supportive crowd! The night was kicked off properly with local rock band “CHROME” warming up the crowd with covers of some rock greats! The bell sounded and it was time to fight!
Donnie Lennox against Erie’s own Clifton “The Grappler” McNair
Seemingly outclassed in both wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Donnie Lennox was able to land a simple double leg takedown and after a brief roll around, caught “the grappler” in an armbar.
Evan Velez vs. Jason Galvin
Jason Galvin didn’t seem very interested in standing toe-to-toe with the obviously stronger Velez. After a takedown attempt by Galvin and a simple sprawl by his opponent, the fight was on the floor and from there ended very similar to the first bout. Velez sank in an armbar at the tail end of the first round to earn the win.
Alex Sinsaprith vs. Sabino Scarpone
Scarpone was in command of this fight from the beginning, being the faster and stronger fighter, he took charge early with a couple of very solid takedowns that definitely gave him the first round. The second round went the same way although not so flashy, simple takedowns and ground and pound body shots by Scarpone gave him this round as well. The final round was the best to me. It showed that even though down on the cards, Sinsaprith had heart! Knowing he was going to lose the fight without a KO or submission he went for it! He let his hands go in a flurry of not so well aimed punches in hopes to connect, when none did he went for the takedown most likely hoping for a quick submission. The double leg attempt was stifled quickly but Alex refused to give it up and drove, and drove in a very valiant effort to change the tide of the fight. After three rounds it went the way of Scarpone via Unanimous Decision.
Jason States vs. Saxon Sprouse
Sprouse ripped in with a takedown in the first, and refused to give up a reversal, he took the first round with that takedown, and some very solid ground & pound. The second was quick, Sprouse once again took down the local fighter and this time sealed the deal after gaining rear mount, sinking in the hooks, and flattening out his opponent. States tried to roll out of the position only to give up a Rear Naked Choke 25 seconds into the second round.
Nassan Manhood vs. Matt “Sleepy” Sinnott
This was the first fight of the night where it looked like both fighters were not only confident, but knew what they were doing. Sinnott set the crowd up for a fun fight from the gate with entry music that even the ring girls couldn’t help but get down to! Very confident in his striking “Sleepy” threw an array of blows, including spinning back kicks, and even a superman punch! Manhood had no real answer to Sinnott’s striking and took the fight to the mat from mid round on. Through the second, and third rounds Manhood controlled the fight on the ground, although in a fairly comfortable position, Sinnot was constantly working a submission attempt! His continued work from guard kept the fight close although when put in the judges hands, Manhood’s takedowns and control from the ground gave him the split decision victory over Matt Sinnott
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Dave Spinelli vs. Brian Cowin
By far the most popular fighter that night, Erie’s Dave Spinelli had a lot to live up to with such a following, and he did exactly that! The first round was all his, with absolutely brutal blows to the liver, and kidney of Cowin that had we wincing he surely took the first round! In the second he showed the killer instinct necessary to be a successful fighter! The fight stayed on the ground and within seconds it was obvious that someone was going down! Spinelli landed very accurate strikes to Cowin and rocked him with a stiff right. Capitalizing on his blow, Spinelli saw Cowin get a case of the bobblehead and went for the kill. BOOM! Another big right and Cowin was on the mat, just a few goodbye punches to assure the ref that Brian Cowin was not getting up and the crowd went crazy as Dave Spinelli took hom the only KO of the night ending the fight in 25 seconds of the second round.
Matt Almy vs. Derek Lamb
Even if they didn’t have to follow one of the most exciting fights of the night, this bout would have caused the occasional yawn. Neither fighter could seal the deal and take home an early win, however Derek Lamb had enough talent to control the fight through all three rounds on the ground. Lamb took home a win via Unanimous Decision.
Antonio Smith vs. Dustin Hurtgam
Antonio Smith’s wrestling abilities were too much for Hurtgam to control! The fight went through all three rounds, and although he never gave up the fight and continued to try to workd his way out of trouble, Dustin was dominated the entire fight. Antonio Smith took a Unanimous Decision.
145lbs Title Fight: Aljamain Sterling vs. Eric Steppe
This was a very good fight! Steppe was very aggressive in his striking and in my eyes took the first round with his control of the tempo. The second round however went the opposite way, and although Steppe was still aggressive with his punches, Sterling looked very collected with his evasive maneuvers that allowed him to land some pretty well aimed punches, Sterling also landed the biggest double leg slam of the night, picking up Steppe and rushing across the cage dropping all of his body weight into Eric Steppe’s guts! The third round ended it, Sterling got another simple takedown and after securing a body triangle fought for a rear naked choke. The choke didn’t get the job done, but apparently the body lock did, limiting the breathing of Steppe enough to cause him to tapout in the third!
185lbs Title Fight: John Flock vs. Bob Rech
John Flock had a reach advantage that he tried to use to his advantage throughout the first round, but could not land any significant blows. Rech took a page out of the Brock Lesnar book, and rhino charged his was into a double leg takedown, and although we was put in the lesser position, Rech was able to keep the round a close one with his striking from his back. The second round was all Bob Rech, another takedown led to a battle of jiu-jitsu. Under the tutelage of former UFC fighter Dan Swift, the Team DNA fighter, Rech was able to use smooth transition into a rear naked choke to earn his belt!
PRO BOUT: Corey Frantz vs. Andrew Cseh
In a rematch of each fighters amateur career, these two met again as pros! Andrew Cseh had complete control over this fight, just as he did the first. The fight was taken down and Cseh ended it quickly by triangle choke… just as he did in the first fight!
PRO BOUT: Mike Linza vs. Lewis Rumsey
This fight was littered with LACK of takedown defense. Most saw it as two good wrestlers taking each other down, not thinking that a GOOD wrestler would also defend the takedown. This fight had at least 10 double leg takedowns! Along with the display of the need for takedown defense, this fight was taken over by Rumsey’s Hulk Hogan trunks and very over the top head movement! All three rounds were a war of will with each fighter landing some good blows. In the end each had some good hits, and multiple takedowns, but it was Linza’s submission attempts when on the ground that allowed him to take the unanimous decision.
The fight’s promoter, Jason Lawrence was pleased with the turn out and quality of the fights, stating that he loved putting on shows at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, and would definitely be back! And on another side note, upon congratulating Team DNA and Bob Rech on his title victory, Dan Swift promises that Erie’s Team DNA will hold every belt the EFC has to offer! Time will tell!
By Harold Hughes
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer