Caged Fury 14 Recap
Amateur Bouts
Amateur Welterweight Bout
Dave Spadell Jr (Independent) vs. Miguel DeFina (Griffon Rawl)
DeFina is representing Griffon Rawl Fight Team, from nearby Mentor, Ohio, and he receives a warm welcome from the partisan crowd. DeFina is sponsored by Intimidation Clothing, and is wearing a pair of the newly-released Intimidation Fight Shorts in red.
Round 1
Spadell throws some heavy hands and looks for a half-hearted shot. DeFina looks to lock up a guillotine, and briefly takes the fight to ghe ground. Spadell throws some tough knees to the body from the clinch and looks winded when the fighters break the clinch. DeFinascores a takedown against the cage and briefly takes Spadell’s back. Spadell recovers guard position and Round 1 comes to a close. I am going to have to score that round 10-9 for Miguel DeFina.
Round 2
Spadell looks refreshed and starts throwing bombs to start round 2. DeFina looks rocked but recovers when Spadell punches himself out. DeFina takes Spadell’s back and looks for a rear naked choke. DeFina has his hips too loose to finish the choke and Spadell gets loose. Spadell throws some heavy punches and wobbles DeFina again. DeFina gets another takedown and looks for another rear naked choke. Spadell looks too tired to defend his back. The referee questionably stands the fighters up, and round 2 ends with both fighters looking winded. I’m scoring round 2 10-9 for DeFina on the strength of more control in the round, though it could go either way on the judges’ cards.
Round 3
This is the final 3 minute round of the bout and Spadell remembers his legs, throwing sold kicks to the legs and body. DeFina capitalizes on a kick and takes his opponent down and takes full mount. DeFina raises his hips and gets momentarily bucked off but again regains side mount. Spadell is unable to work his way up to his base. Spadell looks too tired to function and DeFina takes his back and digs for a rear naked choke. DeFina looks close to finishing the choke, but time expires. I’m giving that round to DeFina 10-9, and the fight to DeFina 30-27 or maybe 29-28.
Official Decision Miguel DeFina wins by unanimous decision over Dave Spadell (29-28).
Amateur Lightweight Bout
Bill Algeo (Team Titan PA) vs. Victer Crenshaw (Strong Style Fight Team)
Crenshaw is another of the high-level wrestlers on the card, with his roots in Ohio. If memory serves me, Crenshaw wrestled for the highly successful Notre Dame College outside of Cleveland, which is known for being a national powerhouse in Division III.
Algeo has possibly the most unique nickname of the night, being known as “the Honey Badger.”
Round 1
Crenshaw looks primed and ready. Crenshaw throws some heavy hands and lifts Algeo with a double leg and slams him with authority. Algeo looks to switch positions and Crenshaw is content to let him up. Algeo slips to the side of Crenshaw and locks in a deep rear naked choke, and another, and a third. Crenshaw is eating a good number of strikes to the side of the head, but appears to be okay at the end of the round. Tough round to score. Algeo didn’t absorb too much damage, and controlled the final minute of the round. Algeo 10-9 on my officially unofficial scorecard.
Round 2
Crenshaw looks more hesitant, and lands a stiff straight left out of his southpaw stance. Crenshaw baits Algeo into coming close and Crenshaw throws a big left hand. Crenshaw takes an incidental poke to the eye, and the fight is momentarily halted. Crenshaw swings wildly and gets slammed hard to the mat for his troubles. Algeo is in full mount and then takes Crenshaw’s back. Crenshaw is taking shots and gives up mount again. Algeo rains down punches and the referee jumps in to stop the fight.
Bill “The Honey Badger” Algeo wins by 2 nd Round TKO over Vic Crenshaw.
Amateur Light Heavyweight Bout
Tony Hodges (Team Hodges) vs. Tommy Deroia (Dungeon MMA)
Hodges is 3-0, while Deroia is 4-0. Deroia has a marked height advantage.
Round 1
Deroia starts with a jumping side kick and digs for a takedown. He locks up a quick rear naked choke and this fight is over.
Tommy Deroia wins by rear naked choke submission over Tony Hodges at 0:44 of the 1 st Round.
Amateur Lightweight Bout
Cameron Ross (Brick Wall Fight Club) vs. Josh Kallai (Evolve MMA)
Fans of amateur wrestling in the state of Ohio ought to have at least heard of Kallai. Josh is a member of the very successful Kallai family that has made a name for themselves wrestling for Wadsworth High School in the northeastern part of Ohio.
Round 1
Kallai has a marked height advantage. It appears that the entire Kallai fan club is sitting at the table behind me. Kallai eats some shots and looks hesitant to trade at first. Ross throws a front kick followed by a spinning back fist, that misses. Kallai looks take the fight to the ground and does, taking Ross’ back. Kallai has the hooks in and throws a bunch of strikes that don’t appear to be doing much damage. Ross is trying to regain his base, but Kallai is riding tough and keeping Ross’ hips flat on the mat. The round ends and Kallai took that one 10-9 on my scorecard.
Round 2
Ross looks to close the distance and Kallai shoots for a takedown. Kallai moves to sidecontrol, and Ross maintains a tight guillotine. Kallai takes full mount and is riding heavy, landing punches to Ross. Ross is throwing punches to the body from the bottom. Ross turns to his belly and Kallai moves to back control. Ross is flattened out and looks tired. Kallai looks fresh and Ross creeps back to the corner. Another 10-9 round for Kallai.
Round 3
Kallai scores a quick takedown and is in Ross’ guard. Kallai postures up and moves to back/side control of Ross. Kallai moves to mount and looks content to pepper his opponent with punches. Kallai postures up in full mount and keeps the punches coming. 10-9 again for Kallai. This one should be easy on the judges.
The official decision is Josh Kallai wins by unanimous decision over Cameron Ross (30-27 x2 and 29-28)
Women’s 115 lb. Bout
Ronda Gale (Dungeon MMA) vs. Holly Powell
Powell weighed in at 104, a solid 10lbs less than Gale, who may very well weigh over 115 by now. Powell throws lots of knees to the body and presses the action against the cage. Lots of knees and sloppy punches from both fighters. Powell is looking for a takedown. The fight goes to the ground and Powell looks for an armbar as the round ends. Round 1 was pretty even, but I’ll give the edge to Holly Powell 10-9.
Round 2
Gale looks energized and throws some wild punches. Powell is looking for a takedown. Powell won’t give up the takedown attempts and the fight is restarted. Both fighters look tired. Gale has the edge in the striking gameis picking away at her opponent. Powell scores a takedown at last as the round ends. 10-9 for Ronda Gale. On my officially unofficial scorecard, this fight is tied up.
Round 3
Gale with punches and Powell looks fot score a takedown. Powell is looking for an armbar but tirns it into a figure 4 of the head. Both fighters now have a figured 4 of the others’ head. I don’t know what to say besides we are now in uncharted territory. Gale is looking to reposture, and has halfmount . Powell looks for an armbarbut it’s too little too late. She nearly finished the submission as time ran out. I saw the 3 rd round for Ronda Gale 10-9, but we’ll send this fight to the judges.
Split decision for Ronda Gale over Holly Powell
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Amateur Bantamweight Bout
Victor Guarriello (Team Air Gad-Fly) vs. Cody Garbrandt (Mainstreet MMA)
This is going to be a matchup of 2 high level wrestlers, with Guarriello hailing from New York, and Cody Garbrandt wrestling at powerhouse wrestling school Claymont High School in Ohio. Matt Leyshock of StandThemUp.org tells me Garbrandt is also undefeated as a boxed in addition to hi s excellent amateur wrestling career. Garbrandt is wearing an Intimidation Cross t-shirt, which you can find at IntimidationClothing.com.
Round 1
Garbrandt has a strong following in the house, and both men look calm and collected. Garbrandt wbbles Guarriello with a right left combo and another. Guarriello is rocked and wobbles into the cage. The referee is justified in stopping the fight, and Cody Garbrandt is your winner in rapid fashion by TKO.
Cody Garbrandt wins by TKO over Victor Guariello at :36 of the 1 st Round
Following the fight, Garbrandt stated that he’ll be be taking on Tyler Saltsman in April, and he expects a war in that one, after a war of words that is already ongoing.
Amateur Bantamweight Bout
Tyler Saltsman (Team Titan PA) vs. Isaiah Chapman (Rock Hard MMA)
Saltsman is an experienced wrestler, putting in time with the Penn State Nittany Lions before turning to the cage. Chapman comes to the cage with his 2 NAAFS amateur belts in tow. Chapman is being sponsored by Intimidation Clothing, and is wearing an Intimidation Cross t-shirt. Chapman looks ready to put on a show, while Saltsman appears focused.
Round 1
Chapman comes out in a southpaw stance and avoids a quick takedown attempt by Saltsman. A Chapman punch knocks Saltsman to his butt, but Saltsman gets back to his feet. Saltsman is making no secret that he’d like to take his opponent down, and does, moving into Chapman’s guard. Chapman escapes and gives up a takedown via scramble. Chapman shows off great hips and balance in defending a Saltsman takedown. Chapman flurries with punches, bloodying Saltsman as Round 1 ends. I’m giving round 1 to Chapman 10-9.
Round 2
Chapman avoids a takedown and is showcasing his excellent boxing skills. Chapman wobble Saltsman with a right hook and Saltsman looks for another takedown. Chapman goes down but gains guard. Chapman gets to his feet and resumes the boxing. Chapman’s takedown defense is impressive. 10-9 Chapman.
Round 3
Saltsman takes the center of the cage quickly and looks for a takedown yet again. Saltsman gets a takedown and lands some punches. Chapman gets up and is taken down. Chapman snatches a guillotine, but Saltsman is giving the ref the thumbs up. Saltsman slips free and lands some havy punches. Saltsman looks like he knows that he nees to finish. Chapman swings wildly, and Saltsman shoots for a late takedown. This one is going to the judges, and I’m scoring the last round for Saltsman 10-9 on my officially unofficial scorecard.
Isaiah Chapman wins by unanimous decision over Tyler Saltsman (29-28x3)
Featured Professional Bouts
With the amateurs giving way to the professionals, I would like to take the time to remind you that this semi-live blog (prevented from being a true live blog by internet connectivity issues) is brought to you by Intimidation Clothing. The guys at Intimidation Clothing are on the cutting edge of MMA-inspired fashion at a fraction of the cost of the other guys. Take some time to check them out at www.IntimidationClothing.com for all of your MMA-inspired gear, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, fight shorts, and other apparel. They’ve been really outdoing themselves with a slew of new designs, including the hot-off-the-press John Hawk signature shirt, which will inevitably be worn by Hawk himself in tonight’s co-main event.
Professional Lightweight Bout
John Myers (Instigator Fight Team) vs. Bryon McCroskey (Griffon Rawl)
Myers was a late replacement for Clint Musser, who bowed out of this fight due to an injury sustained in training. Bryon McCroskey took some time to speak with me in preparation for his pro debut, and you can check out that interview at ProFighting-Fans.com. McCroskey told me that he wasn’t terribly worried about the change in opponent, because he feels that he should improve in all aspects of his game, and he doesn’t prepare in training camp specifically for one opponent.
McCroskey is making his professional debut, and looks excited to get the action started. McCroskey is absolutely ripped for fighting at 155 and looks to have a marked strength advantage over his opponent.
Round 1
McCroskey muscles Myers to the mat after stalking him for a minute. McCroskey looked for a choke but let Myers to his feet. Myers looks to have been wobbled by a leg kick and McCroskey threw a head kick, that Myers ducked and scored a takedown. McCroskey told me he was anxious to use all of his tools, and did so with some nasty elbows to Myers’ head from guard. Myers is keeping cool and looks to have a guillotine locked up. McCroskey slips loose and lands some heavy punches. Myers looks so calm for being hammered on. McCroskey can pack a punch and is beating on the ribs of Myers. Myers is clutching his right knee as the round ends and appears to be unable to stand on it. He is in some serious pain. Myers can’t continue and the referee is waving this fight off. Bryon McCroskey wins his professional debut by medical default over John Myers. Tough luck for Myers, who showed serious poise in the cage as well as toughness.
Bryon McCroskey wins by TKO after round 1.
Professional Light Heavyweight Bout
Josh Watson (Team Throwdown) vs. John Hawk (Strong Style Fight Team)
Watson is fighting for the first time in the NAAFS, and comes into a hostile environment against the hometown favorite John Hawk. Watson hails from Maine, and may be the 2 nd person I know from Maine after Stephen King.
Hawk is of course wearing his brand-new Signature T-Shirt by Intimidation Clothing. Hawk, as is his tradition, has a hairdo that matches his fight shorts. This time, Hawk is sporting red fight shorts with a red Mohawk. Not a lot of guys can pull of the red Mohawk, but not a lot of guys are John Hawk.
Round 1
Watson and Hawk trade jabs and both are clearly seasoned as they both look unfazed. Watson mixes in some leg kicks to Hawk’s lead leg, which is beginning to welt. Hawk lands some combos and Watson answers with a leg kick. Watson with a left hook and Hawk answers with a right hook that wobbles and floors Watson. Hawk drops repeated elbows and this one is getting ugly. The ref steps in and this one is over. Watson tries to stand and is unable. Hawk is fired up and stomps around the cage, shouting at anyone and everyone that he’s back.
In the post-fight interview, Hawk claims that he is back and will fight anyone, no matter where they’re from. He implores NAAFS CEO Greg Kalikas to bring on the best, because he’s ready for them. After some uninspiring performances, John Hawk came out and showed why he was the NAAFS Pro Series Heavyweight Champion. Hawk thanked all of his sponsors, including Intimidation Clothing, and all of his training partners at Strong Style MMA in Independence, Ohio. With training partners like Stipe Miocic, Brian Rogers, and Chris Lozano, it’s no wonder Hawk was looking sharp tonight.
Professional Catchweight (210 lbs) Bout
Dan Spohn (Cambridge MMA) vs. Josh Hendricks (Fight Farm/Nutter MMA)
Hendricks is being touted as a UFC veteran, having lost in his only outing to former top-prospect Gabriel Gonzaga. Hendricks previously fought for the NAAFS, and is back for another crack at the belt. It is interesting to note that Hendricks has fought all of his previous fights at heavyweight, and this bout was initially scheduled as a Light Heavyweight bout.
I had the chance to interview Dan Spohn, and he noted that Hendricks would likely be much larger on fight night, so Spohn was spending lots of time training with larger training partners, like Joe McCall, an NAAFS Heavyweight contender.
Hendricks is in the cage and is absolutely humongous. I thought Spohn was a good sized Light Heavyweight, but Hendricks is a giant. The fight is at a catchweight because Hendricks was unable to make weight. Spohn is sponsored by Intimidation Clothing, and is wearing the new Intimidation Fight shorts.
Round 1
Hendricks looks for a takedown, and Spohn defends. Hendricks looks for a kick, whiffs and slips. Hendricks quickly jumps to his feet and scores a takedown. Spohn landed a sharp elbow from the bottom and Hendricks can’t see. Hendricks is telling the referee that he can’t see! The fight is stopped and the referee is calling the fight off because Hendricks can’t see. The action started out fast-paced, but the end was a bit anti-climactic. Spohn is a class-act, but seems disappointed by the way things ended. He actually apologized to the fans for the way the fight ended. Dan is a classy individual and is now squaring off with the victorious John Hawk in the cage. This could be a sign of things to come between two tough Light Heavyweights. This brings the NAAFS Caged Fury 14 to a close. Thanks for following all of the action , brought to you by ProFighting-Fans.com and Intimidation Clothing.
Dan “The Dragon” Spohn wins by Doctor Stoppage in the First Round.
By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer