Tonight’s live blog is brought to you live by Fighters Guard Management, www.fightersguard.com, and Intimidation Clothing, www.intimidationclothing.com .
The actions starts live at 8:00 ET.
Jacob Byrd vs. Nathan Roach- Catch weight of 160lbs- And were off. Quick action by the two youngsters. A nice transition by Byrd who grabbed Roach’s back. Each changed positions in a very good 1st round. A very tight round. I give it to Byrd 10-9. 2nd round- Byrd transitioned into a nice RNC which Roach defended but suffered several blows to the side of the head forcing referee Jamie Toney to stop the fight. Official Decision Byrd via TKO due to strikes
Michael Eaton vs. Mike Rudick- Welterweight- WOW, an impressive knee by Rudick from the thai clinch ended the fight very quickly. Rudick from Son of Siam showed his Muay Thai training under the direction of Nathan Fitch. Official Decision via KO in :14 into the 1st round.
Jacob Wethington vs. James Douglas- Catch Weight of 142lbs- Both fighters showboated a bit-especially Douglas who entered the cage from the stands instead of the entrance. After they settled down Wethington landed a big shot but Douglas maintained his composure and after a nice sweep grabbed a nice RNC. Official Decision Douglas via tapout due to a RNC
Cory Nordwick vs. Corey Siffell- Welterweight- Nordwick forgot his cup thus had to head backstage. Immediately the Jeopardy theme was played which got a chuckle from the crowd. Siffell topped the drama by entering with a bandana on his face in outlaw style. Siffell quickly dropped some heavy bombs from the top position and forced Nordwick to give up his back 1:18 into the 1st round. Official Decision Siffell via tapout due to a RNC
Derik Byrd vs. Stephen Singleton- Lightweight- A back and forth 1st round with little action when Singleton grabbed a Triangle Choke with less than ten seconds left. Byrd tapped with 3 seconds left. Official Decision Singleton via tap out due to a Triangle Choke
Zac Mullins vs. Will Ramirez- Middleweight- Good 1st round as they open up quickly with the action. Finally Mullins crabbed the top position and dominated from there with some heavy ground and pound forcing a stoppage via TKO. Official Decision Mullins via TKO due to strikes
Joey Lowery vs. Aaron Hatton- Middleweight-An excellent and exciting first round. Both fighters through technique to the way side and threw some wild shots which got the crowd into it. The round ends with Lowery in control. A close 1st round goes to Lowery. 2nd Round- At the break Nathan Fitch was telling Hatton to settle down and use technique. He did so and dominated from there forcing a tap out due to strikes. Official Decision Hatton via tap out due to strikes
Mike Marripodi vs. Kenny Warrix- Middleweight- Warrix quickly took Marripodi to the ground and dominated from there forcing a referee stoppage. Official Decision Warrix via TKO due to strikes
Bobby Swakhamer vs. Matt Johnson- Featherweight- A back and forth start which saw Johnson get caught in an arm bar. He managed to reverse it and gain the top position. A very good first round–best of the night. I give it to Johnson 10-9. 2nd round- Swakhamer gained the top position and worked into a full mount. Johnson had a incredible sweep and fell into Bobby’s guard. A very good 2nd round-very technical fight. Easily the best of the evening thus far. Johnson up 20-18 going into the final round. 3rd Round- Johnson gained the top position until the referee stood them up. As they resumed Bobby landed a solid upper cut which took the ground to the fight. Johnson managed to gain his wits and gain top position. Bobby swept Johnson and grabbed his bank and landed a RNC forcing Johnson to tap out. Johnson’s corner disputed the call but the referee and the judges all saw a tap. Easily the best fight of the night. A professional level fight. Official Decision Bobby Swakhamer via tap out due to a RNC
Tanen Roe vs. Shaun Asher- Light Heavyweight-A tough first round. Roe had control but he didn’t do anything with it. He grabbed a guillotine choke but Asher escaped. He managed to get top position. A close round. Judged typically give this to Roe but he did nothing with top control. 2nd round- More of the same as Roe used his girth to keep top control. In this round he did attempt some submissions and won the round. 3rd Rd- Asher went for a take down where Roe grabbed a RNC and forced Asher to tap out. Official Decision- Tanen Roe via tap out due to a RNC
Zach Sanders vs. Jason Wolf- Light weight- Sanders is 9-0 and Wolf is 6-3-1. A great match-up… A very good start to the fight as both fighters used very good footwork. A great first round–a slight edge to Sanders 10-9. 2nd Round- A very good start on the feet as both fighters used great movement to escape. Sanders had the top position but nothing really happened. A very tough round to score. I give it to Sanders 2-1. 3rd round- Sanders did more of the same as he held a take down then unleashed with a fury of fists. Sanders should win 30-27. Official Decision- Sanders via UD 30-27
David Bernas vs. Joe Maiani for Ammy Featherweight Title-A very good start with Maiani catching Bernas’ kick but in the process ate a straight right. The fight goes to the ground with Joe landing several shots. Bernas showed his quickness by regaining his balance and pulling Joe into his guard. A very good 1st round I give it to Maiani due to his control. 2nd round- Bernas faked in and landed a wicked right hand which stunned Maiani. He showed his toughness, as he often does, and got the top position. Maiani then grabbed his back and forced Bernas to tap out via a RNC. Official Decision- Maiani via tap out due to what is being described as a neck crank
5 Minute intermission then Pro Fights:
Mike Jacobs vs. Tony Parker- Welterweight- After a few shots Jacobs gained top position but fell into a guillotine choke. Jacobs quickly tapped out. Official Decision Tony Parker via tap out due to a guillotine choke.
Heather Corder vs. Marissa Caldwell- 145lb Female- Caldwell landed an impressive take down and gained the top position. She gained a full mount and unloaded which forced Corder to give up her back. Corder spun out but got caught in an arm bar. She again escaped and was quickly taken down. Caldwell grabbed a RNC which Corder again escaped. Finally Caldwell sunk in an arm bar and finished the fight via tap out. Official Decision- Caldwell via tap out due to an armbar.
Josh Clark vs. George Oiler- 190 lb Catchweight- This should be a great fight between two guys who are 2-0. Clark has a distinctive height and reach advantage but Oiler landed a few leg kicks to start the fight. Clark landed a wicked strike that sends Oiler to the ground. Oiler regrouped quickly and took Clark to the ground. Oiler kept control and landed several strikes. Clark managed to get the fight back in the stand up and landed a wicked kick. He then landed a thunderous knee to Oiler sending him to the canvas. Oiler showed tremendous heart and survived. Clark landed several leg kicks which staggered Oiler. He landed another which send Oiler to the ground. Clark landed several strikes and the referee ended the fight as the clock was expiring much to the dismay of Oiler’s corner. Official Decision Josh Clark via TKO due to strikes 4:59 into the 1st round. That fight should not have ended. Tough call…
Main Event- Amateur Josh Franklin vs. Chris Smith- Super Heavyweight- Two very big guys started the fight very aggressively with each landing a blow to the groin. Both were throwing wild punches when Smith finally gains top position. Smith wins the 1st round. 2nd RD- Both fighters looked very tired with little action taking place. Smith landed the most shots so wins a very slow 2nd round. In between rounds Franklin decided to quit.
That is all from Hardrock MMA in Florence, KY.
Until next time, MMA fans stay out of life’s Triangle Chokes!!!!