Paddy Thompson knocked out Jose Valentin in the AFO main event on Saturday night to retain his welterweight title in impressive fashion. While the event was hurt by a few injuries and cancelled bouts, all the guys that fought delivered good action and the crowd was into it, with Thai Nguyen, Joe Lamoureaux, and Paddy “Thunder Kitten” Thompson getting the biggest support from the fans.
The event was once again held at the Sheraton Braintree hotel and the room filled up pretty solidly by the time the fights were underway. Promoter Pete DiLorenzo is showing no signs of slowing down the pace of events for his organization in 2010, having had the first local card of the year and another event planned for a little over a month from now. All in all a good, fast-paced night of fights.
JESSE PENNY vs GRAEME PRUE (3×3 Amateur Bantamweight)Red: Prue – 135lbs – Boneyard Blue: Penny – 135lbs – Inner Circle Ref: Dan C.Round 1: Exchange of kicks, Penny lands solidly, and then Prue gets a takedown. Prue working patiently to try and get a guillotine. They scramble and finally Prue now has it tightly, on his back with full guard. No choice but for Penny to tap.Official result is Graeme Prue wins by guillotine choke at 1:37 of round 1.
GEORGE KATSARS vs JIM ARMATO (3×3 Amateur Lightweight)Red: Katsars – 155lbs – Smithfield MMABlue: Armato – 156lbs – DoomsdayRef: Dan C.Round 1: Intense action to start, both guys going right at each other. Armato lands a solid couple of shots but Katsars is game and stays in there until getting a takedown. Back up to the feet brawling wildly again, Armato lands a clean shot and then so does Katsars. Now Armato decides to take it down. Katsars reverses and then in a scramble up to standing, takes Armato’s back and they hit the mat as he sinks in an RNC.Official result is George Katsars wins by rear naked choke at 2:52 of round 1. Awesome fight.
ZACK LYDON vs NICK RYDER (3×3 Amateur Welterweight)Red: Lydon – 170lbs – Mike Schneider’s MMABlue: Ryder – 170lbs – Inner CircleRef: Kevin M.Round 1: Ryder gets a takedown and almost has mount before Lydon gets back to his feet. Ryder gets rocked and shoots for a single leg but Lydon defends. Ryder is getting blasted on the feet but keeps fighting back. My score: 10-9 Lydon.Round 2: Ryder nice jab and then a knee in the clinch. Now Lydon is looking hurt and some blood is trickling. Both guys exchange big punches… this is a war. Lydon lands the cleaner ones and Ryder is falling down against the fence. Kevin jumps in to stop the fight.Official result is Zack Lydon wins by TKO due to strikes at 2:52 of round 2. Another great fight.
GRAEME BUTLER vs JESSE McELLIGOTT (3×3 Amateur Light Heavyweight)Red: Butler – 192lbs – Schneider’s MMABlue: McElligott – 206lbs – Connor’s MMARef: Kevin M.Butler has filled in on late notice to face McElligott, who is an imposing looking guy standing in the cage. If McElligott cut any weight to make it to 206, Butler’s 192 will be a real disadvantage.Round 1: McElligott throws a jab and a low kick, but then eats a nice punch from Butler. McElligott decides to take it to the mat with a big slam, passes to side and then to full mount. Big trouble as punches come down, ref steps in.Official result is Jesse McElligott wins by TKO due to strikes at 0:50 of round 1. He looks sharp and ready for a step up in competition.
THAI NGUYEN vs DANIEL SHIELDS (3×3 Amateur … got distracted and missed the weights)Red: NguyenBlue: ShieldsRef: Dan C.Round 1: Nguyen looking for a takedown but Shields ends up taking him down instead. Nguyen back up to his feet and mixing up his striking. Shields looks for another takedown and lands some good shots, is warned to not hit the back of the head. Shields looking for a guillotine but Nguyen gets out. Nguyen in half-guard, then to mount, then takes the back throwing punches as the round ends. My score: 10-9 Nguyen.Round 2: Clinched up Nguyen lands a good knee. Shields tries to pull guard but Nguyen ends up in side control and then full mount. Shields great sweep but immediately has to defend a triangle attempt from Nguyen. Shields slips out and takes Nguyen’s back. Great round. My score: 10-9 Nguyen.Round 3: Both guys swinging hard but nothing solid landing. Nguyen takedown to side control but then Shields reverses him again. Fast transitions and scrambling. Nguyen finally ends up on his back with Shields dominating position and throwing strikes. Shields owns this round. My score: 10-9 Shields.Official result is all 3 judges have it 29-28 for Thai Nguyen. Solid fight.
CHRIS MONSINI vs THEO DESJARDIN (3×3 Amateur Featherweight)Red: Monsini – 147lbs – IMDCBlue: Desjardin – 144lbsRef: Kevin M.Desjardin is filling in as a late replacement.Round 1: Desjardin clinches and throws a bunch of foot stomps. Monsini takedown into h ...
War On The Mainland
Former UFC and Strikeforce heavyweight title challenger Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello believes his August 14 showdown against 2-time UFC
heavyweight champion Tim “Maine-iac” Sylvia, headlining “War on the Mainland,” is
the type of match-up MMA fans have been clamoring for when the power striking pair
battle for the vacant Powerhouse World Promotions (PWP), LLC Heavyweight
Championship, live on Pay-Per-View from Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.
AFO Redemption
Over 1000 fans were in attendance for the first show of 2010 and the AFO did not disapoint. visit www.afomma.com for photos and videos from the event.
MMA Workout With WEC Vet Jeremy Lang
Riley Kerestes of www.MMAStation.com got a chance to watch WEC veteran Jeremy “The Landlord” Lang during his intense workout only 13 days before his upcoming Feb 13th fight. If you’re going to get through this grueling workout you better come prepared to sweat.
