MMA in CT
Bellator Update: Feb. 28 to include CT's Matt Bessette in Featherweight Tourney
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 01/27/14
Matt Bessette (12-4) will be part of Bellator 110's main card during it's Feb. 28 event at Mohegan Sun. Bessette, who is scheduled to fight Diego Nunes (18-5) will be one of eight fighters to compete in the opening of Bellator's Season 10 Featherweight Tournament. Bessette trains at Underdog MMA in Hartford.
The event is already attracting attention due to the presence of UFC legend Quentin "Rampage" Jackson (33-11) and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (11-3) in the opening of Bellator's Light Heavyweight Tournament. Jackson will fight Christian M'Pumbu (18-5) while Lawal will fight Mikhail Zayats (22-7).
The other featherweight matches include; Mike Richman (16-3) versus Desmond Green (8-2); Daniel Weichel (31-8) versus Scott Cleve (13-3); and Goiti Yamauchi (16-1) versus Will Martinez (7-2-1).
Further details are pending, although heavyweight Josh "Freight Train" Diekman (13-6) of Groton and former Danbury resident Ryan Quinn (8-4-1) have both stated they are scheduled to appear on the preliminary card.
Batte at the Sun Update: Mohegan Sun on Feb. 15
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 01/27/14
Peter Rogers of the MMA promotion ASAP and Mohegan Sun will present a mixture of Muay Thai and MMA bouts on Feb. 15 in Uncasville, CT. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in Mohegan Sun's Uncas Ballroom.
"I like to mix it up," said Rogers about the event's format. He said the promoters hope to secure 10 fights for the card. The card is still being finalized, he added.
Special guests will include the UFC's Dan Miragliotta. The event will include a Muay Thai clinic starting at 2 p.m.
AMMO Upate 2: AMMO grapplers in attendance at Renzo Gracie Classic
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 01/26/14
Bill Vigil of AMMO announced that several champions from the fifth AMMO Grappling Championship series are competing today at the Renzo Gracie Classic BJJ Tournament in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Competitors include Kym Sturdivant, who won AMMO's first featured "superfight" last year. We will post the results for this weekend's tournament as they become available.
The winners of AMMO Grappling Championship V are;
No Gi/60-79.9 pounds: Peter Ruiz (first), Justin Ortiz (second), Michael Nieves (third) and Dyllan Davis (also third).
Gi/60-79.9: Ruiz (first), Ortiz (second) and Davis (third).
Gi/Teen/90-114.9: Jason Gonzalez.
No Gi/Teen/135-169.9: Collin Donnelly (first) and Raymond Heredia (second).
Gi/Teen/135-169.9: Donnelly (first) and Heredia (second).
No Gi/129.9-139.9: Douglas Lemes (first), Tim Flores (second), Rene Rivera (third) and Patrick Pero (third).
Gi/129.9-139.9: Lemes (first), Rivera (second) and Paul Redmond (third).
No Gi/149.9-159.9: Joseph Giannetti (first), Dimas Escobar, (second) and Diego Escobar (third).
No Gi/169.9-179.9: Casey Lamonte (first), Keith Rivera (second) and Dakota Saratos (third).
No Gi/Heavyweights: Curtis Ward (first) and James Flasconaro (second).
AMMO Update: Next tournament starts on Feb. 15
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 01/26/14
By Brian Woodman Jr.
The Ammo Fight League, an organization based in South Glastonbury that presents mixed grappling tournaments, is starting the year with a flurry of activity. Not only will AMMO open it's sixth grappling tourney on Feb. 15 at Nomads Quest in South Windsor (see the company's site for more information on the venue), but the winners of the previous one on Nov. 2 will compete on Jan. 26 at the Renzo Gracie Classic International BJJ Tournament in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Unlike previous Ammo events, which focus strictly on a tournament structure with six events per series, the November event also included a "superfight" between former heavyweight and light heavyweight MMA fighter Kym Sturdivant (4-8) and Nima Gholampour of Manchester. Sturdivant won the event by scoring the first point during a sudden death round by scoring a takedown on Gholampour, according to spokespersons for AMMO. The fight was originally scheduled for 15 minutes with a winner determined by submission only, but went into a second round in which the first grappler to score a point would win. The battle lasted for a total of 22 minutes.
The next AMMO event will also include a featured bout between BJJ specialists Dan Simmler of Worcester, Massachussetts will compete against Joshua Owen of Middlebury. We will post more information on AMMO and the superfight competitors during the week, including links to videos from previous events.
Will Nick Newell put WSOF on the map?
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 12/10/13
As I watched Nick Newell earn his 11th professional career victory on Dec. 7 at World Series of Fighting, I found myself wondering what the future holds for this lightweight and the organization he is currently signed with.
Newell, a Milford native with a wrestling background, initially attracted attention because he possesses a daunting handicap for a fighter; he has no left hand and is missing part of his forearm as well. But Newell, who is undefeated, won his latest fights (his first two with WSOF) in the first round and seems poised to make a run for WSOF's vacant lightweight title.
On Dec. 7, Newell submitted opponent Sabah Fadai with a standing guillotine choke after about one minute and twenty seconds. Newell used his wrestling to press Fadai against he fence and go for a single leck takedown, trapping his arm as well. After he brought him to the ground, he let go and secured the hold around his neck. Both men got to their feet and Fadai tapped.
The UFC is obviously the premiere platform for professional MMA and earning a belt there remains the pinnacle for any serious fighter (it's only real competition is Bellator, which seems to put on consistently exciting events; a feat even the UFC can't always manage.WSOF remains a poor third on the national stage despite some legitimate talent in the cage (it's so new that it currently has only two belt holders as of this writing), but Newell is in a position to change that.
CES MMA tonight at Foxwoods
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 11/15/13
CES will be holding its second MMA show in Connecticut tonight at Foxwoods (see our events listing for more details). The Massachusetts-based organization, which also presents boxing shows, previously hold an event at the casino about three years ago. Please note that the professional record statistics in this entry were provided by CES.
There will be a familiar face on the card for those who attended the Bellator show at Mohegan Sun on September 7. Heavyweight Josh "Freight Train" Diekman (13-5) of Groton, who defeated Parker Porter of Southington on the undercard, will fight Chris Guillen (13-15) of Fort Worth, Texas.
The event will also feature ADCC and Bellator Veteran Blair Tugman (5-3), who will fight Eugene Barrett (3-6) of Toledo, Ohio in a bantamweight bout.
Another Connecticut fighter, Meriden-based light-heavyweight Willie Brown Jr., will fight Chazz Dowell of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dowell will make his professional debut tonight.
Other professional fights on the card include; Chuck O'Neil (11-6) and Chris Woodall (12-4) in a welterweight bout; Thomas Egan and Harley Beekman (4-2) in a middleweight bout; Dan Cormier (1-3) and Marvin Malonado in a flyweight bout; and James Murrin and Douglas Monteiro in a featherweight fight. Malonado, Murrin and Monteiro will make their professional debuts tonight.
Amatuer fights include; Kyle Bochniak (3-1) and Brian Allard (2-2) in a welterweight bout; Mike Piacentini (0-1) and Dashawn Robinson (1-1) in a bantamweight bout; Claudio Rene (1-0) and Jose Quinones (3-1) in a welterweight bout; and Ryan Pompeii and Romulado de Frietas in a welterweight bout. CES listed Pompeii and de Freitas as 0-0.
More information on CES may be found at http://www.cesboxing.com/.
Brennan Ward to fight on Nov. 8 for Bellator
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 11/07/13
Brennan Ward, one of a few Connecticut fighters like the UFC's Glover Teixiera and the World Series of Fighting's Nick Newell that is competing under national attention, is scheduled to fight on Nov. 8 in the final for Bellator's season nine middleweight tournament. Ward, who is 8-1 going into the last bracket, will fight Mikkel Parlo (11-1).
Ward, who entered the tournament as a replacement, defeated Justin Torrey (7-1) on Sept. 7 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville. He defeated Joe Pacheco (5-1) on Oct. 4 during the semi-finals.
Ward previously fought in Bellator 81, 89 and 91 before entering the tournament. After Friday's bout, Nutmegmma.com will be posting the results and an article on Ward.
Next Reality Fighting event at Mohegan Sun announced
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 11/04/13Spokespersons for Reality Fighting announced that the organization's next Mohegan Sun event will be on Jan. 4 of next year. Further details are pending.
Reality Fighting results from Nov. 2
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 11/04/13
Brandon Fleming won Reality Fighting's featherweight belt from Erik Lee during the main event on Nov. 2 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, earning a technical knockout as the referee waved off the fight at 2:04 into the first round.
The event opened with an amateur flyweight fight between Nate Russell and Kenny Morrell. Russell won by submitting Morrell with a rear naked choke at 2:41 into the first round.
Dan Dubuque defeated Grant Mosley by decision during an amateur featherweight fight.
Evan Scott won a professional featherweight fight with Manny Millan. The bout was stopped at about 3:39 into the third round when Scott choked out Millan.
Manny Bermudez secured a guillotine choke and submitted Joshua Carrero at 31 seconds into the first round of their amateur bantamweight fight.
Leon Davis won an unanimous decision during a professional lightweight fight against Bradley Desir.
Ralph Johnson knocked out Jason Ward during a professional middleweight fight preceding the main event. Johnson knocked down Ward twice, securing a win at about one minute into the first round.
There were several changes to the card since www.nutmegmma.com first reported about the event. These include a professional lightweight bout featuring Addison O'Neil.
More details in the fight and pictures are coming shortly.
Interview with Flex Armstrong (Jason Barrett); pro wrestler and MMA fighter
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 10/12/13
Big Time Wrestling, an independent professional wrestling organization based in Massachusetts, will be putting on a show tonight at Bristol Eastern High School in Bristol, CT. Kevin Nash, Mickie James and Tito Santana will be appearing during the event (more information is available at http://www.big-time-wrestling.com/store/events/101213-bristol-ct/).
Among the highlights will be a match between defending champion Flex Armstrong and challenger Slyck Wagner Brown. Barrett also fights in MMA bouts under his real name, which is Jason Barrett.
Barrett is officially 2-0 as an amateur, and has fought in the Global Fight League and King of the Cage. He states that he went 4-0 in a King of the Cage tournament. We caught up with Barrett and asked him some questions for the site.
Nutmegmma: What prompted your interest in pro wrestling?
Barrett: Always have been a huge fan growing up. I used to have matches as a kid in my living room.
Nutmegmma: When and why did you decide to pursue a career in it?
Barrett: I always entertained the idea, but after strong encouragement from former wrestler "Superstar" Richard Byrne, I decided to give it a shot.
Nutmegmma: Have you wrestled with other organizations?
Barrett: I casted for WWE Tough Enough in 2011 before leaving for personal reasons before filming.
Nutmegmma: How many professional matches have you participated in?
Barrett: Lost count.
Nutmegmma: Where did you train as a wrestler?
Barrett: Malden at Superstar Pro Wrestling, trained by Tony Roy.
Nutmegmma: Do you have a high school or college wrestling record?
Barrett: I did not. I trained to box through high school.
Nutmegmma: Who are your professional influences in the wrestling world?
Barrett: Nobody current. I tend to emulate or try to pick up things from wrestlers of the past; Bret Hart, Dynamite Kid, Chris Benoit.
Nutmegmma: Do you have any goals in pro wrestling?
Barrett: Yes, be memorable at whatever stage, level or venue, to have people leave and remember that they saw me.
Nutmegmma: Any advice for people considering a career in wrestling?
Barrett: Stay in school and get a well-paying desk job.
Nutmegmma: Any comments for detractors of the sport?
Barrett: I always do. Until you get in a pro wrestling ring in front of true wrestling fans with a true professional wrestler, you have no idea just how real this is.
Nutmegmma: Do you have any details regarding your body building background?
Barrett: Bodybuilding is and always will be a mainstay in my lifestyle at some level. I've competed and won awards at top NPC bodybuilding shows and I'd say there's a very good chance I'll be stepping onstage in the future.
Nutmegmma: What do you do for work apart from wrestling?
Barrett: Personal Training Director at IM Modern Fitness in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Nutmegmma: Do you any particular goals in MMA?
Barrett: I fight MMA when I have downtime in wrestling. It's effortless for me. I've been knocking people out outside of the cage for years; doing it inside the cage just means I have to worry about getting a shiny new pair of bracelets.
Nutmegmma: Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight?
Barrett: I would love to fight Dave Bautista. I've challenged him openly, publicly and every way imaginable just to have him shy away. He's a joke and a disgrace and I'd love to take his head off in an MMA cage (editor's note: we don't condone this response and would welcome a rebuttal from Mr. Bautista).
Nutmegmma: I saw your 1:48 KO (see link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xesWfHrgziM). Which martial arts styles are you trained in? Do you hold any particular ranks?
Barrett: I'm just a superior athlete, plain and simple. I don't train MMA, I'm just a very dangerous person. So when I get in the cage, how bad my opponent gets hurt all depends on what type of mood I am in.
Bellator 98: Cooper versus Shlemenko
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
Reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Alexander Shlemenko of Omsk, Russia fought Brett Cooper of Long Beach, California during the main event for Bellator 98. It came off an exciting opening to Bellator's latest middleweight tournament.
First Round: Mostly stand up with Shlemenko attempting an estimated five spinning back fists. Cooper pushed Shlemenko against the fence during a takedown attempt.
Second Round: Both men came out throwing lots of kicks. They clinch at 3:11. Shlemenko attempts more spinning back fists but Cooper scores a takedown. They get up at 2:19. There is a furious exchange of punches and Shlemeno, now bloodied, is visibly shaken. Cooper gets him against the fence and scores a double leg takedown as the round ends.
Third Round: More punches, kicks and knees are thrown. Shlemenko takes a few brutal shots, but throws up his hands shortly after as if in defiance. Cooper takes down Shlemennko, but fighters are on their feet shortly afterward.
Round Four: Shlemenko opens the round by flooring Cooper. Shlemenko is more dominant and energetic during the stand up. It goes back and forth. Both men are eating shots with Cooper becoming more aggressive. Shlemenko ends the round by nearly landing a spinning back kick in Cooper's face.
Round Five: More exchanges, then Shlemenko takes down Cooper. They are on their feet at about 1:40. Shlemenko scores another take down. They are on their feet with less than a minute left. Shlemenko takes Cooper down again.
The winner by unanimous decision; Shlemenko.
Bellator 98: Middleweight Tournament (Parlo versus Rogers)
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
The final bout in the tournament featured Mikkel Parlo of Copenhagen, Denmark against Brian Rogers of Kent, Ohio. Following this would be the main event; Brett Cooper versus Alexander Shlemenko for the Middleweight Championship.
The first round began with punches and kicks exchanged. It ended with Parlo kneeing Rogers in the face. In between included Rogers being knocked down twice and stuffing a take down attempt by Parlo.
During the second round, Rogers landed some kicks and both fighters attempted Mauy Thai plums and flying knees to the face. They wound up on the ground and Parlo mounted Rogers twice trying for ground-and-pound. Parlo remained on top as the fight ended.
The two fighters clinched more in the third. Both used knees, although Rogers seemed to favor dirty boxing. Parlo wound up on top and in Rogers' full guard. The two scrambled on the ground with Parlo maintaining dominance. The two stood up and clinched, but wound up on the ground again. Parlo kneed Rogers several times as he tried to stand up while against the fence, catching him in the face and sending him to the ground. Rogers remained conscious as Parlo dropped bombs. The round appeared to end before referee Kevin MacDonald could end the fight. Parlo wins by unanimous decision.
Bellator 98: Middleweight Tournament (Butcher versus Santana)
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
Jason Butcher of Cincinnati, Ohio and Giva Santana of Irvine, California fought next. I wondered beforehand if the bout would prove anti-climatic as the Bellator ring girls used a plastic gun to fire t-shirts into the audience. It wasn't.
Filkins and Ward had secured their places in the next bracket of the tournament. There were two more fights left to determine which four middleweights would remain.
Santana seemed bored while Butcher seemed ready to spring. After an exchange, Santana takes down Butcher and tries for a choke, winding up taking his side. Butcher tries to get Santana's leg into his half guard. the two continue to struggle on the ground at 2:10. Santana bully mounts Butcher after some struggling and throws a few bombs, then ttries for a front choke. Butcher reverses, but Santana gets back on top seconds before the round ends.
The second round opens with stand up and Butcher stuffing an attempted takedown by Santana. Butcher knocks down and pummels Santana at about 3:50 into the round, ending the fight.
Bellator 98: Middleweight Tournament (Torrey versus Ward)
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
Justin Torrey of Springfield, MA fought Brennan Ward of Waterford next. There was some fast scrambling that culminated in Torrey on top and dropping punches while Ward struggled to put him in closed guard. Torrey wound up on top and in side guard, dropping knees into Ward. Torrey bully-mounted and punched Ward as the first round ended.
The next round began with an energetic exchange that included kicks. There was some clinching, with Ward dropping punches and wining up in Torrey's guard. He stood up and dropped Torrey as he clung to him. They stood up at 2:15. At 1:58 Ward landed a running punch, getting on top of Torrey again. Ward threw a flurry of punches down on Torrey, who was bleeding, and the fight was eventually waved off with under two minutes left.
Bellator 98: The Middleweight Tournament Live (Filkins and Kimball)
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
The middleweight tournament for the ninth season opens with Perry Filkins of Hooksett, New Hampshire fighting Jeremy Kimball of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Punches exchanged with Kimball throwing a lot of leg kicks. Kimball throws a few flying knees. Kimball scores a takedowm then pins Filkins against the fence. Kimball scores another takedown after some stand up. Kimball scores a third take down. They stand up at about :18 and Filkins suddenly explodes on Kimball with punches and leg kicks. Kimball takes Filkins down with a double leg and the round ends.
During the second round, Kimball takes Filkins' back as both men stand and pins him against the fence. Filkins is on top of Kimball and in his open guard. Kimball pins Filkins against the fence againand throws knees. Kimball attempts a choke while Filkins lifts him in the air and drops him. By the end of the round Filkins has mounted Kimball's back and is raining punches on him.
During the third round, Filkins has a cut on his face. There is a spirited exchange at 3:08. Filkins is on top of Kimball at about 2:30. He switches from Kimball's open guard to side mount, eventually taking Kimball's back more than once and finally securing a rear naked choke with about a minute left.
Anderson and Pitbull: The Third Round
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13The third round begins with stand up and a few exchanges that include high kicks, solid punches and a takedown attempt by Pitbull. Anderson appears more aggressive and throws more high kicks, including a spinning back kick that appears to connect with Pitbull's head. Pitbull throws a few combos. They clinch with five seconds left to no result. Anderson wins by unanimous decision.
Bellator 98: Live coverage of Main Card (Derek Anderson versus Patricky Pitbull)
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
The arena is getting rowdy as Bellator prepares for the main event that will be aired on Spike TV. The highlight is a middleweight title fight and the opening of the middleweight tournament that will open Bellator's ninth season.
The main card opens with a lightweight fight between Derek Anderson of San Diego, CA and Patricky Pitbull of Natal, Brazil. Anderson enters to the Ronnie James Dio version of Children of the Grave (good call!). Pitbull enters after, dubbed the "Brazilian Power Puncher" by the announcer. The tone is now far more bombastic. And now we are on the air....
Each fighters knocks the other down early in the fight. Pitbull, who fell first, eats a few punches and is pushed against the fence. By the middle of the first round they are circling each other.The exchanges of punches and kicks appear tempered, but Pitbull scores a takedown. Sweeping occurs and Anderson is on top. Pitbull attempts a triangle choke. Both fighters are stood up shortly before the round ends.
Anderson opens the second with a head kick that misses. He falls and Pitbull is on top. Now they are standing. Anderson appears more agressive as they stand. Solid punches are exchanged at 3:28. Anderson throws a head kick and Pitbull responds with an attempted double leg takedown. Pitbull takes to his own back eventually an dtries to beat Anderson. They stand again. The round ends with both men standing.
Bellator 98: Preliminary fight results live from Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/07/13
Josh Diekman of Groton knocked out Parker Porter of Middletown during a heavyweight bout on September 7 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville at Bellator 98 in front of a rowdy, screaming crowd. The crowd appeared generally friendly to Porter, although Diekman appeared to have his share of fans. There was a tentative exchange of punches and lower leg kicks, but the fight was waved off at almost four minutes into the first round as Diekman pounded Porter, who was on his knees attempting what appeared to be a double leg takedown.
The evening began with three previous first-round victories. Rico Disciullo of Peaboby, MA knocked out Glenn Allair of Cranston, RI during a bantamweight fight. Matt Bessette of Hartford knocked out Nick Piedmont of California during a featherweight bout. Former nutmegger and lightweight Ryan Quinn, who now lives in Coconut, Fla, submitted Brylan Van Arsdale; a replacement for scheduled opponent Andrew Calandrelli of New Haven.
The final preliminary fight was a light heavyweight bout between Jeff Nader of Nashau New Hampshire and Mike Mucitelli of Syracuse, New York that ended in a no-contest. Nader knocked down his opponent early in the first round but got pinned against the fence before the fight resumed in the center of the cage. As the round continued, Nader knocked down Mucitelli but got poked in the eye as he stood over him dropping bombs. The referee stopped the fight as doctors examine him, eventually waving the fight off. The audience is obviously displeased with this development and there is loud booing during the examination.
Preview of Bellator 98: Part Three - Live coverage on Blog
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/06/13
www.nutmegmma.com will post live coverage of Bellator 98 from Uncasville tommorow evening on our blog. We are pretty excited about this and hope you will join us.
We will also post more profiles of some of the local fighters that are participating in this event, which promises to be important despite some card changes that we reported in our previous two blog entries.
Preview of Bellator 98: Part Two - Joe Warren, Nick Kirk dropped from card
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 09/06/13
Staff persons at Bellator Fighting Championship's offices confirmed this morning that the bantamweight bout between Joe Warren (11-2) and Nick Kirk (9-2) that was scheduled for Bellator 98 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville on September 7 has been postponed to a later date.
Warren is a former featherweight champion for Bellator and a noted Greco Roman wrestler. He was also one of the four coaches for Bellator's Fight Master television series which began this year. Kirk has fought at three previous Bellator events.
During the next few entries, we will discuss the scheduled card in detail and will provide information on some of the Connecticut fighters that will participate.
