In With A Bang!

While I don’t condone fighting, the new kid on the block is a youngster named MMA, who is as close as your nearest Arena.

Grappling, Pinning, Muay Thai, Axe Kick, Choke, Cross, Elbow Strike and Clinch are probably terms you have never heard of, but in the world of MMA, including in equipment stores like Attack The Back, they are quite common.

Recently they were in Vancouver at the PNE’s Agrodome, next to the Coliseum where the Canucks used to play, but since then they moved east – this time to Edmonton in the AgriCom building.

Using a more traditional cage setting the World Series of Fighting Canada held its first Edmonton and it’s been years since events of any type have been held at this venue and that alone gave the it the feel of being in an arena, some of which are held at larger convention centres in various cities.

Everyone got the money’s worth as no different than Vancouver they had a dozen fights on the card gave the buying public plenty to cheer about.

No fewer than seven (7) undercard bouts took place and from what I am told it might have been about three too many, but on a positive note – every fighter (all but one on the card) was a Canadian.

While co-owner Steve Feder is unable to control everything, he was frustrated that three fighters did not make weight, which does shows a somewhat lack of professionalism that simply would not be tolerated by other companies or sporting organizations.

It’s called growing pains and that is something we can live with as long as we get the bang for the buck we spend.

MAIN CARD EVENT:

Ryan Ford has a sincere reputation as the most exciting MMA fighter in Edmonton and from what I am told it is only his past prevents him from being a star in the UFC.

Ford earned the 11th knockout of his career moving his record to 22-4 when managed to put down Hamilton’s Joel Powell in just 53 seconds to win the WSOF Welterweight Title after delivering a front kick to his opponent.

When it was over, he still had enough high energy to jump up and sit on top of the cage as the crowd cheered and shouted with sheer delight for his victory.

mealinho Rama bounced off his first career loss and handed former U.S. wrestling Olympian Steve Mocco his first loss with a hard-fought unanimous decision.

Michael Hill of Kelowna pummelled the left side of Hamilton’s Ryan Dickson’s face at will but had to settle for a unanimous decision.

Red Deer’s Josh Mahan broke his hand in the first, but hung on for a split decision against Adam Lorenz.

Lethbridge native Brandt Dewsberry sent fans of local fighter Mark Drummond disappointed when he put on the real naked chokehold at 4:31 of the first round.

DA UNDERCARD

Tim Hague was a huge reception his hometown crowd and rewarded them with first round TKO over Lee Mein in a fight that had a lengthy timeout, only due to a Hague low blow.

Hague somehow managed to bounce back for the win after being staggered by a three-knee combination to the chin earlier in the bout.

Full marks in the opener featuring a couple of local fighters making their pro debuts and Stuart Fontaine was rewarded for his effort with a winning time of 2:11. I am told that he is a Fighter to watch for upcoming events.

MAIN CARD

Ryan Ford (22-4) vs. Joel Powell (7-4)

Canadian Welterweight Title

Ford, kockout, 53 seconds, first.

Steve Mocco (4-1) vs. Semalinho Rama (7-1) , Rama, unanimous decision.

Michael Hill (6-2) vs. Ryan Dickson (6-1), Hill, unanimous decision.

Josh Machan (12-4) vs. Adam Lorenz (7-4), Mahan, split decision.

Mark Drummond (5-2) vs. Brandt Dewsberry (11-3-1), Dewsberry, rear naked chokehold, 4:31, first.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Mike Kent is from Fort McMurray, which is about five hours north of Edmonton.

Lenny Wheeler (6-3) vs. Will Romero (9-4), no contest due to unintended injury, 4:47 first.

Mike Kent (10-4) vs. Matt Baker (9-6), Kent, split decision.

Tim Hague (16-8) vs. Lee Mein (6-13), Hague, TKO unanswered blows, 4:21 first.

Owen Carr (5-2-1) vs. Maged Hammo (5-4), Carr, unanimous decision.

Behrang Yousefi (5-4) vs. Hakeem Dawodu (1-0), Dawodu, knockout, 1:07 first.

Roger Alves (2-1) vs. Jemark Brady (2-3), Alves, unanimous decision.

Justin Evans (0-1) vs. Stuart Fontaine (1-0), Fontaine, TKO unanswered blows, 2:11 first.

I am told by the Event Announcer Don Andrews, it was a huge success for the first time in Edmonton, despite the snow!!