Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA): The goal of the NAFC (North American Fighting Championship) is to showcase the sport’s rising talent against proven veterans. That goal was certainly accomplished at “STAND YOUR GROUND,” as the NAFC made its debut with a bang this past Saturday, April 3rd, at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, WI. Featuring UFC and WEC veterans, “STAND YOUR GROUND” was a hit with MMA fans, as it featured lots of hot and heavy action. In the main event, former UFC fighter Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch conquered local favorite Reese “Old Man” Shaner via KO less than two minutes into the first round. The co-main event saw another UFC veteran in Razak Al-Hassan end a two-fight losing streak with a second round submission victory. In addition, local fighter Chico “King” Camus earned a huge victory as well, pulling off the upset over former WEC title challenger “The Triangular Strangler” Joe Pearson. It was a tremendous fight event for the promotion formerly known as Gladiators Fighting Championship, and was labeled “an absolute success” by local media.

Both Tim Boetsch (11-3) and his opponent, Wisconsin heavyweight favorite Reese Shaner (13-5), were enjoying winning streaks heading into the bout, but only one would leave with it intact. One devastating head kick later and it was Pennsylvania’s Boetsch who was standing tall. With heavy crowd support behind him, “Old Man” looked to take the fight to the UFC veteran as things got started. After some feeling out, he ate a teep (front kick), a strike Boetsch is known for, and it went downhill from there. Boetsch followed it up with a nasty kick to the head, and though some in the crowd felt the fight might have been stopped too early, the ref recognized that the Waukesha native was unable to intelligently defend himself and the fight was waved off. “The fight went a little differently than I expected,” said Boetsch.  “I expected Reese to come in and take me down, and I was a little surprised when he came out and tried standing up,” Boetsch told local fight media outlet WI Combat Sports. “Pleasantly surprised I might add…the first minute or so I timed him out and then planted a well-timed head kick on him.  I was very pleased with my performance.”

Roufusport’s Razak Al-Hassan (8-2), a slick ground fighter, made his return to Wisconsin a successful one as he withstood the challenge of a very game Richard White (9-4) in earning a submission victory. After stuffing some takedown attempts in the first round and inflicting some damage on his opponent, Al-Hassan clearly won the first round. In the second round, he showed some patience in waiting for his opening to come, and when it did, he capitalized. The fight went to the ground and Al-Hassan caught White in a rear-naked choke for the win. Al-Hassan snapped a two-fight losing streak in the process.

Heading into his bout with a former WEC title challenger, Chico Camus (5-1) knew that his work was definitely cut out for him. Joe Pearson (34-16-1) holds 34 MMA victories, with 28 coming via submission. Going to the ground with him is never a good idea. So Camus came prepared to stand, and that’s what he did. However, it was “The Triangular Strangler” who came out swinging in the beginning. Camus was able to avoid any significant damage, and in doing so, he began to respond in kind. Pearson switched game plans and started shooting in for the takedown, which “King” was able to avoid. He knocked the WEC vet’s mouthpiece out with a stiff left hand, which actually bought Pearson some time as the ref replaced the mouth-guard. After the fight was restarted, Camus threw a right hand that was the beginning of the end for Pearson. Camus poured it on, throwing rights and lefts until Pearson was no longer defending himself, garnering the ref stoppage. With his huge win, “King” may be looking for his crown soon.

UFC/WEC veteran Nick Agallar was supposed to compete on the card, but was unable to fight due to an injury. Look for him on a future NAFC event soon.

North American Fighting Championship is presented by Concede Fight Wear, Monster Energy Drink, FM 102.1 Milwaukee, Speedy Metals, and Med+Pro Imaging. Additional sponsorship and support is provided by Combat Corner Fight Shop, WICombatSports.com, ExpressMilwaukee.com, On the Border, Hooters Restaurants, The Milwaukee Times, Area Rental, Curtis Ambulance, Battle Against Dogfighting, Duke Roufus MMA Academy, and Budweiser/Beechwood Distributing. The official post-event after-party sponsor is StarBar, located at 631 N Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, WI.

Regarding “STAND YOUR GROUND,” NAFC Scott Joffe said, “On behalf of Duke Roufus and Gilbert Brown, the NAFC would like to thank all of our high energy fans who came out to support elite-level MMA in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Saturday night. The event was packed, and the action in the cage was as furious on the amateur card as it was through our main event.

“Special thank you to Tim Boetsch for taking the fight against Reese Shaner on short notice, and to Monte Cox for making it happen. It was great having both at our NAFC debut show. Next up, NAFC “Relentless” will take place on Saturday, August 7th on the Main Stage of the 2010 WI State Fair. Tickets go on sale April 10th at the State Fair box office. We invite all MMA fans to see high end, professional MMA at State Fair prices ($50, $25 & $10)!!”

Full results of “STAND YOUR GROUND” include:

  • 265 lbs: Tim Boetsch (Barbarian Fight Team) def Reese Shaner (Waukesha MMA) at 1:05 of R1 via KO
  • 205 lbs: Razak Al-Hassan (Roufusport) def David White (Fearless Fight Team) at 1:36 of R2 via submission (Rear Naked Choke)
  • 155 lbs: Sherron Leggett (Agallar Combative Systems) def Tim Samelstad (The Blast) at 4:32 of R1 via submission (Rear Naked Choke)
  • 135 lbs: Chico Camus (Roufusport) def Joe Pearson (Miletich Martial Arts) at 3:57 of R2 via TKO
  • 205 lbs: Karl Turek (Roufusport) def Andy Stock (Fearless Fight Team) at 1:39 of R2 via submission (Arm Triangle)
  • 125 lbs: Omar Choudhury (Roufusport) def Chris Beck (Team Ruffdawg) at 1:01 of R1 via submission (Leg Triangle)
  • 145 lbs: Jose Pacheco (Adrian Serrano Combat Gym) def David Rhoads (Typhon MMA) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • 205 lbs: Kyle Weickhardt (Roufusport) def Tim Nixon at 2:32 of R1 via TKO
  • 170 lbs: Ricky Stettner (Gracie Barra) def Desie Beadon (The Blast) at 1:47 of R2 via submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Amateur MMA:

  • 145 lbs: Adric Kennedy (Roufusport) def Amilio Torres (Waukesha MMA) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • 155 lbs: Ryan Mendes (Waukesha MMA) def Andrew Attebury (Roufusport) at 4:56 of R1 via submission (Ankle Lock)
  • 185 lbs: Jeff Clark (Team Ruffdawg) def Andrew Arcuri at 1:41 of R1 via submission (Rear Naked Choke)
  • 155 lbs: Aaron Yde (Roufusport) def Jason Norman (Adrian Serrano Combat Gym) at 1:36 of R1 via submission (Rear Naked Choke)
  • 185 lbs: D.C. Lewis (Adrian Serrano Combat Gym) def Matthew Pulley (Team Ruffdawg) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • 135 lbs: Jordan Rivera-Haasch def Jonathan Meins (Typhon MMA) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • 135 lbs: Raymond Spires def Michael Sayarath at 1:15 of R2 via TKO
  • 265 lbs: Rick Dimzoff (Gracie Barra) def Darin Rudolf (Team Ruffdawg) at :15 of R1 via TKO

Junior MMA:

  • 135 lbs: Sergio Pettis (Roufusport) def Axel Arcuri at 1:37 of R2 via TKO
  • 95 lbs: Zach Patrick (Team Ruffdawg) def Nathan Romero (Roufusport) at :48 of R2 via submission (Armbar)

Junior Cage Grappling:

  • 145 lbs: Israel Abiles (Roufusport) def Jona Wilson (Team Blast) at 3:23 of R1 via submission (Leg Triangle)

The NAFC is operated by famed fight trainer Duke Roufus and his business partner and producer Scott Joffe, who have joined forces with former NFL nose tackle and Green Bay Packers Hall-of-Famer Gilbert “Gravedigger” Brown to create a formidable promotional team.

Roufus is one of the most recognizable striking coaches in North America, and is considered to be one of the top trainers of Muay Thai Kickboxing outside of Thailand. He also runs the Roufusport Fight Club team, which includes UFC stars Ben Rothwell, Eric “Red” Schafer, Alan Belcher, Patrick Barry, and UFC vet Razak Al-Hassan.  Former students include former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver and The Ultimate Fighter season one star Stephan Bonnar.

Roufus and Joffe operate the Duke Roufus MMA Academy with multiple locations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Brown is considered by many to be one of the greatest run-stuffers of his era. He played in 125 Packers games, recording 292 tackles (186 solo) and seven sacks. Nicknamed “The Gravedigger” in honor of his celebratory dance following a thunderous tackle, Brown played in 15 Packers playoff games. His best season was 1996, when Green Bay won Super Bowl XXXI. He was also part of the Kansas team that won the 1992 Aloha Bowl, and was selected for the All-Academic Big Eight team in 1991. He fills the role of New Business Development Director for the NAFC.

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