Fight Nation and Deep Shot Cages held the very first MMA event in Siler City, North Carolina, tonight entitled March Badness Brawl. It was a great night of fights despite a couple of fights not taking place because of fighters not making weight. Fighters have to weigh-in twice here in North Carolina, not gaining more than 13 pounds between weigh-in’s.
The first fight between Kevin Spruill and Anthony Capps got things underway in the welterweight division. The fight began with the fighters clinching and Capps landing a couple of knees. They separated and Spruill landed a thunderous leg-kick right before taking Capps down. Spruill who was making his MMA debut, landed shots to the body of Capps while in his half-guard. However, Capp was able to get full guard and the round ended with Spruill trying to work some ground and pound.
The second round saw Capps land a leg kick, but then Spruill landed a 1-2 combo that dropped Capps. Spruill pounced with more punches, but Capps was able to stay active from his back attempting an arm-bar in which Spruill shrugged off. More ground and pound from Spruill before they get back up to their feet. Spruill landed a leg kick and some knees in the clinch as the bell sounded.
The third round saw Capps counter Spruill with a big right hand, in which Spruill responded with a 1-2 combo that landed. Another huge leg kick from Spruill. Spruill lands a jab and a front kick. Leg kick from Capps lands as the bell sounded. Judges rule the bout a Unanimous Decision for Spruill(30-27, 30-27, 30-27).Impressive debut from Spruill.
The second fight between David Lewis and Robert Smith was entertaining while it lasted. The two fighters clinched almost immediately with Smith landing some knees and then a take-down landing in the mount position. Big shots from Smith land. Lewis escapes the mount and threatens with a knee-bar attempt before switching to an ankle lock. Smith looked as though it didn’t bother him and then he attempted an ankle lock of his own. Smith pulls the switch and winds up in side control where he unleashes a couple of big shots as the bell sounded. In-between the rounds, the doctor comes in and takes a look at Smith’s shoulder who obviously is in pain. Smith elects to continue even though he can barely raise his arm to shoulder level.
The second round begins and they both trade combinations. Big right hand from Smith and then a huge slam, which must have tweaked the shoulder injury even more. Smith verbally submits just a few seconds later and Davis Lewis takes the win.
The third fight began after hearing a band perform live. A middleweight scrap between Mike Hazzard and Zack McCumber. Hazzard comes right out of the gate landing a big right hand, and a solid leg kick. It’s clear the length of Hazzard will be a problem standing for McCumber. McCumber gets a take-down while landing in full mount. Some ground and pound lands for McCumber before Hazzard reverses into McCumber’s full guard. The bell sounds as action slowed in the final minute or so.
The second round began with Hazzard landing some knees in the clinch. McCumber with another take-down, but Hazzard reverses him again. Hazzard in McCumber’s half-guard. Hazzard with some body shots, but then starts throwing huge knees that land to the body of McCumber. The knees are too much and Hazzard takes the victory via TKO.
The fourth fight between RahShun Ball and Varon Webb was odd because both fighters looked eerily similar to one another visually! The majority of this fight was spent in the clinch with Webb being the aggressor most of the time. Webb did a good job of landing knees and a few uppercuts from the clinch in the first round. Ball landed a big right hand and a knee to the body. Low blow from Ball halted the action, but Webb was able to continue. The round ended with Webb clinching and putting ball against the cage.
The second round was more of the same. Webb landed a right cross and took Ball down briefly. Ball back up to his feet and they clinch, trading body shots. Webb lands a straight left and Ball answers with a right hand. They clinch against the cage with Webb going for the take-down. He gets Ball airborne twice, but Ball grabbed the cage twice to stifle the take-down(ref didn’t see the grabs).
The third round saw Webb open with a straight left. Ball presses him against the cage, but Webb reverses and lands some knees in the clinch. Webb with another left and a couple of short uppercuts. Another low blow from Ball. Fight resumes and Webb lands a straight left/leg kick combo. They clinch again, and Ball lands a beautiful outside leg trip into a take-down landing in Webb’s half-guard. He tries to put Webb against the cage, but Webb pushes off the cage as the final bell sounds. Judges award the Unanimous Decision to Varon Webb(30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
The final fight of the night consisted of a professional fight between Israel Hernandez and Matt Dempsey. This one was over before it got started. They trade punches right off the bat. Then Dempsey landed a huge uppercut that rocked Hernandez. Dempsey charges forward as Hernandez retreats. Dempsey rocks Hernandez with punches again as Hernandez has his back against the cage. Dempsey with more punches and he’s out on his feet as the referee comes in to stop the fight. Impressive win for Matt Dempsey via TKO.
Awesome show, thanks for coming outKelvin, wish we could have spoken more.
Thanks Kelvin for doing a great job covering the March Badness Brawl. Thanks Fight Nation and Deepshot Cages for putting on a great event.
Congrats Matt! Wish we could have been then.
No problem guys..enjoyed it…look to see you again soon..also..rankings will be updated and posted on tomorrow!
the fights were good in the most part but al simmons is the worst promoter of a show ever it said the doors were to be open at 5 and didnt until 6 which is bad and had to wait over an hour for the fights to start and only had 5 fights when he said there was 8 and the whole show was so disorganized it wasnt even funny, the band was annoying i came there to see fights and just ended up like being at a concert it was not an enjoyable experience, 4 hours for 5 fights is just terrible al simmons is not professional.
I feel you…fights started late because the NC athletic commission was late getting there(ya know..important folk like the judges, etc)..so it all doesn’t fall on Al…I’m not a fan of the live music that was played…it is what it is..although the DJ was bumping some stuff I could relate too. In regards to only having 5 fights…there’s always a ‘card subject to change’ when it comes to combat sports…guys get injured a week from the fight…guys miss weight, etc. The promoter can only control so much…not to mention we are talking about amatuer fighters here.
Thanks for visiting the site though..and if you are a MMA fan..I’m sure you’ll enjoy the content here…make sure to bookmark us and spread the word. Hope your next MMA experience is better.