Undisputed Combat Championships

Matt Brown will be looking for another highlight reel knockout as the second round of the UCC light heavyweight Grand Prix continues on January 25th at the Hendersonville Expo Center in Nashville, TN. Brown, Ryan Walls, Teddy Holder, and Jesus Rivera are the semi-finalists looking to bring home the $10,000 check later this Spring in the first ever 205 pound tournament.
In the first round of the Grand Prix Matt Brown electrified the packed house at the UCC Arena when he knocked out previously unbeaten West TN prospect Carlton Little. Down two rounds to one late in the third round Brown dropped Little with only seconds left in the fight. Had the fight gone to the judges it would’ve been Little advancing to the next round of the tournament.

“The last round with Carlton was crazy,” exclaimed Brown. “My corner was telling me to go for it. I think they knew he was winning the fight and I had to do something to pull it out. I caught him with the right and it was over. Carlton was tough man and he was a great test in my first pro fight. I learned a lot about myself and I’m going to be ready for Justin. I hope he’s ready for a war.”

UCC President Angela Stout was thrilled with the main event at the last UCC show and expects Brown vs. Walls to deliver more fireworks.

“We saw what Matt Brown was all about in his last fight. We think Ryan Walls is going to push him and it’s going to be another barnburner. Walls ha shown he has slick submissions and Brown has KO power. That makes for a great fight and I really don’t see this fight going to the judges.

In addition to Brown vs. Walls, One of the top light heavyweights in the southeast, Teddy Holder will take on Jesus Rivera who has fought all over the country. Holder knocked out UFC veteran Sean Salmon in the first round of the Grand Prix to advance to the semi-finals. He is riding a 6 fight win streak and on paper looks to be the man to beat in the tournament.

“Teddy Holder is the real deal,” said Stout. “He has to be considered the favorite in the Grand Prix just based on his record. And when he knocked out Salmon in such impressive fashion I knew he was going to be a force in the UCC. I’m excited to see how he matches up with Jesus. Half of Jesus’ wins are by knockout so this one could be the fight of the night. The fans love knockouts and I think both of the fights in the Grand Prix are going to end that way.”

The Grand Prix the undercard will feature two standouts from the previous show that won by knockout, Kenny Thompson and Mario Scott. After racking up wins on the amateur circuit Kenny Thompson made his pro debut in November in impressive fashion. In just over a minute the Joey Brassell MMA lightweight scored the TKO win over James Foster. Now ‘The Black Mamba’ will face his next test in Chad Perrine, a teammate of Strikeforce standout O’Vince St. Preux.

Mario Scott will be looking for win #2 when he faces Chad Snider who will be making his pro debut. Scott defeated former pro boxer Karl Willis by TKO in the first round. After an action packed back and forth slugfest Scott got the fight to the ground and finished him with vicious ground and pound.

“We are excited to see Mario and Kenny on the card,” said Stout. “Both guys have a huge following in the Middle Tennessee area and both guys go for the knockout. You never see either guy go to a decision or have a boring fight and I’m excited to see how they do in their second professional fight.”

Two of the state’s top welterweights will collide when Ben Brewer and Craig Johnson meet in the UCC cage. Both men were decorated amateurs and actually met last year when Johnson defeated Brewer by TKO. Now Brewer wants to settle the score and hand Johnson his first loss as a pro. “Brewer vs. Johnson is a legit welterweight fight,” exclaimed Stout. “Both men have the skills to be in the UFC one day and I’m excited to see them go at it one more time. Ben couldn’t be touched as an amateur but Craig finished him. Now Ben wants revenge and Craig hopes to use him as a stepping stone to 3-0. It’s going to be a hell of a fight.”

“From top to bottom this card is stacked with local pros who are looking to take the next step in their career. Matt Brown’s brother Josh is on the card against Jesse Grun from East Tennessee. One of the pioneers of the sport Johnathan Ivey will be back. We had him on the last show and he showed these guys how you do an entrance. He’s a fighter and an entertainer and I’m excited to see him back in the UCC cage. He will be taking one of the baddest heavyweights around Mark George.”

Full fight card below;

  • 155lbs- Chad Perrine (1-3) (Knoxville MMA)vs. Kenny Thompson (1-0) (Brassell MMA Tennessee)
  • 155lbs – Chad Snider (0-0) (Team Extreme Tennessee )vs. Mario Scott (1-0) (Brassell MMA Tennessee)
  • 265lbs- Mark George (2-2) (Team Beeker) vs. Jonathan Ivey (33-49) (A Game MMA Tennessee)
  • 205lbs- Teddy Holder (7-1) (Princer Atletics Tennessee) vs. Jesus Rivera (4-4) Sportd Center Tampa Florida)
  • 205lbs- Josh Brown (0-0) (Brassell MMA Tennessee) vs. Jesse Grun (1-0)
  • 170lbs- Ben Brewer (1-0) (Tennessee BJJ Academy) vs. Craig Johnson (2-0) (Fit Factory Tennessee)
  • 205lbs- Ryan Walls (1-0) (peak submission Ohio) vs. Matt Brown (1-0) (Brassell MMA Tennessee)

For tickets or more info check out www.uccmma.tv 

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