By: Jeff Howard
PRO MMA (promma.info) was on-hand at the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon, for Sportfight XXV: Wild Card on Friday night. The ten fight card was nothing less than action packed, with all ten fights ending by (T)KO or submission.
The first three fights were amateur bouts (3×3 min. rds) featuring Team Quests’ Colt Toombs, who is the son of former WWE Superstar, Rowdy Roddy Piper. Colt won his third straight amateur bout by dropping his opponent, Tom Shrout, with a vicious knee, to earn the TKO victory at 56 seconds into the second round. Toombs looked very composed, and controlled the fight from beginning to end.
Prior to the second bout, it was announced that Tommy Grajo, an active member of the United States Army, was set to be deployed to Iraq the next day. Grajo was sent off with an impressive KO victory in the second bout of the evening, knocking out Chris Nealson of Team Chaos at 2:49 of round 1.
The third and final amateur bout lasted a mere 20 seconds, with Team Quests’ six foot seven inch super heavyweight, Big Will Walden knocking out his much shorter and very outmatched opponent Mike Hartley from NW Training Center.
After three extremely exciting and action packed amateur bouts, it was time for the professionals. The pro’s continued the theme of finishes, with a mix of submissions and knockouts, highlighted by the Sportfight middleweight championship bout, featuring Mario Miranda facing Tyson Jeffries.
The first five pro fights all ended by submission and in the first round. Most noteably, Strikeforce alumn Josh Bennet of Team Quest defeated Ryan Pope of Pope Fight Club vis submission due to strikes. And, in what many thought should be submission of the night, Casey Manrique of Complete Combat Systems defeated Team Quest fighter Daryl Cutler by a sick, and obviously painful, reverse arm bar from his back.
The last fight, and main event of the evening was for the 185 pound Sportfight Championship, which was vacated by Chris “The Crippler” Leben when he signed with the UFC. Undefeated Icon Sport alumn, Mario Miranda faced off with Team Quest up-an-comer Tyson Jeffries. The first round was mostly a feeling out period for both fighters, and looked to be won by Jeffries.
In the second round, Jeffries was hit south of the border with a knee for the second time, and was given five minutes to regain his composure. After the timeout, Miranda controlled the tempo and for a lack of better words, dominated the remainder of the round.
In the third, and what ended up being the final round, Miranda put his gameplan into fruition. After landing a few stiff punches and high kick attempts, Miranda finished off Jeffries with a standing armbar by verbal tap. The sound of Jeffries shoulder popping resonated throughout the arena.
With all ten fights ending by knockout or submission and all but one prior to round three, it was an exciting night of fights from Grand Ronde, Oregon. Showcasing a lot of young, up and coming talent in MMA, Sportfight XXV Wildcard did not disappoint.
PRO MMA(promma.info) would like to extend our thanks to Matt Lindland, Team Quest Manager Scott McKindrey, and Spirit Mountain Casino for their hospitality.
Quick Results:
Amateurs (3 rds x 3 min)
Bout 1 – 145 lbs
Colt Toombs (Team Quest) def Tom Shrout (Kut-throat Committee Kombat Club)
TKO (Ref Stoppage – Strikes) @ 0:56 Rd 2
Bout 2 – Heavyweight
Tommy Grajo (Team Quest) def Chris Nealson (Team Chaos)
KO @ 2:49 Rd 1
Bout 3 – Super Heavyweight
Big Will Walden (Team Quest) def Mike Hartley (NW Training Center)
KO @ 0:20 Rd 1
Professionals (3 rds x 5 min)
Bout 4 – 165lbs
Chris Yee (Team Quest) def Nathan Wallner (NW Training Center)
Rear Naked Choke @ 1:46 Rd 1
Bout 5 – Heavyweight
Josh Bennet (Team Quest) def Ryan Pope (Pope Fight Club)
Submission (Strikes) @ 2:54 Rd 1
Bout 6 – 185lbs
Casey Manrique (Complete Combat Systems) def Daryl Cutler (Team Quest)
Armbar @ 1:20 Rd 1
Bout 7 – 165lbs
Lloyd Woodward (Dogpound Fight Team) def Carmen Casella (NW Kenpo Karate)
Rear Naked Choke @ 2:31 Rd 1
Bout 8 – 170lbs
Daryl Fenner (NW Training Center) def Chris Ensley (Kut-throat Committee Kombat Club)
Submission (Strikes) @ 1:19 Rd 1
Co-main Event – Heavyweight
DJ Linderman (Team Do Somethin’) def Kyle Keeney (United Fight Team)
Rear Naked Choke @ 3:29 Rd 2
Main Event – 185lbs Sportfight Championship (5 rds x 5 mins)
Mario Miranda (AMC Kickboxing) def Tyson Jefferies (Team Quest)
Armbar @ 1:19 Rd 3
i have to say there were several early stoppages but a loud crowed and a fun time
A couple of the stoppages may have been a bit early, I agree, but I don’t believe any of the outcomes would have been different. Also, most of the fighters have barely, if any, pro experience, which I think aided in the ref’s stopping the fights early, for their protection. It was an exciting night of fights.