Talon Challenge IV Results & Writeup

My apologies to Full Contact Fighterÿcontributor Mikie Martinez for this taking so long, but thanks to him, we have a writeup of Wade Hampel’s Talon Challenge IVÿon May 16th, produced by Saul Soliz’s LMS Productions.ÿ A good show with some surprises, click on READ MORE to see how your favorite Texas fighters performed in the latest chapter in the Renegades Extreme Fighting saga.

Talon Challenge/Extreme Fighting

Corpus Christi Memorial Coliseum-Corpus Christi, Texas

By Michael “Mikie” Martinez

ÿ

Howdy, from the lone star state!ÿ On May 16, 2003, Corpus Christi was treated to some great MMA action.ÿ Promoter Wade Hampel, the worlds greatest public speaker, earlier in the night told me that Corpus has the most fanatical fans when it comes to MMA.ÿ Hampel was right, as 1800 fans came out to see the whos who among fighters in the Texas fight scene and see why they are so well respected.ÿ Champions came to defend titles, veterans came out to show their skills, and first timers showed that they are not scared to take on the best that Texas has to offer.

ÿ

Fight 1

Frank Alcala (Team Pound) vs. Hector Munoz (Weapons at Hand)

ÿ

Munoz immediately shot in and took Alcala to the ground.ÿ Munoz worked his way to the mount but the ring-savvy Alcala was able to work his opponent off of him.ÿ The fights were back on their feet, but a trip put the fighters back on the ground with Munoz this time working for the rear naked.ÿ Munoz rolled Alcala putting both fighters on their backs with Alcala working to get out of the choke.ÿ Alcala then turned to face Munoz but when he did, he posted his arm and Munoz executed a textbook armbar from the bottom.

ÿ

Result: Munoz by armbar in round 1.ÿ Munoz earned submission of the night honors.

ÿ

Fight 2

David “Bela” De Los Santos (Team Pound) vs. Jonathan Ivey (Third Column)

ÿ

Ivey landed a big throw on the De Los Santos and then pulled him into the middle of the ring to so he could start working his ground and pound.ÿ De Los Santos pulled Ivey into a half guard and Ivey started throwing some fierce shots from on top.ÿ De Los Santos, ever the veteran, patiently weathered the storm and threw some shots of his own from the bottom.ÿ Ivey then went for a heel hook but De Los Santos spun and both fighters were in a two on one position.ÿ In this position, both fought frantically for leg locks but De Los Santos sambo experience showed as he was able to lock out an Achilles lock for the victory.

ÿ

Result:ÿ De Los Santos by Achilles lock in round 1.

ÿ

Fight 3

John Flores (Team Pound) vs. John Holmes (San Diego Grappling Club)

ÿ

Flores, a self trained fighter, has recently been adopted by Luis Benavides and the Team Pound crew.ÿ Before the fight, Benavides told Flores to “let his hands go” and it was evident as Flores knocked out Holmes via a straight right hand down the pipe at the 17 second mark of round one.ÿ Although bleeding, Holmes was fine and received a standing ovation when he exited the ring.ÿ

ÿ

Result: Flores by KO in round one.

ÿ

Fight 4

Kristian Rothermel (Leonardo Xavier) vs. Chad Cook (Patumwadee Gym)

ÿ

Round 1

Rothermel initiated the action by bodylocking Cook and working him into the ropes.ÿ The fight then went to the ground with Rothermel pulling guard on Cook.ÿ Cook went for a leg submission and this put Rothermel in Cooks half guard.ÿ Cook beautifully reversed his position from the bottom and landed some nice shots to Rothermels face.ÿ Rothermel then worked to his feet but Cook executed a throw that sent Rothermel back to the canvas.ÿ Rothermel looked very calm and poised while he was on the ground.ÿ The round ended with Cook inside the guard of Rothermel.

ÿ

Round 2

The fighters clinched up in the center of the ring with Rothermel throwing knees to the midsection of Cook.ÿ Cook takes down Rothermel again.ÿ Rothermel looked like he locked up the victory by securing a kimura from the bottom, but Cook took his time and worked his way out of the submission.ÿ Rothermel then transitioned to a triangle and pounded on Cook from the bottom.ÿ Cook remained relaxed but could not defend the barrage of strikes that Rothermel was throwing from the bottom.ÿ Cook eventually tapped due to the tightly sunken triangle.ÿ

ÿ

Result: Rothermel by triangle in round two.

ÿ

Fight 5

Jose Luis Munoz (Team Pound) vs. Jimmy Cleaver (Relson Gracie)

ÿ

Munoz threw a kick to Cleavers legs to close the distance on Cleaver. Munoz then worked Cleaver into the corner and brought Cleaver down with a huge double leg.ÿ From the bottom, Cleaver worked his legs up high on Munoz to go for the armbar.ÿ Munoz fought off the first attack but Cleaver was able to secure the other arm and got Munoz to tap early in the first round.

ÿ

Result:ÿ Cleaver by armbar in round one.

ÿ

Fight 6

Kickboxing Match

Anthony Njokuani (Janjira Muay Thai) vs. Adam Ibarra (Weapons at Hand)

ÿ

This was a kickboxing match that consisted of five two minute rounds.ÿ This fight went the distance to the delightment of the crowd.ÿ Neither fighter was scared to trade as both Njoukani and Ibarra landed numerous leg kicks and punches but Njoukani knock down of Ibarra in round number three was enough for him to squeak out the victory on the judges card.ÿ The crowd stood up and cheered for both fighters while the decision was being handed down.

ÿ

Result:ÿ Njokuani by unanimous decision.ÿ

ÿ

Fight 7

Matt Green (Janjira Muay Thai) vs. Brandon McDowell (Phil Cardella/ Relson Gracie Austin)

ÿ

Round 1

McDowell quickly shot in for the takedown and was able to control the larger Green throughout the first minute in round one.ÿ However, Green swept McDowell from the bottom and McDowell quickly pulled guard.ÿ Green then spun and the fighters ended up in the north south position.ÿ The round ended with Green gaining side control on McDowell.

ÿ

Round 2

McDowell initiated the attack again with a quick single leg on Green. Green sprawled and McDowell found himself in the same position that he was in at the end of round one.ÿ Green controlled McDowell throughout the entire round however he never went for any submissions although he had numerous chances.ÿ The rounded again with Green in a side mount on McDowell.

ÿ

Round 3

McDowell again came out strong but this time was able to bring down Green and gain the side mount quickly.ÿ The crowd went into a frenzy because they know how dangerous McDowell is from this position.ÿ However, Green remained calm and reversed his position once again from the bottom to the top.ÿ Just as Green was able to achieve the mount the ref stood the fighters back up.ÿ The round ended with McDowell almost sinking in a guillotine.ÿ McDowell was quoted at the end of the night saying that “this has been my worst fight ever.ÿ Next time its gonna be a whole different story.”

ÿ

Result:ÿ Green by unanimous decision.

ÿ

Fight 8

Kristian Rothermel (Leonardo Xavier) vs. Jimmy Cleaver (Relson Gracie)

ÿ

Round 1

Cleaver took down Rothermel and started dropping bombs within Rothermels guard.ÿ However the Renegades Champion showed why he is at the top of the 200lb division.ÿ As Cleaver tried to stack Rothermel, Rothermel extended his guard, swept Cleaver, and ended up mounted on top of the Relson Gracie purple belt.ÿ Rothermel then started to throw some shots of his own and sunk in the rear naked choke to end the fight and the four man tournament.ÿÿÿ

ÿ

Result:ÿ Rothermel by rear naked choke in round one.

ÿ

Stay tuned Texans, as Renegades Extreme Fighting presents “The Art of War” in the Rio Grande Valley on June 21, 2003.ÿ Team Pound will be on hand to show why they are the premier fight team in the Rio Grande Valley.ÿ As things develop, ill be sure to keep you posted.

ÿ

-Michael “Mikie” Martinez