Welcome to the final results for the 2011 TXMMA Awards – MMA Edition.
After a year of exciting action for the Texas MMA Community, fan votes have been tabulated and confidential panel votes counted to give us our deserving year-end winners.
Before we get to those, we just want recognize ALL the individuals nominated and the scene in general for a great year in our sport. The truth is that all the individuals mentioned as candidates deserve an award for the year they had in 2011. Winning the award is just the icing on the cake for those deemed to have the best year by consensus.
For an explanation on how overall winners were decided for these awards, please read this FAQ on our election process.
Also, after each official winner has been announced in each category, there is also an added winner in the form of our “People’s Choice” Awards – defined by those who garnered the great number of votes in their respective categories.
2011 TXMMA FIGHT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Ricardo Talavera vs. Jeff Rexroad (Legacy Fighting Championship 6) – Taking place in January 2011, this bout set the tone for an exciting year of MMA in the state. It was predicted prior to the bout that this would be a closely fought, evenly matched contest. The two did not disappoint as they gave it everything they had in a three round slugfest that would feature everything from technical striking and escapes on the ground to multiple near-finishes with Rexroad dropping Talavera on more than one occasion while the Pittsburgh-based Venezuelan persevered. By the end, both men were battered, bloody, and bruised yet came out of the bout with a healthy amount of respect for each others toughness and MMA skill. Since then, both Jeff Rexroad and Ricardo Talavera continue to be fan favorites within the Legacy FC promotion and on the regional scene.
1st Runner-up – Jason Sampson vs. Joshua Montoya (Fight Game 1)
2nd Runner-up – Andrew Craig vs. Bubba Bush (Legacy Fighting Championship 6)
3rd Runner-up – Andrew Parker vs. Dustin Adams (XKO 12)
People’s Choice Award – Andrew Parker vs. Dustin Adams (XKO 12)
2011 TXMMA PROFESSIONAL FIGHTER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Daniel Pineda (4OZ Fight Club) – “The Pit” had himself a career year in 2011, going undefeated in four bouts while taking on all comers, including WEC veteran Frank Gomez, Gilbert Jimenez, and 2 champions in Ray Blodget and Levi Forrest -fighters who combine for a composite record of 26-10-1. Even more noteworthy was that he finished them all – 2 by submission and 2 by knockout. As a testament to his 2011 performance, Daniel was recently picked up by the UFC and will make his promotional debut on Saturday January 21st against Pat Schilling on UFC on FX 1.
1st Runner-up – Johnny Bedford, Fitness Fight Factory (3-1 in 2011 * opponents’ combined record 31-12)
2nd Runner-up – Steven Peterson, NDMMA (4-0 in 2011, 2 title fights, opponents’ combined record 25-15)
3rd Runner-up – Andrew Craig, Team Tooke (3-0 in 2011, 2 Titles, opponents’ combined record 32-16)
People’s Choice Award – Sean Spencer (3-1 in 2011, opponents’ combined record 22-12)
* three bouts on record took place on The Ultimate Fighter and officially counted as exhibitions.
2011 TXMMA PROFESSIONAL KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Pete Spratt vs. Antonio Flores ( Legacy FC 8 ) – Heading into Legacy Fighting Championship 8 on HDNet, this bout between IXFA 205 champion Antonio “King Kong” Flores and Pete Spratt was marked as an early “knockout of the night” favorite – pitting two big-time strikers against one another. It didn’t take long for that prediction to become a reality. Spratt fired off a looping overhand punch that collapsed his opponent for the knockout before making highlight reels nationwide.
1st Runner-up – Russell Brewer vs. Christopher Golden (24/7 Entertainment)
2nd Runner-up – Larry Crowe vs. Ike Villanueva ( Legacy FC 8 )
3rd Runner-up – Joshua Foster vs. Terrance Ferguson (IXFA – Feb 2011)
People’s Choice Award – Russell Brewer vs. Christopher Golden (24/7 Entertainment)
2011 TXMMA PROFESSIONAL SUBMISSION OF THE YEAR WINNER
Jarret Jones vs.Edwynn “Ox” Jones, Twister) – Odessa-based Jarret Jones (Octagon MMA) scored the elusive submission of the year this past September when he was able to secure a finish by “Twister” on Edwynn Jones at Fabian Butler’s 24/7 III: Return of the Warriors event. at Midland College.
1st Runner-up – Jonathan Mackles vs. Chad Robichaux, guillotine choke (Legacy FC 7)
2nd Runner-up – Randy Villarreal vs. Zach George, armbar (Caged Cowboys)
3rd Runner-up – Jason Sampson vs. Josh Montoya, armbar (MMA Fit Pit Genesis)
People’s Choice Award – Jarret Jones vs.Edwynn “Ox” Jones, twister (24/7 Entertainment: Return of the Warriors)
2011 TXMMA UPSET OF THE YEAR WINNER
Evan Cutts vs. Reagan Penn (Pro Elite) – Heading into his bout with Reagan Penn, few around the MMA world gave Fitness Fight Factory’s burgeoning young talent a chance against the brother of a multiple-time UFC champion (BJ Penn). Evan would prove all the doubters wrong with a dominating three round performance that would send the Hawaiian back to the drawing boards while making a statement that he is a force to be reckoned with.
1st Runner-up –Johnny Bedford vs. Carson Beebe (TUF 14 Qualifier)
2nd Runner-up – Jonathan Mackles vs. Chad Robichaux (Legacy FC 7)
3rd Runner-up – Randy Villarreal vs. Zach George (Caged Cowboys)
People’s Choice Award – Randy Villarreal vs. Zach George (Caged Cowboys)
2011 TXMMA AMATEUR FIGHT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Colin Wright vs. Tony Orozco (Cage Combat 5) – Taking place this past August in Humble, TX, this bout pit two of Houston’s top young talents against each other with Wright being the established champion and Orozco the rising fighter hot on his trail. The contest would live up to its billing with the two going back and forth for four rounds of action before Wright finished things with a fourth rounf TKO to improve his record to an impressive 6-0.
1st Runner-up – Monica Earnshaw vs. Kristy Kester (Legacy Amateur Series 4)
2nd Runner-up – Christopher Lopez vs. Jared Perez (Cowboys Extreme Cagefighting)
3rd Runner-up – Adrian Yanez vs. Nico Echeverry (Legacy Amateur Series 6)
People’s Choice Award – Adrian Yanez vs. Nico Echeverry (Legacy Amateur Series 6)
2011 AMATEUR FIGHTER OF THE WINNER
Stephen Banaszak (Chop Shop MMA) – No fighter had as impressive output on the amateur level in 2011 as our winner, Stephen Banaszak . Beginning his MMA career in February of last year, the 21 year old featherweight rattled off 7 straight wins in 2011 while winning 2 title belts. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, his opponents weren’t too shabby, combining for a 23-13 record. Banaszak finished each and every one of them by submission.
1st Runner-up – Colin Wright, Paradigm (3-0, all by TKO, 2 title wins. opponents’ combined record 7-4)
2nd Runner-up – Guilherme Moreira, Team Tooke (3-0 in 2011, opponents’ combined record 7-5)
3rd Runner-up – Joe Trevino, 4OZ Fight Club (2-0, 2 titles, opponent’s record 2-2)
People’s Choice Award – Stephen Banaszak, Chop Shop MMA (7-0 in 2011, all finishes, 2 titles, opponents’ combined record 21-12)
2011 TXMMA AMATEUR KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Lior Shporen vs. Terrell Henson (Legacy Amateur Series 5) – This bout in Dallas’ House of Blues ended abruptly with a spectacular first round head kick that left Henson motionless for a few moments – scoring Shporen our 2011 amateur knockout of the year.
1st Runner-up – Chris Gutierrez vs. Kale Westover (Ultimate Fight Night A Better Youth)
2nd Runner-up – Guilherme Moreira vs. Santos Rosales (Cage Combat 3)
3rd Runner-up – Nathan Flack vs. Daniel Everitt (Cage Combat 4)
People’s Choice Award – Jesse Lee Richardson vs. Shawn Tavares (PCG: Cowboys Extreme Cagefighting)
2011 TXMMA AMATEUR SUBMISSION OF THE YEAR WINNER
Joe Trevino vs. Jacob Silva II (Cage Combat 5) – The 4OZ Fighter scores this award for finishing what he started earlier on in the year from their first bout at the Legacy Amateur Series. That first contest saw Silva (an MMA rookie at the time) survive a plethora of submission attempts from Trevino as the latter won a decision to earn his first amateur event. This time around, Trevino was even better in his performance as he pulled off a rear-naked-choke for the victory and his second belt of the year.
1st Runner-up – Cody Vidal vs. Sean Holden (CXC: Mayhem in Mesquite)
2nd Runner-up – Stephen Banaszak vs. Azariah Pattee (CXC: Mayhem in Mesquite)
3rd Runner-up – Rob Butler vs. Joshua Obena (Legacy Amateur Series 3)
People’s Choice Award – Cody Vidal vs. Sean Holden (CXC: Mayhem in Mesquite)
2011 TXMMA FEMALE FIGHT OF THE WINNER
Monica Earnshaw vs. Kristy Kester (Legacy Amateur Series 4) – What a war this one this past July as the two went toe-to-toe for three rounds of action to decide the Legacy women’s title. Both fighters left it all in the cage in a thrilling 3-round contest that earns this award while foreshadowing a promising future for Women’s MMA here in Texas for years to come.
1st Runner-up – Kristy Kester vs. Jordan Gaza (Legacy Amateur Series 1)
2nd Runner-up – Ashley Meza vs Paulina Granados (Cage Combat 6)
3rd Runner-up – Jordan Gaza vs. Christina Lozano (Legacy Amateur Series 3)
People’s Choice Award – Ashley Meza vs Paulina Granados (Cage Combat 6)
2011 TXMMA FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Jade De Haas (Chop Shop MMA) – In arguably the most hotly disputed category in this year’s 2011 TXMMA Awards, Jade De Haas earns the female fighter award due to her output of 4 fights contested with 4 victories.
1st Runner-up – Monica Earnshaw, Bushi Ban (2-0 in 2011, 1 title)
2nd Runner-up – Jordan Gaza, Gracie Barra (3-2 in 2011, 1 title win)
3rd Runner-up – Paulina Granados, American Revolution (2-0 in 2011)
People’s Choice Award – Jordan Gaza, Gracie Barra (3-2 in 2011, 1 title win)
2011 TXMMA BREAKTHROUGH FIGHTER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Johnny Bedford (Fitness Fight Factory) -What a year its been for the “Brutal” one. Johnny landed a stint on The Ultimate Fighter by upsetting pundits’ early favorite Carson Beebe to get into the house and never stopped from there. He’d go on to go 3-1 on the year counting his fights in the house and make it all the way through the semi-finals. Once his stinf on TUF was over, Johnny kept going and stopped Louis Gaudinot on the TUF 14 Finale with a performance that now have him on the national radar as a force to be reckoned with.
1st Runner-up – Joseph Sandoval, Big Head MMA (6-1 overall, 2-1 in 2011, signed with UFC)
2nd Runner-up – Brian Melancon, Paradigm (6-2 overall, 2-1 in 2011, signed with Strikeforce)
3rd Runner-up – Artenas Young, Hoger MMA (7-4 overall, 3-2 in 2011, opponents’ combined record 23-11)
People’s Choice Award – Clay Hantz, Octagon MMA (7-3 overall, 3-0 in 2011, 1 title win)
2011 TXMMA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNER
James Vick (Phalanx MMA) – In another closely contested category, James Vick wins Rooklie of the Year honors by virtue is his 4-0 undefeated record in 2011. The 24 year old finished 3 out of 4 bouts in the first round and most recently scored his most impressive win yet over experienced opponent Chris Pecero at XKO 12 this past September.
1st Runner-up – Cody Williams, ATT Beaumont (2-1 in 2011, opponents’ combined record 11-12)
2nd Runner-up – Evan Cutts, Fitness Fight Factory (3-0 in 2011, opponents’ combined record 1-4)
3rd Runner-up – Matt Hobar, Octagon MMA (4-0 in 2011, 3 first round finishes, opponents’ combined record 2-8)
People’s Choice Award – Matt Hobar, Octagon MMA (4-0 in 2011, 3 first round finishes, opponents’ combined record 2-8)
2011 TXMMA COMEBACK FIGHTER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Jorge “Macaco” Patino (Gold Team) – What a year its been for the vale tudo legend. He would take 2011 by storm after going 0-2 over the past two years. Starting out with a submission victory over Cleburn Walker at KOK 10, “Macaco” would go on to fight Pete Spratt in Legacy FC 8 to win his first professional belt before going on to defend that same title against Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis at Legacy FC 9 to cap off an exceptional comeback year.
1st Runner-up – Carlo Prater, Metro Fight Club (2 wins in a row in 2011 after going 1-3 in 2010)
2nd Runner-up – Justin Reiswerg, Bam Bam Martial Arts (3-0 in 2011 after going inactive since April 2009)
3rd Runner-up – David Fuentes, McAllen (2 wins in a row after losing 2 in a row in 2010)
People’s Choice Award – David Fuentes (2 wins in a row after losing 2 in a row in 2010)
2-011 IRONMAN OF THE YEAR WINNER
Randy Villarreal (Genesis / Phalanx MMA) – With a staggering 8 fights on the year against opponent with a combined record of 64-41 , Randy Villarreal exemplified what the term “Ironman” means to us while fighting in three different weight classes in 2011.
1st Runner-up – Mike Bronzoulis (5 fights in 2011, opponents’ combined record 74-40-1)
2nd Runner-up – Douglas Frey (6 fights in 2011, opponents’ combined record 37-21-1)
3rd Runner-up – Cody Pfister (6 fights in 2011, opponents’ combined record 31-17-1
People’s Choice Award – Randy Villarreal (8 fights in 2011, opponents’ combined record 64-41)
2011 TXMMA CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR WINNER
Douglas Frey vs. Stephen Peterson (XKO 10) – Was it a legal or illegal knee that stopped this bout for the XKO 145 title earlier this year? The state decided that night but the jury remained out in many peoples’ minds as this would go on to be one of the most discussed outcomes of the year. Because of that, this wins our controversial award for 2011.
1st Runner-up – Brian Melancon vs. Isaac Valley Flagg (Strikeforce Overeem vs. Werdum)
2nd Runner-up – Ricardo Talavera vs. Rashon Lewis ( Legacy FC 8 )
3rd Runner-up – Levi West vs. Geoffrey Neal (Cage Combat 6)
People’s Choice Award – Levi West vs. Geoffrey Neal (Cage Combat 6)
2011 TXMMA TRAINER(S) OF THE YEAR WINNER
4OZ Fight Club – In another category sure to draw discussion from a lot of different angles, 4OZ Fight Club wins the TXMMA Award as trainer(s) of the year by virtue of their fight output at both the amateur and pro levels along with the significance of the bouts in which their fighters made appearances. 4OZ is home to 2011 TXMMA Fighter of the Year and UFC-bound Texan Daniel Pineda along with several other current or former champions at all levels.
1st Runner-up – Octagon MMA
2nd Runner-up – Paradigm Training Center
3rd Runner-up – Guy Mezger’s Combat Club
People’s Choice Award – Octagon MMA
2011 TXMMA MANAGER OF THE YEAR WINNER
Matt Rossini (Imperial Fight Management) – Based on all accounts from the community, Matt Rossini has exemplified what this award means in 2011. Managing a total of 15 total fighters (10 with +.500 records), he has went above and beyond to cater to his stable above just setting up matches, negotiating purses, and finding sponsors. His initiatives have included setting them up with medical/recovery treatment and independent financial consultation to teach them how to manage their careers and set themselves up as an LLC. In addition to that, Rossini often trains side-by-side with his fighters, to the point of cutting weight with them while they prepare for their fights. See that cast on his arm in the picture above, he broke that arm while holding pads for one of his fighters at the UWF 1 event in the valley. Despite the injury, he went through the next three hours sans medical treatment so he could stay and corner his guys.
1st Runner-up – Ragan McDaniel – B3 Sports Management
2nd Runner-up – Rafael Casias – Wreck 1 Fight Management
3rd Runner-up – Brett Boyce – Made to Win
People’s Choice Award – Matt Rossini – Imperial Fight Management
2011 TXMMA MMA REFEREE OF THE YEAR WINNER – Don Turnage
1st Runner-up – Randy Hauer
2nd Runner-up – Kerry Hatley
3rd Runner-up –Patrick Patlan
People’s Choice Award – Randy Hauer
2011 TXMMA RING GIRL OF THE YEAR WINNER – Angelica Hernandez
1st Runner-up – Brittany Marshall
2nd Runner-up – Elizabeth Salinas
3rd Runner-up – Tiffany Saint
People’s Choice Award – Jennifer Breaux
2011 TXMMA LIFESTYLE BRAND OF THE YEAR WINNER
DOM Fight Gear – When it comes to supporting MMA in the state of Texas and beyond, in 2011, few could boast the resumes of the guys over at DOM Fight Gear. Not only did they lend support to fighters at both the pro and amateur levels but they also sponsored The Fighter’s Only Awards in Las Vegas and more. In addition to their contributions in MMA, they’ve also extended themselves to BJJ & Grappling as well. DOM was a sponsor at the IBJJF Worlds and traveled everywhere in 2011 to get their brand out there. Despite all their travel, perhaps the most impressive thing about DOM was their presence at tournaments and events on the local level as well as their commitment to those in need in the community. Many will tell you DOM is the type of brand that cares more for the community above and beyond just providing exceptional customer service.
1st Runner-up – ProFormance Mouth Guards
2nd Runner-up – Cruz Combat
3rd Runner-up – Armbar Submission Gear
People’s Choice Award – ProFormance Mouth Guards
The purpose of this award is to recognize the promotion that had the most successful year on the Texas MMA Scene – as defined by volume of events held, quality of events, and overall fan support. Must have held at least 4 events within the state of Texas during the 2011 calendar year.
2011 TXMMA PROMOTION OF THE YEAR WINNER
Legacy Fighting Championship – This might have been the easiest award to pick this year. With11 total events in 2011 (6 amateur, 5 professional) and televised contracts secured with HDNet and the MiCasa, Mick Maynard and crew stayed busy in 2011. To our knowledge, Legacy FC is the only promotion in the state and one of the few worldwide that can boast a branded presence in radio (Legacy Power Hour), on print (Legacy Magazine), and on television on HDNet’s Friday Night Fights. For that and all the consistency they provide on the regional scene, they’re an easy choice for this 2011 award.
1st Runner-up – Xtreme Knockout (XKO)
2nd Runner-up – STFC
3rd Runner-up – Shark Fights
People’s Choice Award – STFC
2011 TXMMA PRO EVENT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Legacy Fighting Championship 7 – The promotion’s debut event on HDNet this past July created more buzz than any other event in Texas this year, then it delivered with only 2 out of 10 bouts going to the judges’ scorecards.
1st Runner-up – Legacy Fighting Championship 9
2nd Runner-up – XKO 11 – July 23, 2011
3rd Runner-up – Legacy Fighting Championship 9 – December 16, 2011
People’s Choice Award – Legacy Fighting Championship 9 – December 16, 2011
2011 TXMMA AMATEUR EVENT OF THE WINNER
Cage Combat 5 – This September event in Humble, TX was the consensus pick in this category – likely a credit to the trio of title fights that headlined the evening. All three of those fights featuring Joe Trevino, Guilherme Moreira, and Colin Wright produced exciting finishes – something present on the rest of the card as well.
1st Runner-up – Legacy Amateur Series 1 – February 18, 2012
2nd Runner-up – Cage Combat 4 – July 1, 2011
3rd Runner-up – Legacy Amateur Series 6 – October 22, 2011
People’s Choice Award – PCG: Cowboys Extreme Cagefighting – August 6, 2011
2011 TXMMA VENUE OF THE YEAR WINNER – Arena Theater (Houston, TX)
1st Runner-up – Dr. Pepper Arena (Frisco, TX)
2nd Runner-up – The GYM (Arlington, TX)
3rd Runner-up – Verizon Wireless Theater (Houston, TX)
People’s Choice Award – Arena Theater (Houston, TX)
2011 TXMMA “FEEL GOOD” MOMENT OF THE YEAR WINNER
Johnny Bedford on Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter – Johnny’s appearance on TUF wins this award by virtue of its uniting fans from all over the state and allowing us to cheer for one sole representative as he made his run to become a UFC fighter.
1st Runner-up – Legacy Fighting Championship Network Debut on HDNet
2nd Runner-up – 4OZ Head Coach Bob Perez Getting Married in the Cage at Legacy FC 6
3rd Runner-up – Evan Cutts Beating Reagan Penn on ProElite 2
People’s Choice Award – Johnny Bedford on Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter
2011 TXMMA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER
Barry Laminack – To be quite honest, all these nominees deserve recognition for this award. Barry would be the first one to tell the community that and the last to want the light shone on himself as opposed to those other deserving individuals. in the community Despite that, Barry has no doubt earned this award for his selflessness in giving back throughout 2011. Not singling out any particular effort, Laminack and his crew at TheCageDoor have put together mulitple fundraisers and community events aimed at assisting cancer research, memorial events, disaster recovery, and general community awareness for many other causes. We here at TXMMA are proud to award him with this honor for 2011 for his philanthropic spirit.
People’s Choice Award – Frost Murphy (Heartsgift.org)
► Chad Robichaux (Gracie Barra) – brought attention to combating PTSD and supporting U.S. Troops through work with Wounded Warriors and the Mighty Oaks Foundation.
► Chris Reed (IXFA) – along with several others in the community, coordinated a BBQ Benefit and Silent Auction to help a community member who suffered a total loss due to a house fire.
► Frost Murphy (Elite MMA) – Donated his entire purse from Legacy FC 9 bout and held numerous fundraisers along with his team to raise over $22,000 for HeartGift.org so a child could be provided with life-saving heart surgery. Also grouped into this nomination are fellow fighters Ricardo Talavera and Chop Rucker – both of whom donated their own purses to charity at this event. Ricardo took the fight on 5-days notice while driving down 22 hours from Pittsburgh to do so.
► Mick & Andrea Maynard (Legacy Fighting Championship) – assisted in Heartsgift.org charity drive, provided training scholarship for troubled youth, held school supply drive, etc.)
2011 TXMMA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
Saekson Janjira – What can we sat about Saekson that has not been said already? He’s been pivotal on the Texas MMA Scene for many years and for that we honor him. With this award, Saekson becomes the first inductee into our TXMMA Hall of Fame.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the election process for the inaugural TXMMA Awards for 2011. We look forward to another great year on the Texas Fight Scene as we begin 2012. See you at next year’s awards!
FOLLOW ALONG WITH TXMMA throughout the year for in-depth news and coverage of the MMA & grappling scene along with fan contests to win great prizes courtesy of TXMMA.com and our sppnsors! Also feel free to check us out on Twitter and Google+ for even more in the world combat sports!
