Jon Neal to headline LFA card at Maverik Center

Some quick recent takes from the Utah fight game:

On May 10, undefeated MMA featherweight Jon Neal headlines an excellent pro card in West Valley City. Neal meets Tyler Diamond in a bout that will be televised through the AXS network. Also competing on the card in bouts are Joe Rodriguez, LJ Schulz, Westin Wilson and Josh Burkman. Another excellent match on the card (here) is Bobby King versus Fabio Serrao.

On April 27, on a UFC card telecast on ESPN Plus, 170-pound pro Court McGee fights Dhiego Lima.

On April 26 at the Union Event Center in Salt Lake City, veteran 155 pound pro Troy Dennison and Kerry Lattimer headline the SteelFist MMA card. Another pro bout matches Eric Munoz versus Nick Martinez. Card is here.

Here are results from a card in Logan on March 30 from Mountain Force MMA. The promotion's kickboxing unit plans a card May 18 in Farmington that will headline Jarrett Kelton versus Cole Rose.

Results from the Fitcon MMA card April 12 in Salt Lake City included Dustin Clements stopping Eric Iman in a heavyweight pro bout and Mike Chavez taking a split decision over Lehi Dominguez for the promotion's 155 pound amateur title. Professional Mike Jones also logged a win.

Amateur middleweight MMA fighter Hayden Brown will fight for a TuffNUff middleweight title on May 10 in Las Vegas.

BOXING

On April 12, Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves met to determine who will send fighters to the nationals in Tennessee next month. Locals Jon Bryant, Diego Alvarez and Jay Wright are among those making the trip. A story on the bouts in SLC is here.

Utah professional boxer Christian Aguirre fought on national TV last Saturday against undefeated middleweight Money Powell IV. The bout was scheduled for six round. Early in round 6, Powell floored Aguirre and the fight was stopped.

Undefeated pro boxer Larry Gomez, of Midvale, announced this week he is fighting 6-1 pro Kevin Johnson is Las Vegas Friday, April 19.

Montoya, Collard main bout at SteelFist; more boxing, MMA results

SteelFist has a big fight Friday night at The Union Event Center in SLC. It matches comebacking former WSOF MMA fighter Lucus Montoya against SteelFist welterweight champ Clay Collard, who of course had a long stint in the UFC. Both these fighters are returning to where they excelled early in their careers and the winner will likely see a path back into the PFL, Bellator or UFC. Although Montoya has competed in grappling events, he hasn't been in the cage since he broke his forearm in WSOF 20, on nationally TV, almost four years ago. Collard, after winning a title at SteelFist, suffered a setback late last year Final Fight Championship 33.

The entire SteelFist card is here. Undefeated pro Zac Cavender fights at 205 pounds against Chris Thompson. In another pro bout for the women's 125-pound belt, Kaytlin Neil fights Shannon Sinn. In a 115 pound women's amateur title fight, Brittany Guillemin fights Sadie Ault. Others on the card include Ryder Newman and Zack Partridge in separate bouts.

A couple of weeks ago at the Utah State Fairpark, Fierce Fighting Championships had an MMA card. In the main bout for the promotion's 155-pound title, Bobby King stopped Nate Kearsley. In an actin-packed pro co-main that saw a lot of ebb and flow over five minutes, Randy Rowland, 155 pounds, stopped Thomas Hughes just prior to the end of round one, referee call due to strikes. The entire card is here.

BOXING

In SLC on March 8 undefeated Midvale pro welterweight Larry Gomez moved to 8-0 with a first round KO over veteran Mikhail Lyubarsky. Counter left hooks eventually left Lyubarsky stunned and on the canvas. In other bouts, former MMA fighter Eric Wahlen remained undefeated as a boxer, defeating Garrard Williams, heavyweights; Helaman Olguin defeated Anjel Osiris, heavyweights; Brandon Douglas defeated Mulapi Enjani, featherweights; In an amateur bout, Jay Wright defeated Emmanuel Gonzales, and amateur Gary Bailey also was a winner.

Last weekend at the Utah State Fairpark, there was the state Golden Gloves. Jon Bryant repeated as Utah 152-pound Golden Gloves champ with a decision on Saturday over Julian Ruiz. And 132-pound GG champ Diego Alvarez also repeated with a decision win over the aforementioned Wright, who fights out of Foley's gym. In the 165-pound GG final, Danny Galloway defeated Bailey for the state title. I don't have all Sunday results but here's a few: Carlos Padilla decisioned Isaac Lugo, 150; anfd Juan Higuera decisioned Robert Martinez, 201-plus pounds.

On Saturday, which included some semifinal bouts, winners were Eric Castanada, Dillan Neuyen, Alvarez, Kathryn Lopdez, Ruiz, Emmanual Gonzales; Carson Matthews; Jayden Lopez; Wright; Jesus Garcia; Galloway; Dan Butterfield; and Toa Piutua.

Junior Olympics amateur boxing results

The Utah State Junior Olympics tournament was held last Saturday at Foley's gym in Ogden. Here are the results, including title winners, who can move on to compete at Nationals in New Mexico:

56 pounds: Austin Garcia, Maximus Boxing, defeated Corbin Lloyd, Payson
170 pounds: Tate Johnson, Maximus Boxing, defeated Tod Pachecko, Foley's
98 pounds, TITLE: Colin Toilevuka, defeated Joe Gibson, Foley's (photo above shows Colin (at right) and Joe in corners between first and second round).
70 pounds: Giovanni Gonzales, Lights Out, defeated Shane Saunders, PAL
95 pounds: Elijah Willett, Maximus Boxing, defeated Erik Castaneda, Fullmers
80 pounds: Gizelle Alvaraez, LALO, defeated Estrella Hernandez, Lights Out
75 pounds: Sergio Sanchez, Maximus Boxing, defeated Saul Gamino, Lights Out
120 pounds: Juma Uredi, PAL, defeated Andre Lopez, Louie's
85 pounds: Anthony Charlie, Lights Out, defeated Fernando Quintanilla, PAL
65 pounds: TITLE: Adrian Ggamino, Lights Out, defeated Valentin Ssanchez, Maximus Boxing
110 pounds: Carson Matthews, Foley's, defeated Leonardo Sanchez, PAL
116 pounds: Lesly Hernandez, Louie's, defeated Aliyah Garcia, Oogden
132 pounds, TITLE: Javy "Danny" Melgar, PAL, defeated Giovanni Rodriguez, Oogden.
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Unopposed champions were 8 yrs to 10, Diego Cabrera, Austin Garcia, Giovanni Gonzales, 11 yrs to 12, James Cox, Saul Gamino, Sergio Sanchez, Jesus Guzman, 13 yrs to 14, Eduardo Lopez, Jr., Leonardo Sanchez, Carson Matthews, Sol Rodriguez, Jaqueline Garcia, 15 yrs to 16, Aaron Garcia, Adrian Lopez, Tanner Gurule, Alex Avila, Robert Chairez, Jayden Lopez, Lalo Zimora.

A reminder that local Rocky Mountain Open Golden Gloves champs Diego Alvarez (Los Gallitos) and Jon Bryant (Lights Out) are in training for the upcoming national Golden Gloves in Nebraska.

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Last weekend was The Proving Grounds Invitational 4. Results included Jon Valentine submitting Chris Wells and Lucus Montoya was also a winner via submission. Ethan Alejo, of Park City Jiu Jitsu, was injured in competition but his gym says that he is on the road to recovery. The gym also expressed appreciation to fighters, PGI and others for raising money to help with Ethan's medical expenses. For photos, etc., go to PGI's Facebook page.

In MMA action, Kerry Lattimer, an Idaho pro well known to Utah MMA fans, was stopped by Nathan Stolen in round 2 at Front Street Fights 17 in Boise, Idaho, last weekend. Another fighter known to local cages, William Dunkle, lost a decision to Joe Boerschig. Card is here.

Local MMA pro Brenda Enriquez fights on a Combate card in Sacramento on Friday, against Lizbeth Lopez Silva. It's the main event and the card will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

SOME BOXING NEWS: Next week we will preview the May 26 Imperial Boxing card in Layton. Interviews will include Christian Aguirre and Larry Gomez, meeting for both a state and ABO title. ... The Complex will host another boxing card on June 1. Bladimir Estrada, Ignacio Chairez, and Gabriel Chairez, will be on the card.

Alvarez beats Wright in a thriller, amateur boxing, MMA, more

Saturday, April 28 there was an amateur boxing card at Foley's gym in Ogden. A featured bout was an open 3X3 bout between 130 pounders Diego Alvarez, Los Gallitos gym, and Jay Wright of Foldey's. (Above shows Wright (at left) and Alvarez in action.)

In round one, Wright floored Alvarez with a right hand punch. Alvarez, a former national Golden Gloves champ, rebounded by forcing a standing eight count on Wright later in the round. The ebb-and-flow bout continued in round 2 with Alvarez slowly gaining control, earning two standing eight counts on Wright. However, late in the round, Wright brought the crowd to its feet by rallying, driving Alvarez back with a flurry.

The slugfest continued in the final round. Alvarez stunned Wright a barrage of punches, eventually forcing another standing eight count. At this point, Wright's trainer Dave Foley asked the referee to stop the bout. It was a hell of a fight and both Wright and Alvafrez merit respect for their talents and courage.

Other bouts included: Christopher Azcaray, Rodriguez Boxing, defeating Diego Cabrera, Unbreakable; Corbyn Lloyd, Unbreakable, defeating Kolytn Nalder, Rodriguez Boxing; Damon Weiblehouse, KC Boxing, defeating Dylan Bahena, Lights Out Boxing; Maxine Garcia, Unbreakable, defeating Kaydence Armstrong, Rodriguez Boxing; Sergion Sanchez, defeating Saul Gamino, Lights Oout Boxing; Max Ruiz, Foley's gym, defeating Julio Azcaray, Rodriguez Boxing; Nicole Sontange, Rocky Mountain, defeating Vanessa Shelburne, Foley's gym; Jesus Rodriguez, Louie's Boxing, defeating Jose Mata, Los Gallitos; Elias Barta, Rodriguez Boxing, defeating Fabian Barba, All Heart Boxing; Anthony Charlie, Lights Out Boxing, defeating Holden Atwood, Legends Boxing; Pedro Rubles, All Heart Boxing, defeating David Soria, Mori Academy; Tieler Dana, Foley's gym, defeating Emily Cornejo, Bone Crusher; Sami Daybell, Foley's gym, defeating Hope Clements, Rocky Mountain; Alayah Garcia, Los Gallitos, defeating Dulcy Burkman, Rodriguez Boxing; Jolsh Boyer, Cache Valley, defeating Cesar Bustos, All Heart Boxing; and Ramon Lopez, Legends Boxing, defeating Gary Bailey, Factum.

JUNIOR OLYMPICS: This Saturday, May 5, starting at 1 p.m. Junior Olympics amateur boxing tournament action starts at Foley's gym, 375 31st Street, in Ogden.

UTAH VERSUS COLORADO amateur boxing. On June 30, starting at 6 p.m., the Clearfield Aquatic and Fitness Center will host amateur boxing featuring youth boxers from Clearfield's Lights Out Boxing program. Lights Out's John Bryant, a Rocky Mlountain Golden Gloves champ, will be meeting an elite boxer from Colorado, with a host of other Utah versus Colorado bouts.

JIU-JITSU at Proving Grounds Invitational -- Remember that Saturday is brown and purple belt competition, grappling, jiu-jitsu, feature matches and tournaments at Proving Grounds Invitational 4 in Farmington. We interviewed John Valentine last week, who is competing.

RECENT MMA ACTION -- In Idaho Falls, Idaho, pro MMA fighters familiar to Utah cages competed last weekend. Returning Kerry Lattimer defeated Gabe Pelayo by decision and in the promotion's main event, Fabio Serrao stopped Andrew Cruz. In Casper, Wyo., Rowdy Akers was stopped by Houssam El Kasn in a pro bout and local amateur Eric Munoz stopped Cody Ammen. ... Lattimer is already scheduled to fight on Friday in Boise for Front Street Fights against Nathan Stolen. Also on the card is William Dunkle, who has fought in Utah. He meets Joe Boerschic in a pro bout.

Bryant, Alvarez among Golden Gloves champs

This week's Utah Fight Game blog was late because we wanted to get a lot of the info from FitCon reported after it happened. There was an MMA card and the Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves championships, with open winners moving on to nationals.

Those moving on to nationals include Jon Bryant, (top photo left) a repeat winner, from Lights Out gym in Clearfield, in the 152-pound division. Also, Diego Alvarez, (bottom photo left), a repeat winner from Los Gallitos gym in Ogden, is champ at 132 pounds. Alvarez was the national Golden Gloves champ in 2016. Ismael Milo Guttierez, of Herriman, is the 141-pound champ; Billy Wagner, of Montana, is the 165-pound Rocky Mountain champ after defeating Utah's Heneli Paea; Utah's Marquise Bowman is the 201-pound champ; Kendra Reeves, of Idaho, is the women's 152-pound champ; and Stephanie Mendoza, of SLC, is also moving on after winning Saturday. Boxers who moved through via walk overs to nationals include Northern Utah's Michele Maya.

Most of the boxers, including Bryant, Alvarez and Gutierrez, had to win on Friday and Saturday to move to the national Golden Gloves championships, held in May in Omaha, Neb.

There were a lot of "show" bouts on both days, that were not part of the Golden Gloves semifinals and finals. Some results: On Saturday, Dylan Bahena of Lights Out defeated Daren Cafero (Montana), 65 pounds, and James Cox, Lights Out, defeated Donel Velorde, Montana, 75 pounds. At 95 pounds, Colin Tuilevuka, Northern Utah, defeated Elijah Willet, Ogden. Both are talented amateurs who have fought three times recently with Tuilevuka getting the nod in competitive bouts. Also, Saul Gamino, Brigham City, defeated Ozmanny Sanchez, at 70 pounds. Both Willett and Sanchez are trained by Victor Palafox.

In Friday "show" bouts, results include: Cox defeated Cafero at 70 pounds; Bahena defeated Velorde at 65 pounds; and Tanner Gurule (Fullmer Bros gym) defeated Andrew Lopez, (Louie's gym). Some amateur boxers received $2,000 Golden Gloves scholarships. Santana DeCarlo, who fights out of All Heart Boxing Gym, was among the recipients.

MMA card:

There was an MMA card at FitCon as well. In the main event, professional 205-pound fighter Jarome Hatch defeated Ben Robinson via third round stoppage. In another fight, Northern Utah fighter Destiny McCubbin, who trains and lives in Las Vegas, won the promotion's 115-pound belt with a 5-round decision over Lauren Chidester, of Hidden Valley gym in Sandy. Jeffrey Dutcher, of Fighting Out of Utah MMA News, said "These girls were bloody and left it all in there; a great fight."

In a pro bout, 160 pounds, Bobby King defeated Andy Perez via unanimous decision. To get all the results, including other amateur promotional title fights, go to Fighting Out of Utah MMA's Facebook page.

We'll have more news next week, including some upcoming fights scheduled and a look athe April 13 SteelFist card, headed by a match between Clay Collard and Carson Gregory. 

Jose Haro to defend boxing title on May 12

Some big news in Utah boxing this week. West Jordan's Jose Haro, the USBA professional featherweight champ, will defend his title on May 12 -- against an opponent to be named -- in Wichita, Kansas. Jose's bout, a co-main event, will be televised live via CBS, probably on the CBSSports Network (Xfinity 269).

Also Friday night this week there's a pro/am boxing card at The Complex in Salt Lake City. I'm having a tough time getting info on the overall card, but there's a great main event matching two undefeated Northern Utah prospects, Bladimar Estrada and Christian Aguirre, for the state middleweight pro title. A promo for the bout is at Estrella TV's Facebook page.

In amateur Golden Gloves competition this past weekend Jon Bryant defeated Ramon Lopez and Felipe Nino, and will fight Nikolas Stidham of UCTC on April 5. Michelle Maya defeated Lisa Carroll, and Diego Alvarez, of Ogden, a former national champ, defeated Jay Wright of Foley's gym via decision. Another amateur boxing winner was Anthony Charlie of Lights Out gym. I'd love to have more results, pro and amateur, just message your blogger, Doug Gibson, via Facebook Messenger.

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Lots of MMA action next month and on, here's a schedule from the state athletic commission website. Remember that Saturday night at Union Event Center in Salt Lake City is Invicta 28 MMA card. More about the card in last week's blog.

Also in last week's blog, we mentioned that a little boy battling cancer was to be presented with a belt at Saturday's Mountain Force MMA card. It happened, and it was wonderful. The Logan (Utah) Herald Journal covered it here. ... Card results from last Saturday's Mountain Force MMA card are at Jeffrey "Dutch" Dutcher's Fighting Out of Utah MMA News Facebook page. In the pro main event Allen Silva decisioned Anthony Miller (135 pounds) and the pro co-main had Nick Clem winning via decision over Justus Mi-Gnarly (125 pounds). ... Finally, some pros of note, Fabio Serrao, Kerry Lattimore, and Gabe Pelayo, will be fighting April 28 in Idaho Falls. Serrao will be meeting Andrew Cruz, a good regional pro also, in the main bout.

Photos from SLC boxing card on April 1

(UPDATE: Below more info on Saturday's amateur card in Draper.) As we promised, we have a collection of photos from several bouts at the April 1 Boxing at the Bend card in Salt Lake City. Without further ado, we go to the photos, taken by Utah Fight Game's Justin Hughes.

IGNACIO CHAIREZ (red and white trunks) DEFEATS JORGE SOTO, PROFESSIONAL

BLADIMIR ESTRADA (on the left) DEFEATS BRITTON NORWOOD, PROFESSIONAL

CHRISTIAN AGUIRRE (white trunks) DEFEATS LAURENTINO ENRIQUEZ, PRO

IN THE MAIN EVENT, DAMIAN VAZQUEZ KO 1 OVER LORENZO TREJO, VASQUEZ IS ALSO SEEN WITH HIS HAND RAISED AND IN A PHOTO THAT INCLUDES PROMOTER EDDIE "FLASH" NEWMAN.

AND FINALLY, ONE OF THE AMATEUR BOUTS INCLUDED LAST YEAR'S NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION, DIEGO ALVAREZ OF OGDEN (red white and blue trunks), WHO DEFEATED RENEE MENDOZA

UPDATES --- And one more thing ...Saturday night from Legends in Draper at Sports City, 757 W 11400 South there's an amateur card from 7 to 10. A couple of Ogden-area gyms were scheduled to have these fighters competing:

Foley's gym: Alex Treadway, heavy; Eduardo Arrequin, 138, Lizber Herrera, 147, England Patu-Pauulu, heavy, Macy White, 125, Andy Gold, 175, and Luis Cornejo 135.

All Heart Boxing: Adrianno Benn, 15, 124, Santana DeCarlo, 17, 130, and Jesus Saldana, 18, 128.

Lights Out in Clearfield will have 152-pounder Jon Bryant, one of the area's best boxers, competing.

The card as of Thursday is below.

And more things. We neglected to note that northern Utah woman MMA fighter DeAnna Bennett competed at Invicta on March 25. Bennett, 8-3, lost a split decision to Jodie Esquibel. It was Bennett's second straight split decision loss. ...  in an amateur boxing last weekend in Idaho Lights Out's fighter Ozmanny Sanchez won both nights and garnered outstanding boxer of tournament. James Cox won and Dylan Bahama and Jose Torres were defeated in bouts.

Chairez among winners at boxing card in SLC

Above, Ignacio Chairez scores against Jorge Soto Saturday night in Salt Lake City enroute to a four-round unanimous decision Saturday night as part of the FKP Promotions Boxing at the Bend. Photo taken by Utah Fight Game blog's Justin Hughes, who was at ringside.

HERE ARE THE RESULTS OF SATURDAY'S BOXING AT THE BEND IN SALT LAKE CITY: A photo essay of the entire card will be published Thursday. Justin Hughes was at ringside.

Pro bouts:

Laurentino Enriquez v Christian Aguirre - Unanimous Decision - Winner Christain Aguirre

Ignacio Chairez v Jorge Soto - Unanimous Decision - Winner Ignacio Chairez (40-36 all rounds)

Bladimir Estrada v Britton Norwood - Split Decision - Winner Bladimir Estrada (37-38, 38-37, 38-37)

Damian "Sugar" Vazquez v Lorenzo "Explosivo" -- Trejo - Winner by way of 1st round Knock Out - Daminan "Sugar" Vazquez

Amateur bouts: 

Rodney Arcia defeated Daniel Keokham

Hsinkai Chiang defeated Gary Bailey

Gionni Madrid defeated Matt Searl

Diego Alvarez, national Golden Gloves champ, of Ogden,  defeated Renee Mendoza

All amateur bouts were decision wins. Photo below from Justin Hughes: Diego Alvarez (left) scores to the body of Renee Mendoza. Alvarez won a decision in the amateur bout.

Mendoza v Alvarez - UD Alvarez

UPDATE: A chat with MMA pro John Valentine; boxing card Saturday

BLOG UPDATED WITH INFO ABOUT SATURDAY'S BOXING CARD (See below) ... John Valentine, (above) is making a return to the cage Saturday, May 13, in Hurricane, Utah, against Jeff Carson as part of the South Valley Slam. We chatted with the undefeated fighter recently about training for the bout and other issues. We'll get back with John and other Slam competitors as the fight date draws nearer.

Former Hidden Valley MMA head coach John Valentine looks to extend his undefeated pro record as he faces facing his toughest competition to date, Jeff "The Hitman" Carson. Carson has three times as many fights and is 21 years younger. John will be 46 upon entering the cage in May. 

While he hasn't been in the cage since his TKO win of Curtis Coe over a year ago he has been anything but inactive. Since moving to Las Vegas he joined the Robert Drysdale team and since has won three expert division titles with the North American Grappling Association (NAGA), competed at the Jiu Jitsu World Championships and recently in November competed on national TV on CBS Sports in a submission-only match in the cage for Randy Couture's charity event in Las Vegas to benefit wounded veterans. 

John won that match in less than 90 seconds after two vicious body slams eventually sending his opponent to the hospital via inverted heel hook. At the Pan-American Jiu Jitsu championship games in Long Beach in March he took the bronze medal in the brown belt division against some of the best grapplers in the country. 

I spoke with him shortly and he seemed very excited about this upcoming match up against someone he respects and has known for years. "I have followed Jeff's career for years and know him personally. He's a true respectful warrior and will have a noticeable size advantage over me. He's a great person who brings his best to the cage each and every time and I'm excited and honored at the opportunity."

He added, "I normally lose 20 pounds for my fights so I'm actually excited to fight at 155," adding he'll be strong at that weight.

Following The Pan-American games in March John told me he will be dedicating and switching his training back to MMA and has already assembled a dream team of coaches to ensure he brings his A game to the table. "I sometimes laugh when people think my only style is grappling and while many of my fights have ended that way I started out as a Muay Thai- and wrestling-focused fighter in the early '90s and didn't switch to grappling till 1999." 

In speaking with him it was evident that he is very focused on proving the critics wrong once again. "Most of my jiu jitsu, judo or fighting titles happened after I was 35 and now at 46 I believe I can accomplish anything and that age is just a number if you put the work in. This fight will surely not want to be missed."

We wish John the best at the South Valley Slam. Besides him, we have interviews scheduled with competitors James Russell Francis, Daniel Stratton, Bryce Edminister and hope to log a couple more chats.

Boxing

Saturday in Salt Lake City there is a Flash Newman-promoted card in Salt Lake City, Boxing at the Bend, at 1085 Winding River Cove West. The doors open at 7, and fights start at 8 p.m. The main event matches veteran pro Lorenzo Trejo with undefeated flyweight Damien Vasquez. 

Of more local interest is that a trio of undefeated local boxers, Larry Gomez, Ignacio Chairez, and Bladimir Estrada, are scheduled to fight. General admission seats are $30 and VIP Ringside $45. For information, call 801-949-8317.

Updated information March 31: Utah Fight Game blog has received the card for Saturday's fight night. Chairez fights Jorge Soto at 144 pounds (4 rounds), Estrada fights Britton Norwood at 178 pounds (4 rounds), Laurentino Enriquez fights Christian Aguirre at 155 pounds (4 rounds). And the main event between Vasquez and Trejo is 8 rounds.

Unfortunately, an opponent was unable to be found for undefeated Utah boxer Larry Gomez.

There are also six scheduled amateur fights. Of particular note, Ogden 120-pounder Diego Alvarez, who won the national Golden Gloves tourney in 2016, will be competing.

Another Salt Lake City fighter, Jose Haro, is slated to fight April 28 in Tijuana, Mexico.

Upcoming Utah boxing and MMA events can be found here.