Update on local MMA, boxing action

A short post today from the blog, after returning from vacation. One June 23, Mountain Force MMA had its Pat Reeves Fight Night MMA card in Logan. In a pro bout, Ogden's Dominic Gero scored a win. Another Ogden fighter, Joe Flores, won an amateur title fight and Ogden's Eric Munoz lost via decision in another amateur title bout. Full results are here.

In a SteelFist MMA card in Salt Lake City on June 29, Ben Moa, of One Hit MMA, successfully defended his SteelFist heavyweight professional title, In the co-main pro bout, returning LJ Schulz, of One Hit MMA, scored a win over veteran James Russell Francis, who announced his retirement after the bout. Amateur winners included Hayden Brown and Jordan Marshall. Full results are here.

At a Tuff N Uff card in Las Vegas on June 30, Destiny McCubbin came up short in a strawweight title bout, losing via third-round stoppage to undefeated Mandiau. This was an exciting that can be viewed on TuffNUff's Facebook page. After being rocked in the first round, McCubbin rallied in round 2. The third round was being fought on even term until McCubbin was floored by a shot from Mandiau. The fight was stopped shortly afterward, a decision many fans disagreed with.

Also, Steven Siler's next bout in the Professional Fighters League tournament is set. The pro MMA featherweight will meet Alexandre de Almeida July 19 in Long Island, NY. Card is here.

AMATEUR BOXING:

There was a 28-bout amateur card at Clearfield Aquatic Center on June 30. It was organized by Lights Out Gym's Julian Stevens. Channel 13 did a great story on it that is available here. Winners included Jon Bryant of Lights Out, Shakeem Barnwell and Jay Wright, Foley's gym, and Mateo Holt, of Louie's gym. Speaking of Louie's, the gym is having a fundraiser/car show this Saturday. Details are here.

MMA fighters prepare for Pat Reeves Fight Night

Before we get to the main story, a couple of notes:

Trifon Petrov, of boxing’s Imperial Boxing promotions, told us that it looks like Imperial’s next card, scheduled for July, will have nine bouts with 56 rounds;

And we reported on Northern Utah MMA fighter Steven Siler’s win in New York City in the first round of the PFL featherweight tournament (here).

This week’s focus is on Mountain Force MMA’s June 23Pat Reeves Night card in Logan at the Eccles Ice Arena. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the family of the late Reeves. Several of the bouts feature fighters who trained with Reeves’ MMA group, The Pack, at Foley's gym in Ogden. We’ve interviewed a few of the fighters who benefited from Reeves’ training skills below. Thanks for reading. (My thoughts on Pat, published a few months ago, are here.)

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ERIC MUNOZ (Eric is fighting Max Riddle for a promotional amateur belt):

Tell me a little about yourself. What got you interested in MMA, who are the people most key to your training success?

Munoz: I've always had an interest in fighting and until a few years ago never thought I would be doing it. I was considered too old for the sport in most people’s eyes. I have a career my kids are grown, etc. My son wanted to get into fighting and so we started training at Foley's. They needed wrestling coaches so I volunteered to help. I have twenty years of wrestling and coaching. My son decided he has other passions and I stuck around and got the itch to fight. Dave Foley set me up for my first fight with Jeremy Horns Elite at the Weber County Fair. That was more than three years ago and now I'm going into my 15th fight. After training for that fight is when Pat Reeves brought a few of us stragglers together and formed The Pack and trained us the way we should have been training all along and made us all better fighters.

Can you share an anecdote about Pat Reeves, or tell us how he inspired you to be a better fighter?

Munoz: Pat was a perfectionist and he never let us just slack to get by. He always critiqued our footwork and our movements and our punches, wrestling and ground game. If we had a fight he would go over the fight with everyone and show us how we could of done things different.

What are your strengths, what are your opponent’s strengths and what’s your strategy to come out on top?

Munoz:  I'm a wrestler through and through and though I have gotten better all-around in MMA my go-to will always be wrestling. My opponent is undefeated and had a few wins by submission so my assumption is that he has a background in wrestling or Jiu-Jitsu. The plan is always the same; go out and fight like we train and get the win whatever way possible.

Where do you hope to be in your career a year from now?

Munoz: I plan to keep going until I can no longer keep up and right now I'm in the best shape of my life and have no plans on stopping anytime soon.

JOE FLORES. Joe fights Caden Phelps for a promotional amateur title.

Tell me a little about yourself. What got you interested in MMA, who are the people most key to your training success?

Flores: I grew up in Willard. I have wrestled since I was in kindergarten. My dad actually told me his friend’s son trains at foleys (Miles Welk) and I should go over to check it out. It was during the summer, before I went to go wrestle at Western Wyoming Community College  my freshman year. I instantly fell in love, I always say wrestling was my passion but MMA is my purpose. My training partners are from The Pack and One Hit MMA in Layton. My coaches are Aldo Oreggia, Jarret Kelton, and my coaches before them, PAT REEVES and Sean Powers. It's so cool because you take a little bit from each coach to add to your repertoire.

Can you share an anecdote about Pat Reeves, or tell us how he inspired you to be a better fighter?

Flores: Pat Reeves affected my life in so many ways. He was always pushing me to become the best person I could be, not just as fighter but the best me. My second fight I ended up winning in a unanimous decision fight, but with losing two points for kicks to the groin and after that fight I was just so disappointed in the way I performed;  I just broke down crying. Pat came up to me to rub my back and he said, “It's alright man, why are you crying? You won to fight." I told him I just wasn't happy with the way I performed and he looked at me and said "You won but we just need to work on your inside kicks that's all don't beat yourself off over it just learn from it, don't dwell just move on. I know you did perform the way you wanted to but when we get back to practice on Monday we will work on your kicks.” My next fight I ended kicking the guy so hard he tapped 30 seconds into the 1st round. One thing that I loved about Pat is no matter what happened he always told me to learn and move on and that's something that's stuck with me ever since and that's something that will probably stick with me for the rest of my life. He wasn't just a Coach, he was a big brother, a friend, and a mentor.

What are your strengths, what are your opponent’s strengths and what’s your strategy to come out on top?

Flores: My strengths are my wrestling, and my ground game, I've competed with the best of the best. From what I heard my opponent's strengths are probably his stand-up and he's a strong dude. I'm just going to go out there and do what I know best, read the situation and adapt to the situation that's it. Fighting is all about adapting; you have a game plan until they get punched in the face. At this point I'm prepared for whatever is going to unfold in those 15 minutes.

Where do you hope to be in your career a year from now?

Flores: In a year from now I hope to at least have 6 more amateur fights and maybe be on to my pro debut. But I just want to be more evolved as an artist in a year from now. I want to be cleaner crisper and have a new arsenal in my repertoire while sharpening and evolving my tools I already have.

AJ GARCIA, in the main bout, AJ, a pro, is fighting Paul Crawford. (Above, Garcia, (on top) is shown in a previous bout.)

Tell me a little about yourself. What got you interested in MMA, who are the people most key to your training success?

Garcia: I got into fighting to turn my life around. I spent years of my life struggling with addiction but finally was able to get clean and used fighting as a way to stay busy and not go back. I also had a son around the time I got clean and was given custody of him so I turned my life around for him and used training and fighting to get there. My son Jaiden is a big key to my success. Also Anthony Lobato was the first real coach I’ve had and worked with and was a huge part of who I am today. Now I have Aldo Oreggia and Jarret Kelton.

Can you share an anecdote about Pat Reeves, or tell us how he inspired you to be a better fighter?

Garcia: Pat Reeves was an amazing inspiration to me. He brought me in when I left one gym and had nowhere else to train; he brought me in with his team and from day one always treated me like I was with him from the beginning. It’s hard not to give your all with a guy that lives and breathes fighting the way he does.

What are your strengths, what are your opponent’s strengths and what’s your strategy to come out on top?

Garcia: I’m not great at any one skill but I’m good everywhere and I’m great at mixing things up and keeping people guessing. I don’t know much about Paul but I’m just gonna go out and do what I always do. That’s got my hand raised over 10 times in my career.

Where do you hope to be in your career a year from now?

Garcia: I’ve lost two fights in a row for the first time in my career and it really hurts. I’ve worked so hard to turn that streak around and hopefully will be on a win streak this time next year. I’d love to win a pro title in front of my family before retiring.

DOM GERO, he fights Justin Van Horn in a pro bout. (Above, Dom, at right, is shown with Pat.)

Tell me a little about yourself. What got you interested in MMA, who are the people most key to your training success?

GERO: I grew up watching a lot of MMA and was always interested in it. When I realized that they had amateur shows I decided I wanted to try it out. I started training with my father in law, Ray Burton, and one of my best friends, Brayden Percival. After my first couple fights Dave Foley invited us over to train at his gym. I met a lot awesome individuals. Dave Foley, Justin Roberts, Francisco Alcantara, Joe Flores, Eric Munoz, Geovanni Gavilanez. , Pat Reeves, Ben Guymon, Nate Owens. All these guys have helped shape me as a fighter and the person I am today.

Can you share an anecdote about Pat Reeves, or tell us how he inspired you to be a better fighter?

Gero: Pat Reeves' favorite quote was “Passion is Everything.” That’s exactly how Pat lived his life. He kept us honest and would text me every day to make sure I was showing up to practice and keeping up on my diet. He was one of the hardest working people I’ve met. He loved watching the team progress and learn together. The memories and things he taught will live on forever.

What are your strengths, what are your opponent’s strengths and what’s your strategy to come out on top?

Gero: I feel my strength is my toughness and my ability to grapple and take the fight to the ground. I’m physically strong and athletic. My opponent is also a great athlete and tough opponent. I plan to go out and show the best version of myself. Give the fans what they deserve, which is a great fight.

Where do you hope to be in your career a year from now?

Gero: A year from now I hope to be training other athletes in their sport of choice, as well as helping people reach their fitness goals. I plan on continuing to train martial arts and enjoy life with my friends and family.

We are very grateful for these fighters taking the time to chat with us. Here is Mountain Force MMA’s Facebook page. We hear tickets are selling well. Other local fighters competing include Geovanni Gavilanez (A Pack fighter), Hector Lopez, and Nathan Owens.

Next week we’ll talk to a couple of MMA fighters competing at The SteelFist card on June 30.

Boxing at The Complex; Michelle Maya, GG champ

There's boxing tonight at The Complex In Salt Lake City. One of the pros fighting is undefeated prospect Gabriel Chairez (seen above in his amateur days). He will fight Felipe Medina Jr., of Oregon, at 130 pounds. Also, Bladimir Estrada,  a super-middleweight who just lost a tough, narrow decision to Christian Aguirre, fights Jerhed Fenderson of Las Vegas.

Gabriel's brother, Ignacio Chairez, also undefeated, was scheduled to fight but his opponent fell out late. That's a tough break; we hope to see Ignacio back soon. The Complex is at 536 W 100 South in SLC. Doors open at 7, fights start at 8 p.m.

MICHELLE MAYA, NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMP

A big shout out for Northern Utah amateur boxer Michelle Maya, who captured the National open Golden Gloves championship recently. She's the 119 pound champ. In fact, three women boxers from the Rocky Mountain region made it to the finals. Idaho's Kendra Reeves won the 152-pound title. Maryguenn Vellinga took runner up at 112 pounds. The Deseret News' Amy Donaldson covered the recent Golden Gloves well. Here's a story on Maya and others. Top of Utah men at the nationals included Lights Out's Jon Bryant, who lost a split decision in the opening bout, and Los Gallitos' Diego Alvarez, who won in the first round but was decisioned in bout two. Utahns Matt Searle and Milo Gomez also lost decisions.

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THE PACK TALK ABOUT PAT REEVES

Later this month, we will preview a SteelFist MMA card and a Mountain Force MMA card. The latter card is dedicated to the late pro fighter Pat Reeves, with a portion of proceeds being donated to his family. Recently, Matt Oyler's Undefeated by Choice video podcast sat with several of Reeves' The Pack fighters, who will be on the card, and they talked about Pat and MMA. It's a great watch.

FINALLY, STEELFIST RESULTS

There was a recent SteelFist MMA card. In the main bout, Eric Iman, heavyweight, defeated Samuel Sprauer via unanimous decision. All results are here at Jeffrey "Dutch" Dutcher's Fighting Out of Utah MMA News Facebook page.

Weekly update of the fight game in Utah

Last Saturday was a fight night at Foley's, an amateur boxing card. Winners included Jon Bryant, Michelle Maya (seen (at right) fighting Mary Quinn below) and Jesus Saldana. There was a 10 count prior gto the fights in memory of the late boxer/MMA fighter Pat Reeves. In the other photo trainer Dave Foley tends to fighter Joe Gibson between rounds.

There were three events last weekend devoted to Pat Reeves memory, and at the memorial service on Sunday it was announced that Boston University researchers will study Pat's brain as part of an effort to learn more about potential damage to the brain after years of fighting. This is a good effort that may help increase our ability to protect fighters. Read about Pat here and it includes a link to a Go Fund Me page to assist his family with funeral costs.

--- Tomorrow night is SteelFist MMA action at the Union Event Center (235 N 500 West) in Salt Lake City. Card starts at 7. It's a big card (see it here). I'm very interested in the main event between Fabio Serrao and Cody Bunderson and a pro bout between Trever Bradshaw and Benjamin Daniel Grass. Amateurs competing include Jayden Marshall, Jordan Marshall, Brittany Guillemin, and Hayden Brown.

-- We have learned that two undefeated Utah boxing prospects, Bladimir Estrada and Christian Agguire, will meet in March for a state pro title (super middleweight). Also in boxing, local pro Tim Carroll traveled to New York recently, losing a decision to Akeem Mauzon. ... In MMA action, local Josh Burkman fought on last week's UFC card in Omaho, Neb., losing to Alex Morono. ... Also, pro grappler John Valentine will be competing in Utah on May 5 at the Proving Grounds Super Fights.

We honor the life of Pat Reeves, MMA professional

Pat Reeves died this week, and his death saddened a lot of us. He was the heart and soul of the fight game community here for more than a decade. I was not nearly as close a friend as many others, but every time I saw Pat, we talked a spell, whether at Foley’s gym or at the fights. I interviewed him often, whether for the blog or the Standard-Examiner. I admired the guy, not only for his fighting skill and passion, but for his desire to share his skills with others, to teach and be a mentor. Besides training at Foley's, Pat was also a member of the Assassins fight team. 

I love the above photo of Pat. It reminds of the first time I saw him fight. He took on tough opponent, Drayton Woods, from southern Utah who went on the attack on Pat. From the ground, Pat weathered the storm and maneuvered his foe into a triangle choke. The guy fought it hard, but he succumbed. Pat’s joy and love of MMA is captured in that photo. We ran that photo, or one similar, in the Standard-Examiner, in our recap of the card.

Pat never ducked a fight – he even had a couple pro boxing matches -- and he had bravado. A year after the first fight I mention he was on a card at Raptors field in Ogden, against a contemporary named Gabe Francis. Pat dared him to hit his face. Gabe obliged him. The punches did little to stem Pat’s enthusiasm but unfortunately they drew a lot of blood, forcing a doctor’s stoppage. (18 months later, Pat got another shot at Francis, and this time he won in the first round, via a triangle choke).

Pat won a regional belt in 2013, traveling to Vernal and beating the very tough Daniel Stratton to take the Rocky Mountain Fight Championships title. He won in round 4, a championship round, by – you guessed it – a triangle choke. Pat’s lean, tall, rangy physique was ideal for the triangle choke. I wasn’t at that bout, but I interviewed Pat at Foley’s gym a few days later. He was wearing his belt. I wish I could find the photo I took of him with the belt. He took a lot of deserved pride in that win. He defended the belt successfully once before losing it in the cage.

I got to see Pat’s final two wins, and his last fight, a loss to a world-class fighter, fellow Ogden colleague Steven Siler. Pat was a well-established pro who fought not only the best regional opponents, but the elite too. Besides Siler, he also tangled, and acquitted himself well, against Lance Palmer, in Orem a few years ago.

One time, several years ago when we were chatting at Foley’s gym, Pat told me he wanted to do something to help others, to use some of the blessings he had received to give others a boost. I believe Pat achieved this goal the past couple of years with “The Pack,” a group of MMA fighters that he trained and trained with at Foley’s. Until very recently, “The Pack” was a fixture of fighters working hard at Foley’s. Until the day I die I will treasure the memories of Pat working with these MMA hopefuls in the cage, patiently sharing his wisdom with them, watching sparring, sparring with them, going over the mechanics of the sport, patiently improving their skills. Eric Munoz, who recently retired, is just one example of an MMA hopeful that, through Pat’s guidance, moved from MMA novice to respected, talented amateur veteran who earned a regional belt.

It’s going to be very hard to go to Foley’s gym and not see Pat there. When I learned of his death Monday, I moved away from my work desk, and found a place to shed some tears. We won’t forget Pat, and not forgetting will include taking some harsh lessons from his untimely death and helping others who will face some of the challenges that overwhelmed Pat in his final days.

Right now, we honor our friend. Here’s a link to Pat’s obituary. On Sunday at 1 p.m. a celebration of his life will be held at Foley’s gym in Ogden, 375 31st Street, an appropriate spot to honor Pat because he honored so many of us there, and at other gyms and arenas. Also, Friday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., Foley's will host a night dedicated to Pat with some martial arts instruction (Bang Muy Thai courtesy of Jarrett Kelton), some grappling and a silent auction, all to remember Pat and help his young family. Admission is free.

-- Doug Gibson

Here's Pat's Tapology page.

Here's a photo essay the Standard-Examiner published prior to Pat's final bout.

Here's a Go Fund Me page to help with Pat's funeral expenses.

Talking with MMA fighters Eric Munoz and Tyler Conway

Eric Munoz (at left) is seen sparring at Foley's gym in Ogden against MMA pro Dom Gero. Munoz, a three-year amateur, is concluding his career with a bout this Friday night at the Weber County Fairgrounds against against Alonzo Salas, who fights out of The Garage MMA. Munoz fights with The Pack MMA, which was started by former pro Pat Reeves. Munoz, 125-pounder Tyler Conway, and 145-pounder Jacob Robbins, (both of whom train at Foley's) are also on the card, promoted by Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night. Conway fights Jeffrey Pardo Morales; Robbins fights Jerome Loto.

And also competing Friday night is another MMA amateur from The Pack at Foley's, 135 pounder Geovanni Gavilanez of Ogden, who meets Nate Cook

Last week we interviewed MMA fighter Thomas Hughes, who makes his pro debut as the co-main event Friday night. Today we spend time chatting with Munoz, and  Conway, who along with Robbins, is making his amateur debut.

ERIC MUNOZ:

Utah Fight Game: Why is this your final bout?

MUNOZ: My first fight was 3 years ago, and Jennifer and Jeremy Horne gave me my first shot. When I started contemplating whether I should be done with fighting, I wanted to finish where I started; I hit up Jen and she made this fight happen. 

 This is going to be my last fight because for me to train and be able to keep up with these younger fighters, it takes a lot of time and effort. I still plan on working out and coaching, but I would like to start focusing on other things that are going on in my life right now. After I injured the discs in my neck and had to have surgery, I thought I was done, but I still had a fire inside me to do a few more fights.

Utah Fight Game: Eric's original opponent for this bout had to pull out due to injury, and Alonzo Salas of The Garage MMA has stepped in. The pair fought earlier for a SteelFist regional belt, with Eric winning. 

Utah Fight Game: How is training going?

MUNOZ:  I train 3 to 4 hours each day and then put in time on Saturdays and Sundays when I can. I will train the same I have trained for all my fights and train hard. I have great teammates that push me hard, and we make each other better each and every day.

Utah Fight Game: What are some of the positives and challenges of MMA? What advice would you give to those entering the sport?

MUNOZ: The positives of fighting MMA is that it gives personal goals, helps to keep someone fight ready, in shape and healthy. I've wrestled and coached many sports for many years and it is something that I enjoy and will continue to keep doing. Struggles from MMA (include) dealing with injuries, juggling work and training and still have enough time left over to spend with loved ones. Advice to those wanting to step in the cage, train hard train often and surround yourself with talented teammates that can get you fight ready.

Utah Fight Game: Who have you looked up to in the sport?

MUNOZ: Pat Reeves is my coach, my mentor, and my best friend without him there would be no pack and I wouldn't have had the success I have had.

Good luck to Eric Munoz on Friday and we wish Salas well too, who is a tough competitor.

TYLER CONWAY

Now we chat with 18-year-old Tyler Conway. (Above at right seen with Robbins (center) and Peter Reznik, at Foley's gym) Here is our conversation with Tyler:

Utah Fight Game: What got you interested in MMA? What brought you to Utah and Foley's gym and The Pack? What's your fighting style and has training gone? Whom do you admire in MMA and what are some long term goals?

CONWAY: I have always been interested in MMA and I grew up in some tough streets in California and always wanted to learn how to protect myself. I guess you can say it; I moved to Utah for a new start, and I came to Foley's MMA because I finally had the money and time to train, and I've heard a lot about Dave Foley and wanted to be trained by him. 

I also came to Foley's gym because I am enlisted in the army and ship out next June and wanted to be in shape. My main fighting style is wrestling and boxing, I took 8th in the state for wrestling this year at Bonneville High School. My main idols in MMA are Conor McGregor, Cody Garbrandt, and Dan Henderson. My long-term goals are to eventually to go pro and maybe open up my own gym.

We wish the best for all the fighters on the card Friday and appreciate Hughes, Munoz and Conway speaking with the fight blog. The main event matches Bobby King and David Jordan. Amateur Nathan Owens, who fights out of the Garage MMA, is also scheduled to fight Kevin Torres.

You can learn more about the card here and here.

AMATEUR BOXING RESULTS:

Last weekend in South Salt Lake, the Police Athletic League had its Pete Suazo Invitational cards. There were a packed house of fans both nights. Local gyms also participated. From Clearfield, Julian Stevens of Lights Out gym said: Giovani Gonzales beat a kid from Wyoming Ozmanny Sanchez beat Justin hubley from Fullmers and Christian Pasiallas beat a kid from St. George. Jon Bryant, Utah and Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves champ, lost a decision to noted amateur Aaron Olmedo. The pair will fight again this weekend in St. George.

From All Heart Boxing in West Haven, Jason DeCarlo said Santana DeCarlo defeated Absolom Flores from Tucson, Ariz., and Jesus Saldana defeated Patrick Muhindu fron South Salt Lake PAL.

From Foley's gym in Ogden, Dave Foley said that Luis Cornejo won both fights on Friday and Saturday, Kenny Cruze was defeated both nights, and on Friday night, Joe Gibson defeated Jesus Guzman of South Salt Lake PAL.