Rodriguez wins SteelFist bout; Proving Grounds Invitational

At the SteelFist MMA card in SLC last Saturday night, 205-pound Joe Rodriguez (seen above) won the main event stopping Hank Weiss in the first round. In another pro bout, debuting Eric Munoz stopped veteran heavyweight Andy Witt in the first round. And in a professional 125-pound women's MMA bout, Katlin Neil ended her fight with Andrea Miller in round one. The best amateur bout was a highly competitive match between Augustin Valdez and Thomas Prestriedge for the 135-pound belt. Valdez earned a split decision win. The entire card is here.

The next SteelFist card is Feb. 16 at the Union Event Center in SLC. Bouts include Carson Gregory versus Craig Grove, Eric Iman versus Joshua Brown and Trever Bradshaw versus Jo Maama.

The Proving Grounds Invitational 5 is on Jan. 19 at 370 S 300 East in Salt Lake City. One intriguing superfight matches Sean Powers versus Josh Burkman. Competing again in the grappling competitions is Lucus Montoya, among many other local competitors.

Also, Mountain Force MMA has a card in Logan at the Cache Events Center on Jan. 19. Mike Jones headlines the main event. Card is here.

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.

Interview with jiu-jitsu pro John Valentine, fight update

Before we start our interview with jiu-jitsu professional John Valentine I(above), competing in Farmington on May 5 in the Proving Grounds Invitational, here’s a little fight news in Utah:

Last weekend in Denver Colorado at Sparta Combat League 68, some fighters with local ties competed. Kaecy Raddon, a highly ranked amateur at 155, lost a close decision to another top amateur, Johnson Nasona. In a kickboxing match, Jarrett Kelton lost a close nod to Brandon Taylor, and 185-pounder Hayden Brown was stopped by Anthony Cordova. A stablemate of the trio, Alie Kane, lost to Mdegan Winick in a 115-pound MMA bout. All are amateurs. Your reporter had Kelton, Raddon, and Kane winning narrow decisions on his card. (All results are here.)

Saturday, in Casper, Wyo, Rowdy Akers, MMA pro out of One Hit MMA, meets Houssam El Kasri  in a bout (card is here.) And the same night in Idaho Falls, Idaho, in pro MMA bouts, Kerry Lattimer meets Gabe Pelayo, and Fabio Serrao fights Andrew Cruz (card is here). The three bouts are all at 145 pounds.

Finally, Imperial Boxing has made it official: a pro boxing card May 26 at the Davis Conference. Main bout is 160 pounds pro state title Larry Gomez versus Christian Aguirre, both undefeated.

Now, our interview with John Valentine, who meets Chris Wells in an intriguing co-main bout at PGI: John, now out of Las Vegas, has a long tenure locally with MMA, including coaching a women's MMA team at Hidden Valley Gym, matchmaking with SteelFist, and managing MMA women fighters.

Tell us about the fight in May?

Valentine: The fight in May is going to be an exciting one. It is with the invitation-only and submission-only tournament Proving Grounds invitational (PGI), hosted by Dave Casteo and Carl Sims. I am one of the featured super fights and the co-main event for the tournament. I will be taking on one of the most decorated black belts in Utah, Chris Wells, who is a third-degree black belt under Pedro Sauer. In addition to my fight there will be three, eight-man brackets where people are fighting for prize money. In my fight specifically it is a winner take all. For me this will definitely be one of my toughest challenges that I have faced; but also one of the most exciting for me as I get an opportunity to once again give back to some special causes.

How is training going?

Valentine: My training, diet, spiritual, mental and physical preparation are all on point. I built a team for this fight compiled of some of the most talented and decorated world champions in the sport. Training under arguably one of the top five practitioners in the world, Team Robert Drysdale, I was able to pull and partner with a great group of coaches, including, world champions Antonio Lopez, Bendy Casimir and my long-time friend and former MMA coach, Utah Black Belt Brandon Guzzo.

Tell us about the charitable effort to raise money?

Valentine: The response to the charity and causes has been phenomenal. It’s been overwhelming, we’re reaching out to people who don’t even live nearby. The causes all center around suicide awareness. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem and something that has plagued many folks in our own life, but it’s taken the lives of many folks in the Utah area as well recently. My main focus charity wise is “Kimonos for Kai,” which was created by James Wright, a close friend of mine in the memory of his son who passed Kai Wright. The message of the organization encourages parents and others to talk to your children about their feelings. Too often children take their own lives because they feel they have no one to talk to or turn to. The organization gives talks and provides support and tools to encourage dialogue between parents, coaches and our youth. James’s message really centers around the idea that you were not replaceable and that you can always talk to someone if you cannot talk to a parent and find a friend. If you can’t talk to a friend, find a coach. But the point is always be sure to talk to someone; there’s always someone here to help you. The second way I have shown support through my previous MMA fights and this event is to get sponsorships. This allows people who want to support others to attend these events who otherwise would not have the financial means to do so. I have already purchased blocks of tickets that will be distributed through the tournament organizers for Proving Grounds Invitational and they are working to distribute those to those in need. It’s important for folks to get out and see these events as they start to chart and plan their own future goals in jiu-jitsu or whatever sport they choose. Anyone interested in supporting can contact me directly. I’m excited at the opportunity to not only compete but compete with purpose in a class

Also, what are some long-term goals in your fight career?

Valentine: As I made the transition in November from the cage as an MMA fighter I still stay centered and focused on the concepts as a transition into jiu-jitsu. Meaning, I still love to compete and still able to do so at an age when many people were throwing in the towel. I want to believe that with training and focus I could be doing this for years to come. Coming off the world championships last year, a lot has changed. I was promoted to black belt after 17 years of training, which was one of the most exciting, and humbling experiences of my life. I feel like my journey now has just started. My main goal this year is to win a second world title, but in the black belt division. The medals and the titles don’t matter as much as my primary goal, which is just to be the best practitioner I can be. The medals in tournaments are just one way to measure that. So is learning, growing and developing as not just a practitioner, but becoming a better teammate. And representing the sport and my gym is also key. I plan to stay active this year and I have some exciting news that I’ll be announcing shortly about a submission-only super fight in the cage in Las Vegas where I will be the featured co-main event. All the proceeds will go back to our troops. Stay tuned!

Is there anyone else you'd like to thank John as you work up to your superfight?

Valentine: Yes, in addition to all the fans and supporters and my gym, I'd like to thank my sponsors, who have done such an amazing job of financing this journey and the charitable causes: Buckedup pre-workout, Breakpoint fight company, RK Fleming Photography and finally Carl Sims and David Casteo of Proving Grounds Invitational for putting on such an amazing event, giving back to the community and for giving me the honor to compete.

In a further conversation with me, Valentine, 47, said the bout with Wells is scheduled for nine minutes. There will be overtime competition, if needed, in which “they start you over, and you both take turns in one position,” he said. The competitor who does better in the OT will be the winner. The fight is at 155 pounds. “I started my weight cut a week ago,” John said. His only prediction? “I’m going to grow. That’s all I care about – to become a better martial artist.”

He also talks with pride about his sons, all active in sports, three of whom are active in jiu-jitsu. Citing their ability to motivate him, he said, “they are probably my best training partners.”

Siler to meet Lance Palmer in MMA fight; Brenda Enriquez wins pro debut

Some short nuggets of MMA and boxing information:

-- Former amateur SteelFist women's MMA champ Brenda Enriquez (seen above) turned pro last weekend in a Combates America MMA card, scoring a unanimous decision win over Shyann Farmer. It was judged the fight of the night, as Enriquez won 29-28 on all cards.

-- Ogden MMA pro Steven Siler is scheduled to meet Lance Palmer, former WSOF champ, in a Professional Fight League MMA bout on Nov. 2. The PFL is the revamped WSOF, of which Siler was of late a part of. It's another tough assignment for former UFC veteran Siler, but it's also a great opportunity.

-- Both Palmer and Siler have a common opponent in former Ogden MMA pro Pat Reeves, whom bolth stopped in round one of bouts in Orem (Palmer) and Ogden (Siler). Siler announced the bout, scheduled to be in Washington DC, by posting an Sept. 15 MMA  Bulletin article on his Facebook page.

-- Proving Grounds Invitational 3 is Saturday, Sept. 23 at KOA in Layton, 109 W. Gentile. (http://www.provinggroundsinvitational.com/tickets/) A lot of prominent local fighters will be participating. The aforementioned Steven Siler will be competing, so will Lucus Montoya, amateur Aaron Thomson, and former MMA pro Craig Mock, as well as MMA's Nick Rossborough. Here is the event's Facebook page.

BOXING: There was a charity boxing event in Draper last weekend that fell off my radar, but here's a news article about it. Greg Hughes, speaker of the Utah House, who has an impressive boxing collection/shrine in his office, was in the ring tossing punches. Sorry to have missed that.

MORE MMA: Reminder that in a little more than a week Fierce Fighting Championship has a card in Tooele. It looks like quite a good card. I am interested particularly in seeing how Tanner Cowan and Aaron Thomson do, as I have followed their careers with interest. But good luck to all the fighters.

And next month SteelFist will be back with a card that includes Kyle Herrera versus Thiago Alves, Francisco Alcantara versus Carson Gregory. Also fighting in separate bouts are Thomas Hughes and AJ Garcia. We'll try too preview some match ups as the date, Oct. 14, draws near.

--  Here's a look at the state athletic commission website's schedule. A pro boxing event is scheduled at The Complex on Nov. 3. We'll let you know if we learn more about it.