SteelFist card part of a big combat sports weekend in Utah

 

---

It's a busy, big combat sports weekend in Northern Utah. On Saturday there's a UFC card in Salt Lake City. A big highlight is that Utah MMA icon Court McGee will have his final bout. McGee has excelled in combat sports since he was a high school wrestler a generation ago. He won UFC's annual Ultimate Fighter tournament in 2010 and has stayed in the top tier of mixed martial arts since. We're all rooting for Court in his final UFC bout. He fights Eric Nolan. The Delta Center card starts at 4 p.m.

Saturday afternoon in Ogden Foley's gym will have an amateur card. It starts at 2 p.m. Foley's gym itself will have about a dozen amateur boxers competing, including 168-pounder Luciano Salazar, who's hoping to continue a winning streak at Foley's gym. This reporter, Doug Gibson, will be there. It's at 375 31st Street in Ogden.

I'll also be at the Union Event Center in Salt Lake City, 235 N 500 West, Friday evening for a combat sports card from SteelFist Fight Night. The fights include: MMA, Muy Thai kickboxing; kickboxing; and submission-only. Above on the graphic is the main event. It's for the promotion's amateur middleweight title, matching Alex Johnson, 4-0, of Mori Academy, versus John Henderson, 4-3, of Nevada Jiu-Jitsu. A bantamweight amateur title bout match matches Aaron Jennings versus Angel Diaz.

For information on more fights on the card, and ticket information, go to SteelFist's website here. Bouts start at 7 p.m. You can buy tickets at the SteelFist site.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article (link here) about a submission-only 8-minute pro bout between former MMA pros John Valentine (I interviewed John) and Sooksan Simpleman. I loved watching both compete in the past. This bout is part of the Forever Now effort to raise funds for a memorial to the 58 people tragically killed, and many more injured, by a gunman in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017. The aforementioned, linked article, has information on how to donate to Forever One and/or apply part of your SteelFist ticket price to the memorial.

-- Utah Fight Game

Collard scores electrifying boxing upset on national television

Readers of this blog may have noticed that we have been charting UFC MMA fighter-turned professional boxer, Clay Collard's career. In the past several months, the Northern Utah boxer has fought 10 times, in his opponent's hometown or his promotional banner. Remarkably, the journeyman Collard has won five of those bouts, scored draws in three, and lost twice.

Last night he fought one of the top 160-pound prospects in the world, Raymond Guajardo, (5-0) of El Paso, Texas. Collard (6-2-3) was brought in, like many journeymen boxers, with the expectation that he would pad the prospect's record, or in other words, lose. I had noted in past blogs that one reason Collard was scoring upsets over undefeated boxers is the level of competition he is facing. In his last 10 fights, Collard has met opponents with a combined record of 59 wins and two losses. Prior to last night's bout, Guajardo had met opponents with a combined record of 4-6.

The photo above is a TV grab from last night's bout on Fox Sports 1. Collard is standing over Guajardo. You can watch the fight here.

Over the course of 4 minutes and 42 seconds, Collard floored Guajardo twice and severely battered the young prospect around the ring before it was stopped. The game Guajardo managed to floor Collard once during the wild bout, that is already being touted as an early candidate for fight of the year. Certainly the first round may remain round of the year.

Guajardo might become a great fighter but in Collard he was essentially facing a veteran, a fighter who fought the toughest UFC fighters, including Max Holloway, and had been boxing tough competition on more or less a monthly basis. No one vocally noted this on the PBC fight card. But it was out there had the promotion, and perhaps Guajardo's braintrust, done some due diligence.

So congrats on a great win for Collard. In an interesting twist, this may be it for him for a long while regarding boxing. He has an opportunity to compete in the Professional Fighters League annual MMA tournament. The winners earn $1 million. However, he's now a hotter boxing commodity after the drama of last night's bout. Major promoter Lou DiBella wants him on an upcoming Utah boxing card, and I'm sure other large promotions have tucked Collard into their proverbial "Rolodex."

Larry Gomez to box, Court McGee tabbed for MMA bout, more

Lots of nuggets of fight news in Utah right now. Let's start with the earliest:

On Friday, Oct. 11, at the 801 Event Center in Salt Lake City, there will be a pro boxing card, with also some amateur kickboxing. In the main bout, for the FKF promotion state pro heavyweight championship, Helaman Olguin (above middle) fights Joseph Jones. In another pro bout, undefeated Utahn Ignacio Chairez, fights Anthony Curtiss. In a third pro bout, Joey Borrero meets Edison Charley. The card is near the bottom of this page (link).

Also, northern Utah pro boxer Larry Gomez (9-1) has a major bout on Nov. 30 in Las Vegas against undefeated Brian Mendoza, 18-0. Scroll down this link to see the entire ESPN-Plus streamed card, which includes work-class boxers Oscar Valdez, Arnold Barboza Jr., and Carl Frampton in bouts.

Finally, Jon Bryant, who took the Bronze in the national open Golden Gloves, is competing in the Eastern Qualifiers over the next few days. He is seeded fifth in his category and won his first bout last night. He has several more bouts. Jon is seeking an opportunity to earn a qualifying spot in the Olympics trials.

MMA

On October 18, on the card UFC on ESPN 6, veteran Utah MMA pro Court McGee, 19-8, fights undefeated Sean Brady, 10-0. The entire card is here. It's a preliminary so bout will likely be streamed via ESPN.

Oct. 19, in Salt Lake City at The Union Event Center, is the next SteelFist pro/am MMA card. The main bout pits veteran pros Rowdy Akers and Gregg McFarland. Matt Oyler of Undefeated by Choice has interviewed McFarland here and I imagine Akers will be interviewed as well. The entire card is here.

On Oct. 4, on the Front Street Fights card in Boise, Idaho, pro MMA fighter Kerry Lattimer, of Idaho, who fights often in Utah, was defeated by Darrell Flores in the co-main event.

Finally, on Nov. 9 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Ogden area MMA pro Eric Munoz, who is undefeated, takes on Josh Watson on the card No Mercy 68, Also on the card will by Northern Utah MMA amateur Brittany Guillemin.

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.

Interview with MMA referee Bobby Wombacher; fight results

We have a treat for Utah Fight Game readers today. A chat with a veteran MMA referee who has worked the cage in 26 states more than 2,500 times in the past several years. His name is Bobby Wombacher (seen in several photos) and he'll be the referee in Logan this Saturday night for the Mountain Force MMA card. Bobby has worked with the UFC, Bellator and other top promotions. He has a fascinating, extremely interesting history of hard work and dedication  to share and we're grateful he's taken the time to speak with us.

FIRST, a brief recap of the past week in the Utah fight game ... At the Bellator 205 card last weekend, Ben Moa, SteelFist heavyweight champ, was stopped in round 1 by Steve Mowry via an Anaconda submission. Ben was injured second after the opening bell. Davis County's Sean Powers, 190 pounds, lost a split decision to undefeated Jarod Trice. This was an even bout with Powers hurting Trice just before the final bell. And Bryce Edminister, 145 pounds, stopped Leon Taylor in round 2. Other winners with local ties included Andrew Cruz and Vince Morales. ... In boxing matches Justin Morales, undefeated welterweight, polished off Tyron Settles with a body shot in round one in a bout in Columbia, S.C. And in Joplin Mo., MMA pro Ed Whitmore, of Utah, in a boxing match, suffered an unintentional head butt against Joseph Carriker. Whitmore was stopped prior to the final round due to the severity of the cut. 

NOW, ON TO THE INTERVIEW WITH REFEREE BOBBY WOMBACHER ...

Utah Fight Game: Tell us how you got started in MMA and becoming a referee?

Wombacher: Just like many people I watched the UFC on VHS and Beta tapes in the beginning.  When it become more readily available for me on PPV, I wouldn't miss one.  I planned trips and vacations around being able to see the PPV, I was obsessed with the sport.  I traveled around and always believed I could do it.  

Then, I moved to Utah and had an opportunity to train.  During my training, I had a cyst on my left shoulder blade and they had to remove it.  After the surgery, it became infected and they had to open it back up and leave it open.  I had the pleasure of going back to the doctor every morning to have them pack it.  That was the absolute worst pain I can remember.  The doctor said I couldn't grapple or roll for 6 months because of the open wound.  I grew frustrated, because after all of the years of saying I could do it, I was finally doing it and this happened.  

I remembered a flyer of Herb Dean's Referee Course that I had obtained when I lived in Hollywood, CA.  I thought I would go referee for 6 months and then go back to fighting when my shoulder blade was better.  I mean being a referee was a piece of cake and anyone could do it.  Reality set it real quick when I arrived to Herb's course, this wasn't going to be easy and not everyone could do it.  I failed his course and was devastated.  

When I landed back in Utah, I contacted a fighter from the gym I trained at and asked for some help.  I knew the rules like the back of my hand; however being a referee was so much more than knowing rules.  I had to know what every hold was, how to apply it, and most importantly how to dissemble it.  Being a referee is all about fighter safety.  If you don't know what is happening, where the pressure and pain is, or how to break the hold safely; well then you aren't effective at your job.  If the referee isn't effective at his job, people get hurt.  

That fighter referred me to another fighter.  I went and had 1 x 1's with that fighter for a week and half, then back on a plane to take Kevin McDonald's course in Connecticut.  I passed that course and the rest is history.  In all, I have completed a total of 7 ABC-recognized referee courses, including going back and passing Herb Dean's; the only course I had failed!  After passing the course, it was time to get in the cage, because I had passed the course.  

Again, another rude awakening was in store for this guy.  That just isn't the way it works.  The course gives you a piece of paper of completion and the acknowledgment that you passed the approved course.  However; it does not say you are capable of being a referee.  Now it was time for the sacrifice and the journey to truly begin.  Did the chicken come before the egg or did the egg come before the chicken?  I kept being told as I reached out to many commissions across the country, "You need cage experience".  The problem is without cage experience, people wouldn't give you a chance; however if you don't get the chance, you will never gain the cage experience.  

I passed my first test in May 2012 and couldn't get an opportunity to step foot in the cage.  I started judging to apply the new found skillset of being a referee and judge.  I loved judging, but I knew I wanted to be a referee.  I kept contacting other commissions all over and kept being shot down.  I must have heard 50 - 100 no's.  I'm positive they were tired of me emailing and calling; because I was relentless in my pursuit of what I wanted.  I would make sure I reached out every 30 days or so, just to remind them I was here. 

 Finally, on my way to judge a local Utah promotion, SteelFist, in October of 2012; the Utah Executive Director, Bill Colbert, called my cell phone.  I was heading to the venue in downtown Salt Lake City and was about 15 minutes away.  I will never forget that phone call.  Bill asked me if I wanted to ref a couple of fights that night.  Now reality was setting in and of course I said "heck yeah." In that moment, I begin to think, holy crap am I ready?  Bill then asked if I happened to have my referee attire.  I informed Bill I did, because I took it to every show just in case the time came.  I hung up the phone and started calling everyone I knew.  

This journey wasn't a solo flight, there were so many people taking it with me.  I called the instructors from the ABC courses I took and frantically was searching for the silver bullet and reassurance that I was ready.  I arrived at the venue and was mentally preparing.  About 15 minutes before the show began, I remember going to the restroom and throwing up a few times.  The anticipation of this moment and the nerves were getting me.  I stepped in the cage that night and fell in love with the task at hand.  The fire had officially been lit and I knew I could do this.  I have spent the past 6 years going state to state and getting in the cage on any occasion.  

At this time, this is my full-time job.  I have been honored to be in the cage for over 2,500 fights now.  I have been blessed with stepping foot in the cage/ring in 26 different states.  I have done multiple UFC's, Bellator's, LFA's, RFA's, etc.  I truly love my job and I am blessed to be given the opportunity to do it.  I don't get the opportunity to be in the cage as much as I like in my home state, due to my other commitments.  However; whenever I step into the cage in Utah, it has a different meaning to me.  This is where I started and where my journey began.  So on September 29 in Logan, Utah........I'm home!

Utah Fight Game: You have a connection to Utah. Tell us about that.

Wombacher: I started training for MMA when I moved to Utah.  Utah is where I stepped in the cage for the first time.  Utah is where my kids live.  This is home and the fans are so passionate in Utah.  I love being in the cage in Utah and love talking to as many people as I can when I'm at the venue.  This will always be home and any opportunity I get to get in the cage here, I will cherish it.  

The commission in Utah has seen me grow from infancy to today.  I'm so grateful for their trust and belief in what I do.  They stood behind me in the beginning and still stand behind me.  Their support means more to me than I could ever express.  Without them, there would be no Referee Bobby Wombacher!

Utah Fight Game: What's the most important traits a cage referee needs to know to do a great job?

Wombacher: There is a difference between being a referee and being a good referee.  Passing a course or putting on the attire and stepping in the cage categorizes you as a referee.  There are many of those.  There are many people that think they are a good referee because they used to fight or they go to the gym.  That just isn't a fact, beyond popular belief.  

A good referee knows the rules, knows the holds, knows what is going on in there whether it is standing or on the ground, knows their only job is fighter safety, knows that many people are going to blame them for whatever happens (whether it is warranted or not), knows that if they don't have thick skin they will be consumed and spit out, can make a split second decision, is decisive, knows where he/she is supposed to be during the fight at all times, etc.  

There are so many things that happen in the cage during a fight and if a referee isn't in the proper position ALL the time, they can and will miss things.  Some of those things can cost a fighter a fight.  In this sport, the reality is it can create unnecessary injuries as well.  I believe every fighter, regardless if they are an amateur having their first fight or a pro on their 30th fight, deserves the absolute best officials.  

I take that very serious and I am committed to every fighter, their coach's, the fans, the promoter, the commission, and to myself to be my very best every night I'm in the cage.  An off night can get someone hurt, there is no time to have an off night.

Utah Fight Game: Have you worked for Bellator or UFC? I believe you have. What's it like? Any different than SteelFist or MFMMA?

Wombacher: I have done multiple UFCs and Bellators.  I get asked all the time was I nervous and what it is like.  Before my first UFC, I was very nervous.  Again, you begin to think, "am I ready?"  My first UFC was on July 13, 2016 from Sioux Falls, SD.  I remember arriving at the venue and the other referees that night were Big John, Herb Dean, and Kevin McDonald.  All guys who had mentored me and helped me (to this day those gentleman are on speed dial when needed and always are there for me).  

I was really nervous and I remember Big John passing me in the locker room and asking me if I was ready.  I felt I gave a very credible and stern, heck yeah.  Obviously he could see right through me and knew I was nervous as a son of gun.  He looked me in my eyes and said, "you are here for a reason and you are going to do a great job.  Just don't ** it up!"  He then walked away, I was laughing and the nerves were gone.  

I had done a handful of Bellators up to this point, even being on the card with Big John while doing Bellator.  When the lights went down for the beginning of the broadcast, I was ready.  I had the first fight that night.  The lights came on and it was just a cage in a different city for a different promotion.  I treat every fight I do, like it is in front of millions of people.  This is the greatest sport and it is such an honor to step foot in the cage with these amazing athletes.

Utah Fight Game: What are your future goals as a referee?

Wombacher: My goals remain the same.  I want to be in the cage wherever there is one on any given day.  Being in the cage has given me so many opportunities outside of the cage.  I utilize the notoriety that I have to give back in every community I can.  I love going and talking to kids in the hospital, speaking at the Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, helping the autistic community, having parents send me messages about kids that want to meet me and surprising them when I come to an area near them, and any other opportunity I get to help someone.  This sport has given me so many blessings and I am eternally grateful for all of them.  

You can follow my fan page on Facebook at MMA Referee Bobby Wombacher and on Instagram at referee_bobby_wombacher.  I update where I'm at and what I'm doing there regularly.

Thanks so much Bobby for chatting with us. We have an enormous amount of respect for what you've accomplished. ... Let's talk some about the card you'll be at. The main pro bout at the Mountain Force MMA 5 card matches Anthony Miller and Jaime Hernandez, 135 pounds. Another pro bout matches Andy Pitcher versus Aaron Chambers, 170 pounds. The amateur bouts include an 145-pound promotional belt match between Lee Critchlow and Tyson Craig. It's at the Eccles Ice Arena in Logan at 7 p.m. Saturday. See the poster below.

Burkman, Rossborough lose UFC and PFL bouts; SteelFist results

It was a tough Saturday for two Northern Utah, Salt Lake  City MMA veteran professionals who fought web-televised preliminary bouts on major MMA cards. Nick Rossborough, a heavyweight, was pounded by Jared Rosholt over three rounds in Everett, Wash., as part of the Professional Fighters League, formerly the World Series of Fighting. Rossborough had no answer for Rosholt's ground game and took a lot of punishment although he survived to a decision loss.

In a UFC 214 preliminary in Anaheim, Josh Burkman suffered his fifth straight UFC loss, being stopped by Drew Dober in the first round. A recap of the lightweight bout, televised on UFC Fight Pass, is here.

STEELFIST RESULTS:

Friday night's SteelFist card in Salt Lake City had Carson Gregory stopping Jeff Roman after one round in an 170-pound bout. Also, Troy Dennison stopped AJ Garcia in round one in an 155-pound bout. Former Ute and NFL football player and heavyweight Ben Moa won his pro debut, stopping Trevor Kuresa after one round. Amateur Michael O'Laskey, defeated TJ Mitchell in a bout for the promotion's 170-pound title.

To get all the results go to Jeffrey Dutcher's Fighting Out of Utah MMA News Facebook page.

Burkman defeated in Brazil, announces MMA retirement

UPDATED WITH MORE AMATEUR BOXING RESULTS: It was a tough night for veteran UFC MMA pro Joshua Burkman. The Salt Lake City fighter, 28-15, was stopped in the first round in Fortaleza, Brazil, by Brazilian Michel Prazeres, 22-2. The nationally televised bout was part of UFC Fight Night 46.

Burkman, staggered early, withstood a tremendous barrage of punches in the first minute from Prazeres. In the second minute of the fight, Prazeres got past Burkman's guard on the ground to take side control, and administer a left-to-right choke, forcing a tap from the veteran, 36.


After the bout Burkman announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. He'll be missed as he was a credit to the Utah MMA scene, one who attained world contender status.

SOME QUICK MMA NEWS: Heard through the grapevine, otherwise known as social media, that undefeated amateur Jessica Kruger, who trains with Hidden Valley MMA, will be fighting at Fitcon next month. ,,, Also, amateur Bryce Edminister, who trains at The Garage, will be fighting at the South Valley Slam in May. We'll have an interview with Edminster in the weeks ahead.

AMATEUR BOXING: A lot of amateur boxing the past two days in Salt Lake City, with some fighters trying to move on to regional contests. As I get information, and I need to rely on gyms, trainers and fighter to pass on the news, I'll post results. Have a few results: From All Heart Boxing, Santana DeCarlo won both nights and Jesus Saldana also competed. On Friday, Lights Out Boxing: John Bryant defeated Ryder Campo and was scheduled for a Saturday bout; Youngsters James Cox and Deontay Nish won on Friday, and Giavonni Gonzales competed. Besides Bryant, Chris France, Jose Torres, John Daniels fighting for championships, and also Gonzales and Dylan Bahema scheduled to fight Saturday.

If we get results, we will post them. UPDATE: Lights Out's Bryant won his championship bout Saturday, and other Lights Out fighters included Jose Torres advancing to regional Golden Gloves and Chris France losing in the finals of his division. And 132-pounder Gabriel Chairez, brother of pro boxer Ignacio, won his division and moves to regional finals for the fourth time. Chairez is an independent fighter.

McGee outfights Saunders but doesn't get decision

Court McGee did what he needed to do against Ben Saunders in their welterweight UFC MMA bout Sunday night in Phoenix.

After Saunders had the edge in round one due to leg kicks, McGee put on the pressure in rounds two and three. In the final round, McGee staggered an exhausted Saunders, 21-7-2, early and the round ended with Saunders on the ground taking punishment.

It should have been a win for the Utah veteran, but three judges inexplicably scored the bout 29-28 for Saunders.

Here's some stats from the bout: McGee, 19-6,  had 90 strikes to Saunders' 74. McGee had the only takedown, and among significant strikes, McGee had 67 to Saunders' 48. And, after two competitive rounds, McGee dominated round three.

Saunders is a great fighter and it's hard to feel too bad that he got some luck tonight.

But Court McGee deserved to have his hand raised, and it's a shame the judging prevented him from a win.

In the main event, Yair Rodriguez stopped a game but way past his prime BJ Penn in round two.

Court McGee fights Sunday on televised UFC card

The big news in the Utah fight game is that UFC veteran Court McGee, 170 pounds, a former Davis County prep wrestler, fights on a nationally televised UFC MMA card on Sunday, Jan. 15. McGee, a several-year vet of the UFC has a very very competitive match against Ben Saunders. (Photo above courtesy of UFC)

The card starts on Fox Sports One (Xfinity 265) at 6 p.m. with prelims. The main card, with McGee, starts at 8 p.m. BJ Penn fights Yair Rodriguez in the main bout.

In his last fight, McGee rebounded from a stoppage loss with a points win over Dominique Steele.

The next big MMA card is Jan. 21 in Salt Lake City at the Fairgrounds. Headlining is Samson Phommabout, an 145-pounder, 4-1, who is one of Utah's top pro prospects. Hopefully, we'll have more about this card next week in the blog.

A CHAT WITH JOSE HARO

In Utah boxing news, I chatted with 126 pound pro Jose Haro, who is on the mend after foot surgery. He hopes to fight soon. I asked Jose how training goes as he rehabs

Haro: "Rehab is going well. I'm actually training ... and running for the first time since my injury. ... For 2017, I would like to get a tune up fight and fight for titles after that. I would like to fight the best."

So what are the running distances I asked, and will the fights be out of Utah?

Haro: "I'll start on mile for one week and then after that I'll start doing three miles. ... Most likely I will travel." (Photo of Haro below by Justin Hughes)

BY THE WAY ... You can find a schedule of future Utah fight cards at the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commision website here.

Finally, we end with a photo of Larry Gomez' win over Donald Griffin last month in SLC. We plan on interviewing Gomez, 6-0 and a fine prospect, in the near future. (Photo courtesy of Gomez).