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

Amateur boxing results: Foley's gym, May 23, 2026

 

On Saturday, May 24th, at Foley's gym in Ogden, a large crowd enjoyed 20 amateur boxing matches. 

(The photos above, from Top to down, show Foley's Luciano Salazar pressuring Fight City's Edmundo Rodriguez into the corner of their 168-pound bout, won by Salazar. Next shows Foley's Evan Dominguez forcing Fight City's Luis Torres into the ropes in their 172-pound bout, won by Dominguez. Next Foley's Achilles Salazar (left) boxes Reyes' Armando Aquero in a 145-pound bout won by Aquero. And Foley's Rachel Siniscalchi (left) boxes Jordan Landing's Heather Kingston in a 112-pound bout won by Kingston.)

Here are the results of the bouts on the card:

57 lbs - Miliano Hernandez, BoxFit decisioned Isaac Diaz, Mi Familia

110 lbs - Emanuel Soria, Palafox, decisioned Ramon Vaca, Reyez

75 lbs - Jayden Cuenca, Mi Familia, decisioned Legion Afeaki, Boxing Roots

112 lbs - Kingston (see above) decisioned Siniscalchi (see above)

172 lbs - Dominguez (see above) decisioned Torres (see above)

90 lbs - Angel Mendoza, Tafoya's, decisioned Julian Cendejas, Munecos

105 lbs - Julian Garcia, Boxfit, decisioned Lehi Perez, Reyez

195 lbs - Rogelio Aguirre, Munecos, decisioned Garrett Schoss, Foley's

112 lbs - Bryon Sanchez, Rick's, decisioned Francisco Rodriguez, Fight City

125 lbs - Christian Sanchez, Boxfit, decisioned Damien Murdock, Foley's

125 lbs - Josh Mangrum, Factum, decisioned Johnny Gonzalez, Foley's

150 lbs - Kohel Robinson, Pouha, decisioned Arturo Espinoza, Rick's

147 lbs - Andrus Antunez, Dave's Boxing Academy, decisioned Ben Gill, Foley's

145 lbs - Aquero (see above) decisioned A Salazar (see above)

180 lbs - Alfonso Chavez, Tafoya's decisioned Dom Perez, Factum

Heavyweight - Pule Alo, Pouha, walkover win

147 lbs - Deylan Deboer, Tafoya's decisioned Skylar Stedman, Foley's

168 lbs - L Salazar (see above) decisioned Rodriguez (see above)

147 lbs - Jayden Marquez, Boxing Roots, decisioned Kenneth Anderson, SLC

205 lbs - Ryahn Moore, Foley's, decisioned Esiloni Malafu, Boxfit

152 lbs - Jorge Bustamente, Rolling with the Punches, decisioned Josh Strong, Pouha

-- Utah Fight Game blog

(Names and gyms were taken from the card program. Pat Nielsen handled announcing duties.)

A lively night of amateur boxing at Foley's gym

 ---

On October 25th in Ogden, Utah, Foley's gym hosted an amateur fight card. The gym was packed and fans enjoyed 23 bouts, two bouts were walkovers. There are many locations in Utah that host great amateur cards. However, Utah Fight Game was there so here is a list of winners: (Above are photos of the 170-pound bout between Austin Gussie (Foley's gym) and Luis Torres (Fight City. Below are photos of a bout between 180-pounders Luciano Salazar (Foley's gym) and Scott Roberts (Fullmer's). Gussie has a white shirt and Salazar has red trunks).

---

So on with the results:

147 pounds: Ben Zimmerman (Die Standing) decisioned AJ Karali (Louis Boxing)

90 pounds: Joseph Gomez (Gomez KO Boxing) won via walkover

70 pounds: Marcelo Renteria (Razor's Edge) won via walkover

125 pounds: Johnny Gonzalez (Foley's gym) decisioned Korban Green (Southern Utah Boxing)

110 pounds: Eli Preciado (FADN Boxing) decisioned Gasper Gerrero (DEORUM)

135 pounds: Jourdan Gonzalez (Razor's Edge) decisioned David Gonzalez (Foley's gym)

130 pounds: Ryan Cervantes (Deorum) decisioned Christopher Nova (City Center)

162 pounds: Brendan Rochet (Foley's gym) defeated Aaron Lugo (Independent)

112 pounds: Giovani Lopez (Deorum) decisioned Miguel Baristain (Los Gallitos)

135 pounds: Parker Preator (Foley's gym) decisioned Alexi Jimenez (Roots Boxing)

100 pounds: Julian Garcia (Boxfit) defeated Jayden Mirada (Palafox)

180 pounds: Luciano Salazar (Foley's gym) decisioned Scott Roberts (Fullmer's')

180 pounds: Alan Revolorio (Razor's Edge) defeated Alfonso Chavez (Tafoya's)

170 pounds: Austin Gussie (Foley's gym) decisioned Luis Torres (Fight City)

135 pounds: Eli Tinney (Legends Cache Valley) defeated Dujon Sharrer (Foley's gym)

130 pounds: Salvador Rosales (City Center) defeated defeated Dylan Benites (Deorum)0

125 pounds: Alan Gallegos (Deorum) defeated Damien Murdock (Foley's gym). (NOTE: UTAH FIGHT GAME considered this bout "the fight of the night.")

145 pounds: (women's bout) Abby Ferrell (Legends) defeated Dawson Harvey (Legends Cache Valley)

155 pounds: Cesar Garcia (Palafox) defeated Ben Gill (Foley's gym)

155 pounds: Dylan Endo (Fight City) defeated Jordan Weiler (Foley's gym)

110 pounds: Emmanuel Soria (Palafox) defeated Edgar Praciado (FADN Boxing)

185 pounds: Abe Maldonado (Foley's gym) decisioned Cameron Jeppson (Legends Cache Valley)

---

Utah Fight Game missed the final three bouts: 135 pounds: Daniel Star (Gomez KO Boxing) versus Luis Fernando Rios (Fight City); 147 pounds: Juan Maya (Los Gallitos) versus Andrew Christiansen (Gomez KO Boxing); and 170 pounds: Tristan Pinot (Fight City) versus Tristan Carreon (Legends). We will add those results when obtained. We have reached out to the promotion.

Dave Foley hosted and matched the card to a full house. USA Boxing Utah officiated. Pat Nielsen was the announcer. Names of boxers are as listed on card below.

--

February MMA, boxing results in Utah

MMA

On Feb. 15 at The Maverik Center in West Valley, Fierce Fighting Championship hosted an MMA card. featherweight Bobby King scored a third round stoppage of Samson Phommabout in the main event. King, who has enjoyed success of late, seems ready for an opportunity in Bellator, etc.

The entire card is here. In other bouts, Mike Hamel defeated Fabio Serrao via decision, Kyle Stewart and Carson Hardman scored first round wins over Mike Jones and Nate Kearsley, Josh Quinlan and Tracy Hardy scored submission wins over Aaron Thomson and Eric Munoz, and Trever Bradshaw and Brian Mitchell stopped Randy Rowland and Thomas Hughes in the first round.

---

On Feb. 21 in Salt Lake City, SteelFist hosted an MMA card. In the main bout, professional Cole Shafer, 1-0, 185 pounds, made a successful pro debut, stopping Nick Martinez in round one. In an amateur promotional title fight, 185 pounds, Ryan Thaxton stopped Zack Partridge in round 2. Undefeated amateur 265 pounder Bryce Scanlon stayed unbeaten, stopping Kendrid Wolf in round 3.  And in a battle of 145-pound amateurs, Austin Atkinson stopped Jordan Munoz in the second round. The entire card is here.

BOXING

At the 801 Event Center in Salt Lake City, there was a boxing card. In the main bout, professional heavyweight Helaman Olguin, 7-3, stopped Mexico's Alfredo Trevino, 9-7-1. Also, local Jalel Lopez, Lopez, 9-3-2, defeated veteran Edgar Ivan Garcia, 7-22-1. Undefeated Brandon Douglas defeated Carols Apodaca, 3-15-2, Ray Corona won his pro debut over Gary Bailey, 0-1-1, and Maryguenn Vellinga-Heinz, in her pro debut, defeated Jennifer Michelle Woods, 0-2.

On Feb. 22, there was an amateur boxing card at Foley's gym in Ogden. Below is a photo of the card with victors circled.

And in other news ...

SteelFist is having a Kickboxing card March 6 at the Union Event Center in Salt Lake City. Tyson Roberts will be fighting on the card ... On March 7, grappler John Valentine will be competing in a submission-only bout in Las Vegas. His sons will also be competing on the card.

Amateur boxers tussle in Ogden and Idaho

On Saturday, October 20, at Foley's gym in Ogden, local amateurs competed in a fight that also tagged the gym's 10th anniversary at its current location, 375 31st Street. Brad Davidson was the announcer. Seen above is a bout between 55-pounders James Rutherford, KC Boxing (at left), and Celtic Wright, Foley's gym. Rutherford won a decision.

IN OTHER BOUTS:

Elexies Willett, Palifox Boxing, decisioned Kayden Armstrong, Rodriguez Boxing, 56 pounds

(Seen above) Collin Tolikuva, Provo, (in red) decisioned Elijah Willett, Palifox, 100 pounds. Both fighters have now fought each other several times, all competitive bouts.

Damin Webielhouse, KC Boxing, decisioned James Cox, Horizonte, 65 pounds

Juan Maya, Palifox, decisioned Shane Saunders, PAL, 72 pounds

(Seen above) Joe Gibson, Foley's gym, (in red trunks) decisioned Holden Atwood, Legend's Boxing, 100 pounds

Sami Daybell, Foley's defeated Dulcy Burcham, Rodriguez Boxing, via 3rd round TKO, 119 pounds

Atahuaipa Anarve, Horizonte, decisioned Edgar Tarce, All Heart, 142 pounds

Aamon Hardi, Factum, decisioned Ian Lowry, Destination MMA, 147 pounds

Rene Mendoza, Louie's Boxing, decisioned Giani Madrid, State Street, 128 pounds

Renzo Conti, Foley's decisioned Hayden Magana, Destination MMA, 165 pounds

Kernal Rehobsen, Cache Valley Boxing, decisioned Chris Kennedy, Destination MMA 185 pounds

AND ...

that same day, some Utah amateur boxers scored wins in a card in Twin Falls, Idaho. Winners included Adrian Gamino and Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves champ Jon Bryant, who won a belt match. Other winners included Aliyah Garcia, Geovanni Rodriguez, and Eligio Hernandez Jr.

SteelFist card Friday, interview with Brandon Rease

Tomorrow night SteelFist MMA has a pro/am card in Salt Lake City at the Union Event Center. Interesting pro main event matches Joe Rodriguez, of One Hit MMA, and University of Grappling,, on a comeback, fighting Leo Pla, 205 pounds. Also fighting in a pro bout is AJ Garcia, of One Hit MMA, who meets (I think Karl Grace). Garcia had an opponent pull out recently so this is a late substitute. He recently had an opponent pull out at the Mountain Force MMA Pat Reeves Fight Night.

An intriguing amateur title bout matches Brandon Rease, (seen above at right in a previous bout) who fights at 125 pounds, against Robby Miner. It will be the second bout for the pair. Rease won the first via a stoppage due to strikes. Card starts at 7 p.m. More info on tickets at the SteelFist website. Next week we'll look at the upcoming MMA card at the Weber County Fairgrounds from Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night.

Here's an interview Utah Fight News had with Rease as he prepares for the SteelFist title bout with Miner.

Utah Fight Game: Brandon, you just won an amateur belt. How does it feel to go after another?

Rease: Yes I’m very excited to get a chance to win another belt I never thought I would be able to do that in my Ammy career. Utah Fight Game: How has your game improved recently?

Rease: I’ve change a lot I’ve been working on a lot on my kick boxing and strength and conditioning

Utah Fight Game: Tell us how training is going? Rease: I’ve been training with a lot of (fighters) at KOA Kingdom like Bobby King, Bryce Edminister, Bryce Scanlon, Miles Welk, Edgar Soto, Alonzo Salas and Hector Lopez.

Utah Fight Game: What's up for the future?

Rease: After this fight I plan on defending one of my belts and going pro.

Good luck to Rease, Miner and all the competitors at the card on Friday night. It'll be a great night of fights.

If you are in Pocatello, Idaho, on Saturday night Mountain Force MMA has a card there. One bout matches Kerry Lattimer against Billy Carothers. Here is the promotion's Facebook page.

SOME BOXING

This weekend, Friday and Saturday, there is amateur boxing at South Salt Lake PAL. Here is the Facebook Page for the 2018 Pete Suazo Invitational. ... Both Larry Gomez and Christian Aguirre may have pro bouts soon. Gomez may fight in Washington and Aguirre is slated to fight on a Top Rank card in Arizona. Hopefully both bouts, or others, will develop.

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.

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.

Talking with MMA pro Eric Iman

This Saturday night is the latest SteelFist MMA pro/am card. Fight card number 54 is at the Rail Event Center in Salt Lake City (235 N. 500 West, SLC 84116. The main event matches Eric Iman, of Team Link Utah, (seen above) as well as a Ben Lomond High School graduate, against One Hit MMA fighter Ben Moa, former collegiate (Utah) and NFL football player. They are fighting for the promotion's professional heavyweight title. The entire card is here.

We've followed Iman's career through the second decade of the 21st century and are pleased to publish this pre-fight interview:

Utah Fight Game: Tell readers a little about yourself. What got you interested in MMA, who are some MMA athletes you admire? 

Iman: "I was always interested in martial arts; who growing up didn’t want to be a samurai or a super hero? I started training with Rich Layton in Brazilian jiu-jitsu back in 2006 or so I trained with him for almost a year. Then I started training Muay Thai with Chris Fisher and learned from him for 6 months or so then I moved to train with Mickee Janjira and Danny Sanchez in Clearfield, I also was going to the Muay Thai Institute once a week or so to train with Sakasem. I trained at the Mori academy for a bit then moved to California where I trained under Gonyao, Jongsonan, and Enn at Fairtex in San Francisco for several years. I fought amateur Muay Thai in the Bay Area. When I moved back from California I met Fabio Serao and we have been training together ever since. I help coach him and some students at Team Link Utah in Layton."

Utah Fight Game: Who are some MMA athletes you admire?

Iman: "I really look up to Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone. He is a no-nonsense hard-nosed fighter I respect a lot.  I have been really impressed with Anthony Joshua and the fight he had with (Wladimir) Klitschko, I admire a fighter that can weather some damage and show some grit and bite down on his mouth piece and fight on.  Robbie Lawler is always entertaining and tough."

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

Iman: "My striking is definitely my strength, I have worked relentlessly on my takedown defense my whole career so I can keep the fight standing. I have knockout power in my hands and can finish a fight kicking with either leg. I think Ben has a lot of athleticism and I believe he will try to get me to the ground. I will use my defensive wrestling to keep the fight standing and I will always return with my shield or on it. I went the distance with (Maurice) Jackson and felt I won but I know if it's left to the judges it may be a crap shoot."

Utah Fight Game: Where do you hope to be in your career a year from now?

Iman: "As far as my fight career and where it will be in the next year? All I can say is 'You never know how far you can go, until you have gone too far.'  -- T.S. Eliot. I am 39 and I am in as good shape as I have ever been. I am definitely towards the end but I have a few left in the tank. A win here will definitely determine what’s next!

We wish the best of luck Saturday night for Iman, and Moa, as well as for all the fighters on the card. In the co-main, Josh Wixom and Cole Shafer fight for the SteelFist amateur middleweight belt. We are intrigued by pro bouts matching Trever Bradshaw with William Dunkle and Jared Toothaker versus Tyson Cowan. One of the amateur bouts matches a returning Carissa Merrill against debuting Brittany Guillemin.


MMA RESULTS LAST WEEKEND OF AREA NOTE

In Mesquite, Nevada, Kaecy Raddon lost a close bout to Rocky Cantu for the TuffNUff amateur lightweight title. This was a closely contested bout that could have gone to both fighters. Raddon finished the fight very strongly. A couple of local amateurs from KOA gym fought on the card. Kelsey Skillman lost a decision and Hector Lopez scored a TKO win.

Brenda Enriquez, a former SteelFist amateur champ who fights pro MMA with Combate Americas is now 1-1 as a pro after losing a decision to Vanessa Rico Fernandez last weekend at Combate 19 in San Antonio, Texas.

And amateur Aubree Thompson, who also won a SteelFist title when she lived in the Top of Utah, stopped Irene White in round one last weekend in Portland, Ore.

AMATEUR BOXING IN SLC

The U.S. Boxing nationals amateur boxing championships and junior open is this week in Salt Lake City. Some local amateurs have competed, including Mateo Holt of Louie's gym, and James Cox and Dylan Bahena, of LightsOut gym..

MMA fighter David Castillo retires, updates in boxing, MMA

Davis County MMA professional David Castillo announced his retirement recently via a social media post. Castillo, an 155-pounder, has had a very distinguished career. He won a couple of belts, most recently a Front Street Fights title, and fought for Showdown and RFA titles.

Here's a look at his accomplishments in the cage (here) and he has a personal page as well. Castillo is currently involved in the sport as a coach, training partner and student at KOA Kingdom in Layton.

ON TO BOXING, ... The Factum gym in Sandy had an amateur boxing card on Nov. 11. Above shows Jesus Rodriguez, of Louie's gym in SLC, at left, fighting Joe Gibson of Foley's gym in Ogden (87 pounders). Gibson received the decision. In other fights involving Top of Utah boxers, 66 pounds, James Cox, of Lights Out in Clearfield, lost a decision to Diego Leidecker, Unbreakable; Ogden's Elijah Willet lost a decision to Collin Tuilevuku, 85 pounds; Christian Pasillas, Lights Out, decisioned Alex Poncde, Factum, 160 pounds; and Shakeem Barnwell, Foley's, decisioned Tristan Solies, Louie's, heavyweights.

Also, professional boxer Jose Haro, USBA and ABO featherweight champ, announced on social media that he had been called to fight for the IBF world featherweight in a London bout, only to learn later the promoters changed their minds and went with a different opponent. Jose may very well  be the finest featherweight boxer in the world. We hope he gets the chance to prove it.

MORE MMA: Several Utah MMA pros fought last weekend. In Boise, Idaho, at a Front Street Fights card, Bryce Edminister was defeated in his pro debut. In Las Vegas, amateurs Destiny McCubbin and Aaron Thomson lost decisions in Tuff-N-Uff promotional title bouts. On the same card, John Valentine, who recently retired as a pro MMA fighter, fought a submission-only five-minute Ju Jitsu match. It went to a no decision. Valentine announced on social media he will be fighting in Anaheim, Calif., at the World No Ju Jitsu Championships Dec, 16-17. Finally, Utah's Court McGee, a UFC veteran for several years, lost a close decision to Sean Strickland on Nov. 11 at UFC Fight Night 120 in Norfolk, Va.

Sports training business starting; updates on MMA, boxing

Matt Oyler, and impressive athlete that I've known for a while, is starting a business that offers physical training for young athletes and also assists coaches. It's titled Undefeated by Choice and an Indiegogo account is helping provide funding. Below is a news release about the new business. We wish Matt, an amateur MMA fighter, success with the venture.

UNDEFEATED BY CHOICE:

A new website is soon to be launched by a Weber County based company, Undefeated By Choice (UBC). This website is designed for use by young athletes and their coaches in both the city sponsored sports programs, and the junior high and high school levels. Using this UBC tool, young athletes can greatly improve their skills during the off-season, by following specifically designed drills for speed, agility, and endurance. product will contain general training techniques, future versions will incorporate training that will be sport specific, and specific to different levels and ages. Their coaches and athletic directors can use the site to track the participation and progress that their players are making.

This tool and concept is being developed by Matt Oyler, (seen above) a lifetime Weber County resident. As a player, coach, and certified athletic trainer, Matt has come to understand the lack of resources that most athletes have access to during their off season. He has seen that the need to develop a year round program of fitness and skill training is essential to those young athletes who desire to reach their full potential.

As an athletic trainer himself, Matt knows that most of these young people cannot afford to hire a personal trainer. While his website will have a very minimal cost, it will certainly be affordable for any income level of family. Matt has met with numerous players, coaches, and athletic directors throughout Utah as he has developed this concept and tool. Their enthusiasm and support for his plan has been hugely encouraging, and has given him many additional ideas for his development of the UBC site, “myteamtrainer.com”. In addition to the training material, the site will provide Mattʼs unique, humorous, and wildly enthusiastic motivational advice.

An Indiegogo account will soon be opened to provide additional funding for ongoing development of a high quality website, and marketing efforts. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/my-team-trainer-sports/x/17548311#/ (Here).

---

MMA update:

Mike Jones, Idaho MMA pro, fought in Atlantic City last weekend for the CFFC promoltion 170-pound pro title. Jones was stopped in round 2 by Sean Brady.

A trio of local fighters have matches within the next couple of weeks or so. Steven Siler fights the main event in Washington D.C. against Lance Palmer in a web-televised pro MMA bout promoted by Professional Fighters League, once The World Series of Fighting. A web telecast will be on several sites, including Facebook.

Top of Utah amateur MMA fighter Bryce Edminister, who fights out of The Garage MMA, will make his pro debut on Nov. 10 in Boise, Idaho, on a card promoted by Front Street Fights.

Weber County amateur MMA fighter Destiny McCubbin, who trains in Las Vegas, fights for the Tuff-N-Uff Straw-weight title on Nov. 11 in Las Vegas.

The December SteelFist card, which will be at the Rail Event Center on Dec. 9, is starting to take shape. The main event is worth the price of admission. It matches Ben Moa and Eric Iman for the promotion's heavyweight title.

Finally, in UFC action, Court McGee fights on  Nov. 11 when he meets Sean Strickland in Norfolk, Va., as part of UFC Fight Night 120.

---

BOXING:

Remember that Nov. 3 is boxing at The Complex. A pro bout between middleweights Michael Gomez and Christian Aguirre headlines. Also scheduled to fight are Gabriel Chairez (pro debut), Ignacio Chairez, Larry Gomez, and Bladimir Estrada.

Cache Valley Boxing, run in the garage of Ryan Gregory, was recently featured by USU Aggies news. Here's the news feature. Congrats Cache Valley Boxing.

There was an amateur card at The Legacy Events Center last weekend. It was promoted by All Heart gym. (Above, Shakeem Barnwell (at left) wins a decision over Filimone Fontongia, heavyweights).

The card:

Jones has MMA fight in Atlantic City; Complex to host boxing card

Several nuggets of information in the Utah boxing and mixed martial arts world:

MMA:

Saturday's SteelFist card results are available the Facebook page Fighting Out of Utah MMA news. In the main pro bouts, all ending in round one, Thiago Alvez defeated Kyle Herrera for 155 pound belt, Dustin Jenkins defeated Thomas Hughes, Carson Gregory defeated Francisco Alcantara, Daniel Grass defeated AJ Garcia, and Ben Moa defeated Ryan Wagner. In two amateur title bouts, Ranu Meah defeated Ryan Gunderson in round one, 265-plus; and Mike O'Laskey stopped Ethan Shepherd in round three, 155 pounds. Because O'Laskey missed weight, the title remains vacant.

-- Colorado's Mike Jones, an Utah native who now fights as a professional MMA fight out of Colorado, fights Sean Brady for the CFFC promotion welterweight title Saturday, Oct. 21 in Atlantic City, N.J. We wish Mike the best with this great opportunity.

BOXING:

There is a professional, boxing card on Friday November 3, 20107 at The Complex, promoted by FKP Productions. The main even matches local pros Michael Gomez and Christian Aguirre for the Utah state middleweight title. Also, local amateur star Gabriel Chairez makes his pro debut against Andre Kennedy. Another well-regarded amateur who is a young professional, Bladimir Estrada, is scheduled to fight Dylan Raffuto. Antonio Montoya fights Jose Avalos. Rumor has it that two of Utah's best pro prospects, Ignacio Chairez and Larry Gomez, are scheduled meet opponents that night. I have also heard that veteran Ogden pro Stanley Robinson is fighting on the card.

-- "The Second Coming," an amateur boxing card hosted by All Heart Boxing of Farr West, has a full schedule of amateur bouts this Saturday at the Legacy Events Center in Farmington. Fights start at 7 p.m. It's $12 for adults, $6 for kids. Brad Davidson will be announcing.

Results from Ogden amateur boxing; SteelFist card draws near

Last Saturday night at Foley's gym in Ogden, there were a large selection of amateur bouts. Seen above is Carson Matthews, 105 pounder, Foley's, getting his hand raised after a bout against Cole Jones of Fullmer's gym.

Here are most of the results from the Oct. 7 show:

75 -- Aaron Garcia, Unbreakable, defeated Collin Tuilevuka, Independent
72 -- Sergio Sanchez, Unbreakable, defeated Ozmanny Sanchez, Lights Out
55 - Valentin Sanchez, Unbreakable, defeated James Cox, Lights Out
65 -- Noah Leidecker, Unbreakable, defeated Giovani Gonzalez, Lights Out
68 - Diego Leidecker, Unbreakable, defeated Justice Hubley, Fullmer's
82 -- Saul Gamino, Fractured, defeated Joe Gibson, Foley's
102 -- Kayden Robinette, Fractured, defeated Tanner Gurule, Fullmer's
105 - Matthews, Foley's, defeated Jones, Fullmer's
85 - Jesus Rodriguez, Louie's, defeated Jesus Guzman, P.A.L.
170 - Diego Arroyo, Foley's, stopped Nicholas Denison, All Heart, after one round
125 -- Vanessa Lopez, Louie's, defeated Maya Harris, Factum
129 - Eduardo Zamora, Fullmer's defeated Luis Cornejo, Foley's
132 - Jackie Barco, Louie's, defeated Macy White, Foley's
135 - Jesus Saldana, All Heart, defeated Emanuel Gonzalez, Reyes
150 - Lizber Herrera, Foley's, defeated Kylan Withers, Legends
157 - Gary Bailey, Factum, defeated Christian Passillas, Lights Out
170 - Todd Pacheko, Foley's, defeated Sundance Watts, Powers Boxing
Heavyweight - Shakeem Barnwell, Foley's, stopped Chase Schumaker, Factum.

---

STEELFIST CARD TOMORROW:

This month's SteelFist card is tomorrow. It's at Riverbend Sports Complex in SLC and starts at 6 p.m. More info is here or here.

The main even is a lightweight promotion title bout between Kyle Herrera and Thiago Alves. This will be a good fight. The co-main matches prospect Thomas Hughes against another good prospect, Dustin Jenkins. Another good pro match is between veteran Francisco Alcantara and prospect Carson Gregory. We interviewed Alcantara recently.

I'm also intrigued in a pro match between AJ Garcia and Daniel Grass. And former NFL football player, who played for Utah in college, Ben Moa, meets Ryan Wagner in a pro bout. And the promotion's amateur lightweight belt is at stake with Ethan Shepherd meeting Michael O'Laskey.

The entire scheduled card is here. We'll provide results.

Interview with MMA pro Cisco Alcantara

As part of a preview for the October SteelFist MMA card we've chatted with Top of Utah mixed martial artist Francisco "Cisco" Alcantara, who returns to the cage after a while off to meet undefeated Carson Gregory. Alcantara recently trained a few days at Duane Ludwig's gym in Broomfield, Colo., working out with the Bang Muy Thai training system. (Above, from left, UFC fighter T.J. Dillashaw, unidentified fighter, Alcantara and Ludwig.) 

Here's our interview.

Tell me about visiting Colorado, Bang Mui Thai, Duane Ludwig's philosophy on training. How does it help you personally as a mixed martial artist? Who went with you?

Alcantara: Visiting Colorado for 4 days was great. We did two trainings/classes a day at Bang Muay Thai with Duane Ludwick himself showing us the proper way of putting the punches and kicks together. Also we had the opportunity to train alongside TJ Dillashaw watching how an ex-UFC champion trains and puts his combinations together was great and inspiring. We also went to Easton gym to spar with current and up and coming UFC fighters. Let's just say they only have one speed and that's fast and hard. Jon Neal, Gavin Weston, Hayden Brown and Jarrett Kelton all went with me but Jarrett Kelton set it all up for us. He's been helping since day one. (Below, Alcantara, front in last row, lined up for training.)

What is training like for the Gregory fight? You've had a break from the cage. Are you back into the routine well?

Alcantara: Training for Gregory is training to go to war, just like any other war that I've been in. This time I've worked hard to get to a lighter weight: class, 170 pounds. I've never fought at 170 so I will be faster, stronger and healthier than I've ever been in this fight. My mind is clear and I'm still chasing this dream I want to fight in the UFC one day and I honestly think that I can beat any 170-pound man that walks this earth with proper training and God's grace. 

Who is helping you locally train? How is your mindset after a few years away. Are family and friends a support.

Alcantara: I'm back in routine training with Dave Foley Jarrett Kelton and Aldo Oreggia from One Hit (and) West Side. And (I'm training with) Jason Tafoya on striking and mitt work. I'm too old to go in the cage and risk injury or even my life just for nothing. The pay is minimal, I've actually lost money for taking time off of work and paying for blood work and test but to me this is an investment and me stopping Gregory will put me at the top of the division and hopefully move me closer to the Big Show. (Photo below shows Alcantara on the way to making the 170-pound weight.)

Alcantara: My children have been in my corner since day one. They root for daddy win or lose I've had a bad losing streak but it's time to change that and show my friends, family and even my enemies that you can't keep a good man down, that hard work and dedication pays off. I'm will to do anything and everything to win and walk up the ranks to get to the top ... Cisco kid.

My family is traveling from California to watch this fight so I have a lot of pressure to win but I look at it like this, regardless. I'm coming to win. I just need to make it pretty for them. I'm dedicating this fight to The Lord and Savior that has kept me alive and well through the hard times that life brings.

Back to us: Good luck Cisco on fight night. We extend that same wish to all the competitors. And thanks again Cisco, for speaking with us. I still recall your win over Mike Crisman a while back as one of the best fights I have seen.

Results to the last weekend's Fierce Fighting Championship card in Tooele are at Fighting Out of Net Facebook page (here).  Results included Antonio Arroyo stopping Trever Carlson in round one, David Putvin stopping Cy Nelson, and Nate Kearsley winning a majority decision over Tanner Cowan. In amateur title bouts, Aaron Thomson stopped Ali Farkhar and Zac Cavender stopped Justin Oswald.

ONE MORE THING: Professional Trever Bradshaw announced on social media that he's fighting on a SteelFist card on Dec. 9.

BOXING:

Two amateur cards. Saturday night, Oct. 7, at Foley's gym in Ogden, a host of amateur fights start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. Info in the poster below. 

And All Heart Gym has scheduled an amateur card on Oct. 21, doors open at 5 p.m, at the Legacy Events Center in Farmington. Here's a poster below. Brad Davidson will be announcing the card.

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.