SteelFist MMA card takes shape, amateur boxing, FitCon in SLC

(YET ANOTHER UPDATE!!! LIGHTS OUT'S JON BRYANT HEADING TO NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES, ALONG WITH GABRIEL CHAIREZ AND OTHERS) (UPDATED WITH THE REST OF THE PHOTOS FROM FOLEYS' AMATEUR BOXING CARD)(UPDATED WITH RESULTS FROM FITCON MMA CARD) (UPDATED WITH FOLEYS' FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS) The next SteelFist MMA card is starting to take shape. As mentioned, the main event is LJ Schulz (One Hit MMA) versus Anthony Miller (Garage MMA)

Co-main is Steve Chan (Victory MMA) versus Miles Welk (Garage MMA). Other announced bouts include Ben Guymon (seen above) (Foleys/The Pack MMA) against Kaden Weston (One Hit MMA), Ahmed "AK" (Absolute MMA) versus Cory Rose (One Hit MMA) and Shayne Bonner (Heber Boys) versus Gavin Weston (One Hit MMA). The card, the promotion's 50th, is set for June 23 at Riverbend Sports Complex in SLC. We'll update as more bouts are announced.

This Friday night is the FitCon MMA card. It starts at 7 at the Salt Place in SLC. Here is the card: And we have results

Josh Tyler vs Daniel Ruiz, pros -- TYLER WINS ROUND 1 VIA REAR NAKED CHOKE
Nick Burgos vs Gabe Pelayo, pros -- BURGOS TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION
Hunter Azure vs David Maggio, amateur -- AZURE WINS VIA TKO, ROUND 2
Justus Minardi vs Angelo Trujillo, amateur -- MINARDI WINS VIA RNC, ROUND 3
Jessica Kruger vs Xasha Lopez, amateur -- KRUGER WINS VIA DECISION
Scott Foster vs Eric Munoz, amateur -- FOSTER WINS VIA FIRST ROUND AMERICANA
Nino Genao vs Spencer Olson, amateur -- GENEO WINS, 1ST ROUND TKO
Jacob Lamb vs AJ Pallante -- APPARENTLY SCRATCHED
Eli Christiansen vs Mark Chavez, amateur -- CHAVEZ WINS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Ping Moli vs Brent Peterson, amateur -- PETERSON SCORES UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN

Results are courtesy of Fighting Out of Utah MMA News. Thanks Dutch, Jeffrey Dutcher Jr.

One more thing: West Haven amateur MMA female Destiny "My Time" McCubbin has signed with Fight Path Consulting, a combat sports consulting firm based in Idaho.

BOXING

Here are the results of the amateur boxing card (as much as we have) at Foleys gym in Ogden last Saturday. We have dozens of photos taken and hope to publish them soon but are working through some techie-type glitches to get them on the site. Here's results:

100 pounds -- Jesus Rodriguez (Train Station) decisioned Carson Mathews (Foleys)
92 pounds: Leo Sanchez (PAL) decision over Elijah Willett (Foleys)
127 pounds - Santana DeCarlo (All Heart) decisioned Jonathan Monte Longo-Reyez
90 pounds -- Jesus Rodrigues (Louie's) decisioned Vinnie Apodaca (Foleys)
85 pounds -- Collin Tuilevuka (Independent) defeated Aaron Garcia (Unbreakable)
90 pounds - Kayden Robbinette (Fractured) decisioned Jaiuard me Sanchez (Spartan Boxing 970)
135 pounds - Luis Cornejo (Foleys) decisoned Christian Zavala (Unbreakable)
130 pounds - Eduard Andrade (Louie's) decisioned Jesse Brown (All Heart)
122 pounds - Kathy Grant (Louie's) defeated Macy White (Foleys)
170 pounds - Andy Jensen (Foleys) decisioned Chris Nanney (Mane Event Boxing) 
125 pounds - Michelle Maya (Louie's) decisioned Monica Lazalde (Fullmer's) "They went to war ... and received fight of the night," said gym owner and trainer Dave Foley.

JUST A REMINDER ... Rocky Mountain regional Golden Gloves is this weekend at the Salt Palace. Good luck to all the local boxers hoping to move on to nationals. More information. Also, the next weekend is the amateur Junior Olympics regional tournament at the Sorenson Center.

UPDATE!!! The regional Golden Gloves have finished and we have Utah boxers advancing to the open National Golden Gloves. Jon Bryant, of Clearfield gym Lights Out, defeated Idaho's Austyn Broncho to move through in the 152-pound division. In the 132-pound division, Gabriel Chairez, brother of undefeated pro Ignacio Chairez, defeated Wyoming's Jalen Gibson to move to nationals. Other Utahns going to nationals include Halatoa Piutau and Milo Guitierrez. Here's a link to an excellent Deseret News recap. Also moving to nationals from Lights Out gym is heavyweight Jose Torres.

I chatted with Jon via Faceback Messenger last night who offered us some comments: 

It went pretty well! I used my jab very effectively! I waited a little bit too much which I need to pick it up at nationals! My jab was landing every time! I just need to let my hands go! I felt very comfortable and confident going against a nationally ranked fighter! What comes next is Louisiana for Nationals! My goal Is to win the whole tournament! I know I can do it if I fight my fight!

After that, is USA Qualifiers in October. I want yo put Utah On the map For boxing like Diego (Alvarez) did.

I Would Love To Have a shout out to my great-grandmother who raised me that passed away the day before my 13th birthday. Her name was Harriet P. Wilken.

UPDATE! We have photos from Foley's amateur card, courtesy of Katie Aurich, freelancing for us. I'll put about six up now, and dozens more through weekend. Unfortunately, no captions. Email doug1963@gmail.com if you have a caption for a photo. (Sunday, April 23, rest of photos, 40-plus more, also added)

Neal holds title, Chandler, Garcia among other MMA winners

Jon Neal (10-0), of Ogden (One Hit MMA) successfully defended his SteelFist 145-pounder title Saturday night in Salt Lake City, but it wasn't easily accomplished.

Skyler Frazier (5-2) (Absolute MMA) who Neal eventually stopped in round three via a shoulder choke tap out, came as close as anyone has to defeating Neal. The challenger dominated in the first round, stunning Neal with strikes and outmaneuvering him on the ground.

In the second round, after failing a low-percentage guillotine choke attempt from the ground, Neal (seen advancing at Frazier above) seemed to settle down and take charge on the ground, slowly wearing Frazier down.

But the challenger seized back control early in round three, hurting Neal with strikes, driving him back and throwing a barrage of unanswered punches. Neal was able to pick off most of the follow up shots. When the fight went back to the ground, Neal stepped up the pressure over his tiring opponent, forcing the tap at 2.40 seconds.

As always, Neal showed the heart and talent to recover from tough spots and use his strong ground game to gradually rough up opponents.

It was an exciting fight and Frazier certainly established himself as a top 145 pounder and a likely candidate to fight again for the SteelFist belt if Neal, as many think, eventually gets to prove himself with a major national/international promotion. The champion admitted afterward that he shares the dream of all MMA fighters, which is a call from the UFC.

Certainly among regional fighters who have not moved beyond state promotions, Neal merits a shot with UFC, or Bellator, or WSOF, etc. But Frazier revealed at least one improvement Neal needs to make before taking a step up -- his striking defense.

CHANDLER STOPS LATTIMER

Ogden's Jordan Chandler (One Hit MMA) got back on the winning track stopping the tough Idaho veteran Kerry Lattimer via a tap out at 1:34 of round 2 with a rear naked choke.

After staggering Lattimer with a strike in round one Chandler (seen on top above) took the bout to the ground and dominated most of round one. Lattimer managed to get on top near the very end of the round.

However, Chandler quickly seized control in round two over his Idaho opponent and managed the rear naked choke tap out win at 1:34 of round two. It was a nice win for Chandler after having dropped three decisions and being stopped once.

Afterwards, Chandler plans to fight again in June and, if he begins graduate school, will then announce his retirement.

GARCIA WINS DEBUT

In a professional bout that was a rematch from amateur days, Ogden's AJ Garcia, who trains out of Foley's gym, scored a three round decision over Rowdy Akers (4-3) of One Hit MMA. It was Garcia's pro debut. He had defeated Akers in an amateur bout as well.

Akers was game but Garcia (seen on top above) managed to get his opponent to the ground and keep him there for most of the bout. Akers rallied early in round three but Garcia regained control by round's end. The decision was unanimous.

In other pro bouts, Carson Gregory (2-0), of X Cite MMA, took a beating for about eight minutes from Absolute MMA's Kade Lindstrom (1-2) before rallying to stop Lindstrom in round three via a tap out (rear naked choke). And showboating Josh Bateman (5-3) Four-7 Training Center "talked the walk" by putting Trevor Cook (5-8) University of Grappling, to sleep via a choke at 1:51 of the first round.

AMATEUR BOUTS

Two SteelFist amateur champs retained their belts. Former University of Utah football star, and NFL player Ben Moa (4-0) One Hit MMA, stopped Curt Liefson (2-2) Factum MMA in 44 seconds to retain his heavyweight belt. Moa was cheered by attendee Ron McBride, former Utes football coach.

Joel Haro (9-1), Absolute MMA, barely retained his 135 pound amateur belt after a spirited 5 round battle from smaller but stronger Austin Strehle (4-1) Tooele MMA. An edge in experience helped Haro to a close split-decision nod.

In other amateur bouts:

125 pounds: Jordan Marshall (3-0), in a see-saw bout, managed to stop Robby Miner (1-3) in round two.

205 pounds: A very tall Zach Cavender (3-0) stopped Thomas Harper (1-4) in round one.

135 pounds: Debuting Joey Revelli won a very competitive fight via decision over Tre McCoy (2-1).

155 pounds: One Hit MMA's Rico Valdez (1-1) stopped Kris Ricks in round one.

170 pounds: Andy Black (0-1) landed the first punch, a jab, against Charles Zimmerman, but Zimmerman (1-0) landed the next several, dropping Black, with the bout halted after 8 seconds.

155 pounds: Bobby Simpson (1-1) outlasted Josh Heath (1-2), stopping him in round two.

125 pounds: Brandon Lemings (2-2) dominated most of round one against Daryl Sullivan (0-2), who was unable to answer the bell for round two due to a foot injury. Winner Lemings announced to the crowd that he's getting married in two weeks.

It was a nice crowd at Riverbend Sports Complex, which has a venue ideal for boxing and MMA. The venue will host the next SteelFist card on June 23. Main event is LJ Schulz (One Hit MMA) against Anthony Miller (Garage MMA). Co-main is Miles Welk (Garage MMA) versus Steve Chan (Victory MMA).

-- Doug Gibson

SteelFist MMA card, amateur boxing on Saturday, April 18

Above are the two events this weekend that Utah Fight Game will be covering on Saturday. We'll have a photographer at Foley's gym in Ogden, 375 31st St., at 7 pm for amateur boxing. Tickets are $12, $6 for younger kids.

At the Riverbend Sports Complex in Salt Lake City, 1085 Winding River Code W, we'll be there at 6 p.m. for the SteelFist card (here). Ticket info is at steelfistfightnight.com or 801-637-7063. The main bout matches 145 pound SteelFist champ Jon Neal (One Hit MMA) of Ogden defending his title against Skyler Frazier (Absolute MMA). Other pro bouts include Ogden's Jordan Chandler (One Hit MMA) meeting Idaho veteran Kerry Lattimer and debut pro, from Foley's gym, AJ Garcia, versus One Hit MMA's Rowdy Akers.

-- Let's start with some boxing results from the amateur card at Legends in Sandy on April 11. They are: Yahir Estrada defeating Javier Gamma; Adriano Benn (All Heart) defeating Mateo Holt; Kai Chiang defeated Gary Bailey; Rene Mendoza defeated Jesus Saldana (All Heart); John Gonzalez defeated Andy Jensen (Foleys); Jesus Garcia defeated Dorian Spencer; Jordan Argyle defeated Alex Treadway (Foleys); and Ramon Lopez defeated Jon Bryant (Lights Out) in a surprise. I watched that bout via FB and Lopez used effective aggression to neutralize Bryant's outside boxing game. After the spring/summer tournament season finishes, this would make a good rematch.

In the pro ranks, Jose Haro is scheduled to fight in Tijuana, Mexico, at the end of the month. If we find out more we'll publish it at the blog. FKP Boxing, which just had a card at Riverbend, plans another pro/am card in May, I've been told.

BACK TO MMA

In previous posts, I have interviewed four fighters, Chandler, Lattimer, Garcia and Akers. We made an effort to get interviews with Neal and Frazier but it just didn't happen. My two cents on the main event is that Neal certainly merits being the favorite. He's yet to lose and he's passed his three toughest tests, wins over Scottie Casey, Jordan Clements and Tanner Cowan, well. Since after his pro debut, a decision win, no one has taken Neal into round three.

Having said that, I'm impressed with Frazier's talents as well, particularly his recuperative powers during fights, finding that second or third wind when necessary. Also, he learns from mistakes and despite some losses has returned a better fighter. As mentioned, Neal is my tabbed favorite but if Frazier can take this past round two and into areas that Neal is not familiar with, it may get more interesting. In any event, can't wait for this bout as well as the whole card. Despite peripheral neuropathy which keeps me home too often, I'm trekking to this card.

SOME MORE MMA NEWS: Davis County professional MMA fighter Sean Powers has signed a contract with Toronto-based Mickey Meyer Management Group. ... Friday, April 21, is a FITCON MMA card in SLC. On April 22 there's a kickboxing card scheduled. We did an interview with MMA amateur Eric Munoz, of Foley's gym recently, who will fight on April 21. Also scheduled to fight is undefeated female amateur Jessica Kruger. More info and the entire card is here. ... Buffy Ogden, a female MMA amateur who has been off a couple of years, announced on social media she may be back in the cage soon. Details will be announced after contracts are set. ... Also on social media, local amateur Brandon Rease (The Garage) said he may fight in Nevada soon.

Just remembered, go to the Utah Fighter MMA podcast of April 9 and hosts Eric Tillotson and Reed Romney analyze all three MMA cards, SteelFist, FitCon and South Valley Slam.

ONE MORE THING: We recently interviewed 46 year old MMA pro John Valentine, who is fighting on the May 13 South Valley Slam card in Hurricane, Utah. John's opponent has switched; he'll be fighting 170-pounder Michael Dillard. John generally fights at a lighter weight. Dillard has a win over Koji Lehman and a loss to Ogden MMA pro Justin Roberts among his bouts.

I chatted with John about the opponent change: "Hey Doug it's interesting I'm fighting a really big guy Mike Dillard. He's been around for a while; his record's about mixed but he's extremely big. I think he's 6 foot 1 inch, walks at 193 pounds it's gonna make for an interesting fight because I know he's going to lose some weight to get down to 170. I walk at 155 roughly but on fight night he's probably gonna have me by 30 pounds so I have to be very tight on my game strategy. I think I got this ... it's gonna be an exciting match up and probably will make for an exciting fight. There's already a lot of buzz and I sold a lot of tickets. People are more curious on whether not a little person can be the big person."

As the South Valley Slams draws nearer Utah Fight Game blog will have interviews with MMA pros Daniel Stratton and James Russell Francis, who are fighting each other on the card, and amateur Bryce Edminister, who will be meeting Nick Estrada on the card. ... Our periodic look a the state athletic commission upcoming fight events.

Photos from SLC boxing card on April 1

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

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

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

CHRISTIAN AGUIRRE (white trunks) DEFEATS LAURENTINO ENRIQUEZ, PRO

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

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

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

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

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

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

The card as of Thursday is below.

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