Photo gallery from Horn's Elite MMA card at Weber County Fair

From the very talented Katie Aurich, Utah Fight Game blog presents a a photo essay of the Aug. 11 MMA card from Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night at the Weber County Fair in Ogden. Go here for results. Your blogger is busy so no time today to do captions but we'll try our best over the weekend. Some info: Thomas Hughes, who won his pro MMA debut, plans to fight again in Salt Lake City in October. Also, Utah fight fans, here's an ESPN feature on new U.S. boxing champ Jose Haro.

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Bryce Edminister fights on Front Street Fights MMA card

On Friday, we will post a photo gallery of the Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night Show at the Ogden Fairgrounds Aug. 11.

Today, we are chatting with Top of Utah amateur MMA competitor Bryce Edminister. He trains out of The Garage MMA in Layton and has compiled a 7-3-1 record. Tomorrow night he'll be competing in Boise, Idaho, fighting undefeated Kellen VanCamp. For more information, go here and here.

Our interview with Bryce:

What do you know about Kellen Van Camp. How do you match with him? What's training like?

Edminister: From what I know Kellen seems like a tough martial artist. He has been doing well in the east and has an undefeated record. I know he is seven fights in and seems well rounded. I think we match up extremely well, honestly. I see this fight being very taticle and surely a fun one to watch for the fans in Boise Idaho. My training regimen is something I'm proud of. Strength and conditioning is a daily habit and each day of the week brings about a new focus on my craft from Striking, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling and blending them all together. I have a staff of extremely experienced and well rounded coaches. Jason Tafoya has completely reshaped my striking and turned this Jiu Jitsu guy into a Jiu Jitsu guy that is getting sharper with his hands. I also have Anthony Lobato of course who has been with me since the beginning and truly one of the best Jiu Jitsu coaches this state has to offer.. Then David Castillo who is a fighter himself, and a great one at that. Having a coach that lives and breathes the life of a fighter has been valuable. 

Front Street Fights has had some good promotions. How did this fight come to be? Who are you working out with at The Garage?

Edminister: I couldn't agree more, Front Street Fights seems like an outstanding promotion and I look forward to putting on a show. They center the fights in the CenturyLink Arena which gives it that next level feel. The fight came about just from basic networking. We've had teammates fight for Todd and Front Street in the past, then we have our coach David Castillo who is their current 155 champion. Of course when the opportunity came about I was super excited to bring a taste of the Utah combat scene to Boise. Being said, man the amount of support I've received is humbling both inside and outside of my gym. Past training partners and fighters reaching out and then of course I have my squad at The Garage who always help me get an unlimited amount of fast paced rounds in. My coaches, and then Bobby King, Miles Welk, Nate Owens, Hector Lopez, Josh Garlick, Alonzo Salas, Brandon Rease, Edgar Sorto and Steph Anie to name a few. In addition I was lucky enough to travel to Washington DC and New York to get work in with other teams and locations such as Radical MMA and Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts.

What are you MMA goals a year from now?

Edminister: My goals are pretty simple. Step into the pro world, become a champion, and then take that walk to the cage for a major promotion with my corner and squad beside me ... then we start phase two. I've been in this game for a while now and have learned many lessons. I can confidently say that my fight game is clicking more and more. The future is looking bright. Keep an eye open!

Good luck tomorrow night, Bryce. Remember, blog readers, photos from the Horn's Elite show should be posted on Friday.

Hughes wins pro debut at fairgrounds, Jordan gets main event win

Here are results from last night's Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night MMA card at the Weber County Fairgrounds. In the co-main event, Ogden's Thomas Hughes made a successful pro MMA debut winning in round one over another debuting pro, Marcel McCain of southern California.

In the main event, David Jordan stopped Bobby King in round three.

Below are all the results, courtesy of Jeffrey "Dutch" Dutcher's Fighting Out of Utah MMA News. Above are three photos of the Hughes, McCain match (Hughes at right), taken by Katie Aurich, who was cageside for Utah Fight Game blog. On Thursday, we will have a photo gallery of the card courtesy of Aurich.

The other results:

Hunter Azure defeated Jonathan Lorenz, round one.

Alonzo Salas defeated Eric Munoz in round three. It was the popular Munoz' final bout.

Nathan Owens stopped Kevin Torres in round two.

Geovanni Gavilanez scored a decision win over Nate Cook.

Stephanie Parillo stopped Madie Park in round one.

Jeffrey Prado Morales defeated Tyler Conway in round one.

Brad Renton decisioned Victor Sanchez.

Jerome Loto scored a decision over Jacob Robbins.

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.

Interview with MMA professional Thomas Hughes

Thomas Hughes (at left with teammate Jarrett Kelton) is making his professional MMA debut Friday, Sept. 12 in Ogden as part of the Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night card during the Weber County Fair. Although Hughes has a 3-0 amateur MMA record, he's better known as a kick, who, along with Kelton, is a member of the U.S. kickboxing team. He's a national champ and has fought internationally.

I had the opportunity to chat with Thomas:

1) What was the motivator to turn pro? And while it's an MMA fight is your primary goal to compete in kickboxing?

Hughes: I've been trying to get a fight since January with SteelFist and they've not been able so get me an opponent and when Jen (of Horn's Elite) called me -- she had two people pull out from fighting me as well -- ... I knew I had to turn pro or else I wouldn't get a fight! 

2) What do you know about your opponent, Marcel McCain (6-0 amateur). Is there any specific training for him?

Hughes: All I know is he holds a few belts and is undefeated! That doesn't intimidate me at all. My game plan and training is pretty simple; work hard and go for the finish! 

3) Where are you training and with whom? I assume Jarrett and others are helping? What's the daily routine?

Hughes: I've been working at One Hit MMA for striking, Blackout (gym) with Lucus Montoya and a lot of phenomenal grapplers, and also down at Mori Training Center (in Ogden) with guys like Ryder Campo.

4) After this bout, what's on tap long-term?

Hughes: I'm making my run to the UFC. Within 2018 I'll have a contract in the UFC. I'm actually looking to transition and move down to Vegas in the coming weeks with my family after the fight!

5) So you are moving toward UFC rather than Glory or Bellator Kickboxing? Where will you train in Las Vegas? 

Hughes: I've got a few connection at Xtreme Couture and syndicate so I'm going to pray about it to know for sure! Yes I'm going full toward UFC and leaving the kickboxing behind.

Hughes certainly has the talent to move up in MMA and he swish him well in his pro debut and future. 

NEXT WEEK we will be interviewing some fighters from The Pack at Foley's gym in Ogden who will be competing in amateur bouts at the Horn's Elite card, including veteran Eric Munoz.

ALSO, just a reminder that The Garage's amateur Bryce Edminister is fighting in Boise, Idaho, at the Front Street Fights MMA card at the Century Link Arena. His opponent will be Kellen VanCamp. We'll try to chat with Bryce in a couple of weeks.

SOME AMATEUR BOXING: Last weekend there was a Legends amateur boxing card in SLC. Some All Heart gym fighters competed. Kam Santiago of All Heart defeated Jose Hernandez of Louie's gym. Edgar Taracena of All Heart was defeated, do not have his opponent's name.