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The Ice Berg KO’s Kruescher In Two!

Posted on: May 9, 2009

Posted in: Featured, Fight To Win, Video

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The National Western Stock Show Complex played host to Fight To Win’s Grand Prix tournament with another stacked fight card including an 8 man 145 lb professional tourney and 3 titles on the line.

In the Main Event, both Ian Berg and Ken Kreuscher made their pro debut and did not disappoint. With back and forth ground work and brief but powerful exchanges throughout the first round, the fight fans couldn’t wait for the second stanza.

Berg came out in the second with guns-a-blazin’ and landed 2 crushing right hands sending Kruescher to the canvas. Referee Eric Heinz was forced to call the stoppage at the 6 second mark with Berg being the winner by KO.

Jesse Henley and Nick Bushman were the last fight of the 8 man tourney. Bushman started early with the take down followed up with a tight guillotine.

Henley maintained his composure and continually worked to gain space around his neck. Bushman did not let up but it was Henley that came out on top in the mount position.

Bushman maintained his choke as Henley worked out and advanced to a choke of his own the arm triangle. At 1:25 of round 1 Henley declared the win and progressed into the next round of the tournament.

Vellore Caballero matched up with Nick Mamalis as another entry in the excitement. Both fighters showed themselves to be very composed as well as being well rounded with submissions and a very strong stand up.

Throughout the first stanza, both fighters showed their talent landing powerful strikes and keeping an active guard. Mamalis kept on the pressure, continuously moving forward with strikes and kicks keeping Caballero aware of his presence and Caballero would respond with powerful counters.

Round 2 started with Mamalis attacking with great accuracy along with precise movements and strikes. Caballer became overwhelmed by the powerful strikes and the ref stepped in for his safety in only 24 seconds.

Ron Muir and Ricky Johnson were in a 3 round battle with neither fighter finding the answer to finish their opponent and leaving it in the decision of the judges to declare the winner.

Muir came out with the unanimous decision to advance to the second round of the Grand Prix.

Joe Kelso matched up with Brett Roller for the final spot in the tourney. Round 1 both fighters were giving it their all with back and forth action from the clinch to the canvas.

Kelso initiated the first take down but Roller ended the first round of a fairly even match up on the back of Kelso working to lock in the RNC. Roller seemed to have gotten great advice from his corner during the break as he started the second with an instant take down to guillotine transition.

Kelso had no time to counter the perfectly placed submission and was forced to tap to the guillotine at 39 seconds of round two. Roller is moving on to complete the 4 winners that will advance to the next round of the Fight To Win Grand Prix.

Rory O’Farrell faced off against TJ Nunnalley for the 205 lb title. O’Farrell showed to be the aggressor and forced his game plan upon Nunnalley.

O’Farrell locked in a few submission attempts before finding the key, the head and arm choke.

At 2:19 of the first round. O’Farrell claimed the victory and became the new 205 Fight To Win champion.

Matt Simms maintained possession of his 155 lb amateur title as he defeated Tamboura Gerl. Simms showed he want this fight to go to the ground early and with good reason as he is well versed in submissions coming from an extraordinary BJJ school like Zinganos.

Gerl remained on the defense delivering what punishment that was available to him.

Round 2 was back to the canvas with Gerl receiving the take down wanting to give a little GNP. The delivery was short lived as Simms improved his position and pulled in the shin for the triangle choke at the52 second mark of the round .

Josiah Callis and JJ Mondragon put on an amazingly great show for all the fans in attendance. This fight will definitely be in the running for fight of the year come January, as both fighters left it all in the ring.

Both fighters showed why they were fighting for the 145 lb amateur title with a great display of MMA skills landing brutal knees and elbows from the clinch, punishing strikes during the stand up excitement, and countless submission attempts while on the canvas.

As the fighters battled till the finish, the crowed was going wild in anticipation of one fighter pulling out the finish at any moment. Callis left a better impression among the judges, as he was declared the victor of this exciting 3 round war!