Valor C Series 2: Results
On November 4th, 2012, Tasmania’s premier Mixed Martial Arts organization VALOR returned to Launceston and held its fourth event across a mere five months, with 700 enthusiastic Tasmanian fight fans gathering at the Action Packed Stadium in Newstead. Typically, a VALOR “C Series” event plays host to only amateur ruled contests, but for the first time, professional rules were showcased in a stacked 9 bout PRO/AM fight card that did not disappoint. With fighters representing academies from all across the state, including Launceston, Hobart, Burnie, Smithton and St. Helens, the jam packed crowd at the stadium formerly known as Elphin Sports Centre, were treated to one of the greatest and most memorable MMA events held in Tasmania to date!
In the opening bout of the afternoon, heavyweights collided for the first time in VALOR history, as a combined 220kg entered the cage. In what was to be frank, a lackluster affair with a bizarre ending, Jonathan Verhey verbally submitted in the second round, visibility exhausted, after being docked a point by referee Jason Green for striking opponent Ryan Monk when downed. This bout was of course fought under amateur C class rules, which means no striking is allowed to the head of a downed opponent what-so ever. In bout number two, debut fighter Brodie Dudman picked up Submission of the Day as he guillotine choked his adversary Jason Maluga unconscious in 60 seconds flat. Thankfully with VALOR's strict medical and safety precautions, Mixed Martial Arts Australasia officials and event doctor Ben Manion were quick on the scene to see that Maluga recovered quickly and walked from the cage by his own free will.
Contest number three was perhaps the most eventful of the day, for more than one reason. Martin Kerr of Hobart entered the cage oozing arrogance much to the delight of the Launceston crowd, as Burnie's Jeb Cornish entered calm and focused. As soon as the referee told both fighters to bring it, Kerr bull rushed Cornish, merely avoiding an uppercut that surely would have rendered him unconscious For much of the opening round, Kerr pressured with takedowns and control, avoiding Cornish's state level boxing skills at all costs, but it was Cornish whom had the last laugh however, finishing Kerr in spectacular fashion against the cage with strikes, inciting one of the loudest roars from a VALOR crowd heard to date. Moving onto fight four, the crowd hardly had caught their breath when Shaun Etchell unleashed a barrage of punches, knees and kicks toward Luke Hodgetts that most would have no withstood. All credit in the world goes to Hodgetts toughness, however female referee Adela Sakul literally had to lunge between Etchell's onslaught to save Hodgetts from further damage!
Moving onto the professional portion on the card, fan favorite Nick "Big Dawg" Boxhall delivered the greatest knockout in VALOR's short history, as he blew late replacement Ben Barrett (5 days notice) away with an uppercut heard stadium wide. Barrett was able to walk from the cage by his own accord, which is amazing and a credit to the fighter that he is, considering the shots he took upon the referee's stoppage. It was then time for Richard Jones and Jesse Gibbins, both fighters without a win in their two previous VALOR appearances. In under a minute, Gibbins had taken down Jones, mounted him, landed some heavy ground and pound and locked in a fight ending rear-naked choke, which meant its back to the drawing board for "Boof" Jones, whom is yet to feel victory in his three appearances to date. Semi Main Event time, with St. Helens MMA pioneer Nathan Vincent finally entering the VALOR cage after two unfortunate withdrawals at VALOR 1 and 2 earlier in the year. A tough welcoming waited him however, as VALOR mainstay Kyle Facey stared blankly across the cage from him. In what was a fight largely controlled by the more experienced Vincent in the grapple, Facey did show why he is feared among the Tasmanian MMA scene despite his lackluster record, displaying his trademark durability and striking arsenal. Half way through the third round, with Vincent looking viability the more fatigued of the two, he somehow forced the tap by way of arm-triangle choke, slowly putting Facey to sleep as he tapped.
Up until this point, you would be hard pressed to find any complaints with a $20 general admission ticket to this event. You had seen it all - from knockouts to submissions, slams and heavy ground and pound! One could have been forgiven to forget that the most hyped fight of all was still to take place, the main event and re-match between former school mates Cory Hearn and Damon Upton-Greer. Both fighters had fought against each other only two months earlier to a draw and now it was time to settle the score! Three action packed, back and forth rounds followed (Deja Vu anyone?), showcasing striking, takedowns, grappling, reversals, submission attempts - everything you could ask for from an MMA contest. Another to the wire decision and another tough call for the judges involved as you could have easily called it a draw and be done with it just like last time. In the end Cory Hearn was awarded the majority decision (one judge scored it a draw), as both fighters embraced center cage, both sharing a smile from ear to ear!
VALOR: C SERIES 2 was a success through and through, drumming home the fact that Tasmanian MMA is growing at a rapid rate and is here to stay! Luckily for Island fight fans, they will all be treated to it once again on December 8th LIVE from the Albert Hall, with 10 contests scheduled, featuring fighters representing Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland! Tickets on sale next week - stay tuned to the VALOR Facebook page for details.
ALL ACTION - NO AUCTIONS, NO INTERMISSIONS AND NO GIMMICKS!
OFFICIAL VALOR: C SERIES 2 RESULTS (NOV 4TH)
Date: November 4th, 2012
Venue: Action Packed Stadium
Presented By: Jackson Motor Company
Sanctioning By: Mixed Martial Arts Australasia
Jonathan VERHEY (104.9) v Ryan MONK (109.44)
Winner – MONK. TKO, Verbal Submission. 1:51, R2.
Referee: Jason GREEN
Brodie DUDMAN (76.18) v Jason MALUGA (72)
Winner – DUDMAN. Tech Sub (Guillotine), 1:00, R2.
Referee: Adela SAKUL
Jeb CORNISH (83.5) v Martin KERR (83.7)
Winner – CORNISH. TKO, Strikes. 2:13, R2.
Referee: Jason GREEN
Shaun ETCHELL (61.54) v Luke HODGETTS (61.22)
Winner – ETCHELL. TKO, Strikes. 1:51, R1.
Referee: Adela SAKUL
David BUTT (93.6) v Danny MONK (92.2)
Winner – BUTT. Sub, Guillotine Choke, 0:30, R2.
Referee: Jason GREEN
Ben BARRETT (78.86) v Nick BOXHALL (81.82)
Winner – BOXHALL. KO (Punch). 2:20, R1.
Referee: Adela SAKUL
Richard JONES (83.54) v Jesse GIBBINS (83.58)
Winner – GIBBINS. Sub, RNC. 0:54, R1.
Referee: Jason GREEN
Nathan VINCENT (76.72) v Kyle FACEY (76.72)
Winner – VINCENT. Sub, Arm Triangle. 1:12, R3.
Referee: Jason GREEN
Damon UPTON-GREER (76.42) v Cory HEARN (75.36)
Winner – HEARN. Majority Decision, 3:00, R3.
Referee: Jason GREEN
