ACC Presents: ERA Fight Night
Dannita Goulet
The night of Friday December 3rd, 2010 is sure to be remembered by MMA fans, promoters & fighters alike. George Awada of the new promotion Awada Combat Club in association with Kamikaze Punishment & Aggression MMA presented fans with the first ever ERA Fight Night. The Maharaja Banquet Hall in Edmonton, Alberta proved to be a great and intimate venue for such an event and with only five fights on the finalized card, the night was pleasantly jammed packed with hard hitting action from the start right to the very end. The main event of the evening had two time World Muay Thai Champion Shane “Shaolin” Campbell getting just what he had ordered…a challenge. Three insane rounds and a split decision later it would be Detroit, Michigans Tony “Lionheart” Hervey to walk away defeated leaving the Muay Thai Champion/New Kru to chalk up the second “W” on his MMA record. “Fight of the Night” would undoubtedly be the main event which both men are surely deserving of for giving the most entertaining battle Edmonton had seen in a while. Fight Night wouldn’t have been the same without a “controversial call” being made and as per usual it definitely made things that much more interesting. Here’s how the nights events took place:
Rich Emary vs. Nolan Cairns
Kicking off the night is Rich Emary and hometown boy Nolan Cairns(backed by TFC Champion Mitch Clarke) both making their MMA debuts in a catch weight match of 180 lbs. Emary comes out as the aggressor faking a jab and landing a leg kick which prompts Cairns to close the distance with a take down attempt. Unsuccessful in that they tie up until Emary decides to scoop up and slam down to the mat landing with Cairns in his guard, forcing him to eat punches until Cairns manages to escape and the two return to standing position. Cairns almost immediately muscles him back down to the ground and takes his back looking for the rear naked. Seeing Emary has his chin tight to his chest Cairns releases and moves into side control while delivering hard lefts and rights. Cairns now has Emery in his guard not allowing him to posture up, he then moves back into side control before taking the advice of his corner to drive hard knees into the ribs. Emary bucks in attempt to escape the crucifix and Cairns pauses momentarily before looking for the Kimura, the submission is defended so he opts for and lands a set of hammer fists. Cairns, persistent with getting a submission again seeks a Kimura however this time Emary is able to roll, escape and get back to his feet. Cairns locks in a guillotine from a stand and eats a few knees in the process, he then drops down with hopes of taking his opponent with him but that doesn’t work in his favor and he’s hit with a left before Emary is able to pull his head out. The two men are again at a standing position and Cairns shoots for a single leg take down, Emary stuffs that and securing a guillotine of his own, he drops his weight to get Cairns in half guard still continuing to work for the submission. Nolan escapes and they’re again both back on their feet, Emary throws a punch kick combo from his left and Cairns shoots for another take down. Emary sprawls to defend which forces Cairns to pull him down on top to ending the first round.
Emery starts the second throwing a right knee but fails to keep his hands up taking a heavy handed punch as a consequence. Quick to answer back, Emary comes hard with a combo that ends with a swift, hard uppercut before forcing Cairns into the corner securing a takedown and landing in half guard. Cairns moves to side control landing a big elbow then transitions to mount, he postures up and moves back to side control where he looks for a Kimura but his leg steps through the ropes, the referee stops the fight and moves the action back to the center of the ring. Cairns transitions back to get butterfly guard on Emary who bucks up and sweeps to land on top in full guard. Cairns tries for an arm triangle but is unable and he flips himself attempting to secure the submission, a quick scramble then Emary pulls out of the arm triangle giving up the opposite arm to Cairns who secures an armbar forcing Emary to tap out. After winning, the purple belt in Jiu Jitsu says his “thank-you”’s and talks briefly about cutting weight for this fight, stating stating the process had really taken it’s toll on him. Lucky for him it wasn’t at all visible and he was still able to chalk up the “W” that every debuting fighter hopes for.
Nolan Cairns def. Rich Emary via Submission (Armbar) at 3:27 in Round 2.
Mark Burns vs. Justin Smethurst
Making the first move is Smethurst who fakes a jab and would find his attempt at a combo is cut short when the debuting Burns fiercely comes in with a quick & hard six punch flurry then presses the 0-1 Smethurst of Windsor, Ontario into the ropes. Burns tugs at the shorts of his opponent then secures a take down but is unable to keep it on the mat and the two are back on their feet. Smethurst first lands a straight then a hook that drops Cairns and he follows him down before locking up an arm bar attempt. Burns scrambles to avoid being caught in a submission and the persistent Smethurst tries on until Burns is able to free his arm then spin back into Smethursts guard. Smethurst with a guillotine choke attempt that was weak at best then Burns would swim to get his arms in proper position to push off and get up onto his feet. Once up Smethurst lands a jab prompting Burns to unleash another wild left-right-left combo. Smethurst ties up with Burns and despite taking uppercuts, knees and body shots he remains standing until seeing the “out” which he capitalizes on then sneaks around to take the back of Burns. The men fall to the mat where Smethurst tries for a rear naked choke while he simultaneously struggles to defend multiple right punches that Burns is blindly throwing his way. Smethurst continues to work for the submission until Burns finally spins into his guard and with little effort, stands back on his feet. Smethurst lands a left jab-right straight-left head kick-right straight combo before shooting in for a single leg take down. Once on the mat, Burns throws a right jab that Smethurst successfully dodges also giving up his back allowing Burns to sink in a rear naked choke, with only ten seconds left in the round Smethurst is unable to survive and taps out. After winning in his debut a very humble Mark Burns talks of his unmet expectations stating he hoped to defend a lot more kicks from the kick boxer. Burns then thanks his cousin for taking so many beatings in preparation for the debut and finishes with the mention that he only wants to hurry up and go eat some McDonalds because he is just that hungry.
Mark Burns def. Justin Smethurst via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:54 in Round 1.
Luke Harris vs. Ryan Ballingall
The third of five fights is set to begin with Ballingall running laps around the ring as Luke Harris enters with the Hayabusa dream team consisting of Jeff Montemurro, Roger Alves and Edmontons favorite conrner man, Keijiro. To start things off, Ballingall lands a left body kick followed by a combo and take down attempt which is defended by Harris who pushes him into the corner. Harris pulls Ballingall to the mat landing in half guard then quickly transitions to side control where he quickly locks up an inverted triangle forcing Ballingall to tap. Hayabusa Training Centers V.P. Luke Harris earns his 6th straight win (second since returning from a severe back injury) puting his MMA record at 6-1.
Luke Harris def. Ryan Ballingall via Submission (Inverted Triangle) at 1:12 in Round 1.
Mukai Maromo vs. Graham Spencer
The nights Co-Main Event would have the Canadian/North American Muay Thai Champion Mukai Maromo backed by a talented crew of corner men consisting of TCF Champ Mitch Clarke, Keenan “The Irish Pitbull” Feeny, Kru Alin Halmalgean and a fighter favorite Frank Lee’s Keijiro; squaring off against the 5-0 Graham Spencer of Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Not wasting any time, Spencer shoots in pushing Maromo to the corner, avoiding the take down Maromo gets the under hook then with his free hand lands a body shot. Now tied up in the clinch he demonstrates his Thai technique landing two rights then a left knee. On the ball is referee Andy Social who is quick to warn Maromo on keeping the knees “clean”, a somewhat distracted Maromo takes a bod shot but quickly answers back with more knees before slamming Spencer down to the mat. Spencer rolls and winds up in Mukai’s half guard, Maromo is able to sweep and land a few elbows before being swept by Spencer who takes side control then moves to a North/South position looking to secure a Kimura. Spencer lands a set of hard rights still trying for the submission that Maromo continues to defend and rolling out of taking a set of viscious blows from the heavy handed Spencer for his troubles. Maromo scrambles and avoids being submitted via Kimura prompting Spencer to look for the armbar, again Maromo manages to escape the submission and Spencer has now gained side control. Observing Maromo’s leg momentarily in the ropes, Spencer moves back in half guard then passes to side control before smoothly transitioning to fully mount Maromo. Spencer delivers a left, right, right, left combo of short elbows and Maromo nearly gives up his back and working to get back in guard Spencer ends the first round on top.
Round two begins and Spencer throws a right punch, unfortunately for him he would find himself taking a right leg kick before having a chance to land it. Maromos thrown head kick is denied by Spencer who successfully shoots in taking Maromo to the mat, Spencer lands in half guard working the body with punches and short elbows allowing the odd one hit the head of Maromo who returns numerous elbows from the bottom. Spencer with a pass moves to side control and pins Maromo’s in a crucifix and continues landing shots. Maromo frees his arm and looks to get back to his feet but Spencer manages to keep him down, Spencer then moves back into half guard and Maromo sneaks in a few more short elbows before he sweeps and gets back to his feet. His time in stance is short lived as he is unable to defend the double leg take down from Spencer who was quick to fully mount Maromo just before the bell sounded.
The final round starts with Spencer coming forward quickly then slowing right down once he eats a hard right from Maromo. Now rethinking his strategy Spencer shoots in and a ready Maromo sprawls to stuff the attempt, clinched up and still defending the take down, Maromo lands short bows and body shots before Spencer finally succeeds with the task at hand. Spencer scrambles to half guard taking more blows to the midsection and both men as if to be in agreement get back to their feet. Graham moves in, ties up, completes a take down landing in half guard and he swiftly passes to side control. Maromo tries to scramble away but Spencer remains heavy keeping him on the mat as he hammers down the rights. Spencer seeks a Kimura but releases and starts the transition to North/South position. As if to have a premonition of bad things to come he again changes his game plan and mounts his opponent. Maromo dishes up the elbows then sweeps trying for guard but Spencer counters with a sweep of his own. Spencer locks up the Kimura but releases at the sound of the ten second warning, now looking to score more points in what would clearly go to the judges, Spencer rains down the elbows and punches forcing Maromo to defend until the sound of the bell. The judges are unanimous in their decision of 30-27 for Spencer who would dedicate the victory to his late Father who had recently passed on.
Graham Spencer def. Mukai Maromo via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3).
Shane Campbell vs. Tony Hervey
The nights main event set for Catch weight at 160 lbs. would first have onlookers as well as referee Andy Social bopping their heads with obvious contentment as Tony “Lionheart” Hervey (looking quite the opposite) made his entrance to the Tag Teams throwback “Whoop There It Is”. The anxious “Lionheart” of Detroit, Michigan paces eagerly and the room goes quiet allowing a modern day version of “Forever Young” to set the scene. A moment of anticipation passes and the two time World Muay Thai Champion, Shane “SHAOLIN” Campbell makes his entrance backed by both the credited Kru Alin Halmalgean (Iron Tiger Muay Thai) & Master Roman Kim (Blue Dragon Combat).
Campbell starts aggressive with a right kick that former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion Tony “Lionheart” Hervey was almost able to dodge completely as it grazed his head. Aiming to be the aggressor of the match, Campbell throws a one-two missing both and immediately Hervey looks to take it to the mat. Successful with a double leg take down Hervey lands in Campbells guard against the ropes, Shane pushes Tonys head away to land elbows from the bottom which Hervey doesn’t appear to be phased by. A failed attempt by Hervey to pass guard and Campbell reaches for a rope but Referee Tom Collins is quick to make sure that doesn’t happen so Campbell continues to drops hard elbows on the back. He is warned to “watch the spine” and secures his left under hook prompting Hervey to plant a foot and slide out. Once free, Tony begins raining down with seven blows keeping Campbell in the corner as Shane again gets Hervey in his guard. A failed attempt to sweep keeps Campbell on his back as he continues with body shots and elbows checking at times for a kimura and a guillotine. Hervey postures up to get some shots in and as Campbell continues to stay busy from the bottom. Hervey lands one big right before the end of the round and once the bell sounds “Shaolin” puts his hands together as if to apologize but “Lionheart” is quick to return to his corner clearly unhappy with the first round happenings.
Hervey starts the second round seeking redemption as he lands a left inside leg kick that goes unanswered. A patient Campbell lands a right knee just to give a little sample of what he’s known for then swings a hard left that is unable to connect as Hervey shoots for the takedown. Campbell with a great sprawl is pushed into the corner and continues with elbows to Herveys back, moving to North/South position and still defending the single leg takedown attempt by Hervey who almost gives up his back but spins to land momentarily mounted before doing a roll to escape. Seeing Hervey is ready to up kick, a hesitant Campbell steps back allowing him to his feet. A quick test of reach from Campbell who then lands a left head kick, misses with a left and a one-two, he then fakes a punch and connects with a huge right knee putting Hervey in the ropes where he lands a bigger left knee. Timing couldn’t have been better for Hervey as he ducks barely avoiding a right kick and grabs hold of Campbells legs who still standing hammers down elbows and shots to the rear/mid-section of Hervey. Tony winds up with only his legs in the ring forcing Referee Tom Collins to stop the fight. As Campbell paces eagerly Hervey reluctantly remains crouched until being told to stand again. Campbell keeps the pressure on and Hervey throws a left leg kick simultanious to a right kick thrown by Shane who has his unintentionally hits Tony’s groin. Hervey takes the alloted five minutes and Campbell would still be deducted one point for the illegal, though unintentional blow. Another restart has Hervey hit hard in the mid-section by a massive right kick and immediately after a huge leg kick lands then he’s finally advised by his corner to start answering the blows. Campbells momentum from a missed superman punch allows Hervey to grab at his waist nearly throwing him through the ropes and the referee has the men reset again. Campbell with a clear display of athleticism jumps hard and fast with a flying knee that Hervey ducks under nearly sending Shane right over the ropes and the two are again told to stop. Another restart with Campbell throwing a one-two combo and Hervey attempting a takedown but only securing a clinch which allows the highly flexible Campbell to effortlessly knee him in the head, then twice to the body and then again the head. Campbell lands a few more blows before scooping Hervey up and dumping him to the mat on his back where he tries to defend himself from the strikes with elbows that don’t appear to be phasing Campbell who continues to strike the body repeatedly. Momentarily seeking a submission before letting Herveys arm go, Campbell lands punches until the end of the second round.
Hervey starts the final round as the aggressor with a jumping double knee that Campbell manages to dodge then steps back throwing a head kick as he regains his footing. A left inside leg kick from Hervey is quickly checked by Campbell who awaits Herveys next move. A sudden sprawl without any take down attempt has both onlookers and Campbell wondering what this unfamiliar strategy could entail… clearly intrigued Campbell remain still in his stance as Hervey jumps to front flip with a downward scissor kick managing to catch a leg on the shoulder of a ducking “Shaolin” giving Campbell a comfortable half guard position where he passes to full mount, takes the back of Hervey and opts for more G&P action until being pushed to the ropes by the defender. As Campbell tries to reset he sooner finds himself defending another take down attempt that would have him pretzeled in the ropes trying to lock in a guillotine. With only half of Campbell in the ring the referee stands the men up before allowing the match to continue. Campbell is quick to throw a spinning back kick to a shook Hervey who tries to tie up but eats a solid one-two-knee combo with Shane tossing in another set of knees for good measure. Hervey distracts Campbell with a knee, gets an arm around his neck and pulls a defending Campbell back to the mat. Blows from Campbell force Hervey to give up his back, take a trio of hammer fists then buck Campbell back into side control and the two exchange quick blows from their position before again getting tangled and stood up by the referee. Hervey has a spinning back heel to the head that’s blocked and answered back with a head kick that was also missed thanks to a “Spidey” like crouch. Hervey stands up as Campbell comes with a jab to test the distance then fakes another followed with a head kick, straight, fake and head kick before Hervey responds with a Superman punch not phasing Campbell who swings hard missing with an uppercut, left, right before the men tie up against the ropes to end the match. Judges would have Campbell even with the point deduction declared the winner by split decision, making an already good night a great one for the World Muay Thai Champ who’s Kru, Mr. Alin Halmalgean of Iron Tiger Muay Thai in Ontario had already given Shane Campbell his own title of Kru.
Shane Campbell def. Tony Hervey via Split Decision (29-27, 27-28, 29-26).