It’s easy- perhaps even a bit lazy- to compare the embattled MMA fighter Drew Fickett to the similarly troubled Scott Hall. In their primes, both men performed on their respective sport’s biggest stages against recognizable names. In Fickett’s case, this meant a run in the UFC and notable victories over Dennis Hallman, Kenny Florian, Josh Neer, Josh Koscheck and Kurt Pellegrino.
Yet it’s arguable that both men are more famous for their self-destructive, chaotic lifestyles outside of sport than they are for their accomplishments. Both men have well documented struggles with addiction, have been fired from major promotions over their drunken antics and have attempted to stay relevant in their respective sports with increasingly tragic results.
Case in point: Last night’s ShoFIGHT 20, which took place on the campus of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. The show was essentially a who’s who of washouts from bigger promotions, which included (aside from Fickett) John Gunderson, Karo Parisyan, Kendall Grove, Lyle Beerbohm, Marcus Aurelio, Charles Bennett, “Smilin’” Sam Alvey and Roli Delgado. This card saw Fickett matched up against submission specialist Jonatas Novaes.
Before the fight, MMAJunkie.com revealed that, aside from moving from Arizona to Florida to enter a rehabilitation facility and train at American Top Team, Fickett was in very real danger of becoming homeless if he did not receive a win bonus for his performance. And while Fickett walked to the cage with a sign proudly proclaiming his forty two days of sobriety, he did not last one minute into the fight. Fickett was caught with a head kick early and covered up until the referee stopped the fight.
As depressing of a result as this is for Drew Fickett’s 60th professional fight, “Night Rider” believes that he could retire with 100 fights under his belt.
In far less depressing news, John Gunderson quickly submitted Karo Parisyan by guillotine choke. After being taken down early by “The Heat”, Gunderson caught Parisyan with a huge left knee. Parisyan desperately dove in for a takedown, and was caught in the fight-ending guillotine for his efforts. Gunderson improves to 34-14, while Parisyan has lost four of his last five fights.
TUF 3 champion Kendall Grove won the ShoFIGHT middleweight title last night as well, earning a split-decision victory over the previously undefeated Derek Brunson. Brunson took the fight on only four days’ notice, as the original challenger, noted punching bag Terry Martin, was not cleared by the Missouri Office of Athletics to fight. Because of this, the bout was only three rounds, and at a catchweight of 190 pounds.
Grove was taken down often, yet remained busy from his back, attempting multiple submissions. When Grove landed an illegal upkick in the third round, the referee stood up the fight (?!), and Grove was able to pick apart Derek Brunson as the fight came to an end. Grove is now 15-10 with the victory.
Also of note, former Strikeforce lightweight Lyle Beerbohm battered and bloodied Marcus Aurelio on his way to a unanimous decision victory that all three judges saw 30-26. Aurelio was simply no match for “Fancy Pants” throughout the fight, being taken down at will and unable to threaten with any submission attempts. Beerbohm has now won three straight fights since being cut from Strikeforce.
Full Results:
Main Card:
John Gunderson def. Karo Parisyan by submission (guillotine choke), 2:04 of Round One
Kendall Grove def. Derek Brunson by split decision
Lyle Beerbohm def. Marcus Aurelio by unanimous decision
Mike Wessel def. Matt Kovacs by TKO (strikes), 4:50 of Round Two
Jonatas Novaes def. Drew Fickett by TKO (strikes), 0:51 seconds of Round One
Chris Greutzemacher def. Roli Delgado by TKO (elbows), 3:24 of round 3
Preliminary Card:
Sevak Magakian def. James Reese by unanimous decision
Chris McDaniel def. Charles Bennett by submission (triangle choke), 2:52 of Round One
Lucas Lopez def. Sam Alvey by TKO (strikes), 1:37 of Round One
Dustin Phillips def. Allen Gibson by unanimous decision
Matt Lucas def. Lucas Overcast by unanimous decision
Mike Brazzle def. Karen Darabedyan by TKO (strikes), 4:15 of Round One
Jacob Ritchie def. Robert Saborudden by TKO (strikes), 3:28 of Round Three
Jason Ignacek def. Gary Michaels via unanimous decision