UNIFIED 7
Dannita Goulet
On a very cold March 4th, Unified 7 kicks off 2011’s Mixed Martial Arts season at Edmonton, Alberta’s Mirage Banquet Hall offering a stacked card with a debut, a hometown favorite a co-main event and a Welterweight title match for the Main Event. Here’s how the nights events took place.
Andrew Bard vs. Drew Weatherhead
Appearing confident backed by Shane “Shaolin” Campbell & Cody Krahn in his professional debut, Bard comes in quick with a distracting lower leg kick then shoots the double leg take down landing in guard. Bard plants his feet and stacks before slamming Drew Weatherhead down on the mat as he tries to wraps an arm for a guillotine. Another stack from Bard and Drew would work for the triangle before he is again slammed right back down then manages to escape. A quick exchange of knees and a successful take down lands Drew half in guard and he swiftly takes his opponents back seeking a rear naked choke… In defense, Bard spins into guard leaving Drew with an opening to secure the triangle, Bard lands a few shots before a scramble separates the two and they’re again at a standing position. Drew lands a combo and clearly not complying to the instructions of his corner to “Stay Standing!” Bard responds with a take down that lands him in full guard. Quick thinking Drew locks an arm bar and reefs hard which under any normal circumstances would earn the tap out. However, with the muscle elasticity comparable to that of Gumby’s, Bard refuses. Giving up the submission attempt Drew then moves to mount Bard feeding him a big blow before taking his back and securing a deep rear naked choke. The ten second warning sounds giving Bards corner a glimpse of hope but with only one second remaining in the first Bard has had enough giving Drew the submission.
Drew Weatherhead defeated Andrew Bard via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:59 of Round 1.
Adam Blackwell vs. Henry Rowsell
Wanting to be the aggressor, Adam comes in quick landing a leg kick before tieing up and bullying Henry against the cage to deliver some hard knees. While both working for the better position, the two end up on the opposite side of the cage. Back in control , Adam hits Henry with a set of knees and earns himself a double leg take down landing in side control, with Henry against the cage Adam works to land more big. Henry attempts an escapes but Adam secures a half guard position and rains down the right shots. Adam postures up and lands more big blows before taking his back trying for a rear naked. Henry spins leaving Adam with a high mount position. Adam lands massive shots and hard elbows on Henry who in defense again gives up his back. Adam still feeding big blows forces the referee to end the serving as Henry who can only eat so much.
Adam Blackwell defeated Henry Rowsell via TKO (Unanswered Blows) at 4:14 of Round 1.
Devon Jones vs. Brent Keryluke
The second match up of the night would have a confident Brent Keryluke coming in with a one-two followed up by a six strike combo, Devon Jones then looks for the take down but can only back Brent up against the cage. Still working, Devon takes a couple sharp elbows on his back and as Referee John Braak warns to “Watch the spine” Devon sees his opportunity to pick Brent up, slam him down and gain himself side control. A race to get back on their feet is won by Devon who celebrates by kneeing Brent as he continued to regain his footing. Once able to obtain a sturdy stance Brent lands a nice left and keeps swinging until a momentous miss causes him to lose his footing and slip. Once at a stand Brent connects with a combo answered by Devon with a body kick to which Brent smiles, Devon not thrilled by that looks to secure a take down against the cage but Brent escapes back to his feet. The two continue in “shot for shot”fashion until Brent misses a head kick thrown, compensating with a push kick and a set of rights that momentarily shakes Devon. Quick to come back from the hits, Devon ties up pushing Brent into the cage taking knees to the body in the process yet still continues to work the take down. Devon gets rubber guard on Brent who escapes to his feet and lands a leg kick before hopping on, striking a few times then taking Devons back to work for a rear naked for the remainder of the first round.
The second round starts with an exchange of strikes until Devon lands a mid-section kick, to answer back Brent throws but misses a head kick and shoots to land a single leg take down. Devon works to obtain full guard and finds himself being stacked as he then seeks the arm bar. Brent able to free the arm from the submission attempt, passes to half guard and briefly tries for a guillotine. Seeing he cannot submit Devon with this attempt he moves back into side control delivering strikes as Devon works for a triangle. Successful in defending, Brent tries for a Kimura but Devon takes his back and sinks in a rear naked squeezing tight as the bell sounds to end the round.
The third and final round begins as Devon lands a nice left and as if to mimic, Brent does the same. Brent pushes forward securing a take down that lands him on top and he quickly moves to side control where he appears to be looking for an “Americanna”. A short lived attempt before Brent lands a couple of elbow strikes on Devon then moves to take his back to work for the rear naked. A spin out from Devon leaves him mounted until the sweeps get himself a top position in half guard, after inching towards the cage and posturing up Devon would land a BIG left-right set of blows. Brent tries to get back on his feet but Devon takes his back and sinks in a rear naked working for the tap until the bell sounds ending the hard fought match up.
Devon Jones defeated Brent Keryluke via Majority Decision (29-28, 29-29, 29-28).
John Grant vs. Jared McComb
This match up starts off with the 0-1 Jarod McComb as the aggressor when he lands a quick jab and a set of leg kicks. Jarod then misses a head kick but quickly compensates when landing a body/leg kick combo. The 2-1 Jonny Grant finally deciding to take part lands a jab and ties up with Jarod before pushing him back into the cage. Jonny seeks a single leg take down to which Jarod defends as he sprawls sneaking in a body shot in the process. The adamant Jonny trips to get the take down but finds himself fully mounted so he’s quickly back on his feet only to be hit by a body kick and a trio of strikes. Jonny again ties up pushing towards the cage until Jarod Judo tosses him down landing with side control over Jonny whos Kimura attempt would be weak at best. Jarod regains guard and Jonny stands to stack but sooner gets launched off by Jarods feet who quickly stands back up. Jarod lands more leg kicks and feeds Jonny a nice right who responds by faking a left lower leg kick, connecting another then shoots for single leg take down that Jarod defended as the timer would tick on for the rounds last ten seconds.
Jarod opens the second round working on the visibly damaged leg of Jonny, landing more kicks and a nice straight punch prompts Jonny to try a single leg take down against the cage,successful in that he then lands in Jarods full guard. As both men appear gassed Jonny postures up landing a set of shots, Jarod keeps busy and closes guard which remains closed as he’s stacked still continuing to land shots from the bottom before kicking Jonny away. Jonny rushes to tie up momentarily and lands a big right on Jarods ribs before he again ties up, ignoring referee Vern Gormans instructions to “Get Busy” forces him to stand the men up. Jarod lands a heavy handed right before Jonny stubborn in his strategy pushes against the cage until the sound of the bell would put an end to the second.
The third round begins and the men both swing and miss before Jarod lands a slapping kick to the bright red leg of Jonny who then jumps with a Superman punch that missed only bringing him closer to Jarod who lands a quick combo before denying another take down and delivering a knee. Jarod hangs on with both under hooks and remains upright and the men are told to “Get busy”, following instruction Jarod gives shots to Jonny who despite eating a big left and an even bigger right still works to take Jarod down. Referee Vern Gorman stops the match which is thought to be due to a lack of action but turns out to be for the removal some adhesive from the shoulder of Jarod which was stuck from the last encounter with his cornermen. Given the okay to continue, Jarod lands big right kick taking a punch in the process, slaps a set of right kicks on Jonnys mid-section and tries for another but his leg is scooped by Jonny who tries and fails to take him down. Jarod continues landing more right leg kicks and it’s no surprise Jonny would shoot for a double leg take down, thats stuffed and Jonny lands clinched attempting to damage with clearly weak knees. Jared unaffected turns to his corner and asks “How much time?” and with no further action the men are again broken up and once reset both throw numerous shots with neither able to land any before the match ends.
Jared McComb defeated John Grant via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).
Scott Payne vs. Simon Shirt
At this point in the night the crowed is amped and the fifth match begins when Simon Shirt comes in with a flailing hay maker right, which Scott responds swiftly to when he offers a set of leg kicks. A stuffed take down attempt by Simon leaves them clinched against the cage briefly and they’d soon separate, not missing a beat Scott lands a slick one-two-kick-straight punch combo that a now damaged & bleeding from the nose Simon answers to with only an uppercut. Scott Payne sneaks a lower leg kick as Simon rushes in then ties up until Scott effortlessly trips him and lands with side control. Simon scrambles to work back to his feet taking a trio of kicks for his troubles, then rushes in, throws a right unable to connect and Scott secures a single leg take down. During decent Simon wraps an arm around Scotts neck and upon landing takes a flurry of short elbows but is somehow able to move to half guard, Simon continues to simultaneously work for either under hook as he delivers quick shots to Scotts body. Simon scrambles to find footing, posts and attempts to stand as Scott works a single leg slamming Simon down and generously donates elbows to the kidneys as if to suggest visible blood during urination is highly recommended and he’s doing him a favor. Simon tries to push off and buck out but Scott keeps the pressure on and from a half guard position rains down elbows, passes to mount where he can comfortably deliver the mix of short bows and heavy handed blows forcing Simon to defend until the bell sounds ending the first.
Scott, starts off the second in control as though the bell to end the first hadn’t rung, not missing a beat he lands a leg kick-punch-body kick that visibly pains Simon who in an effortless attempt to answer back, delivers a knee. Un-phased by Simons retort, Scott secures the take down landing in half guard. Simon wraps an arm working for a guillotine choke but with ease Scott retracts his head and makes his pass to side control where he continues to wear Simon down with hard elbows to the body. Scott moves to full mount and Simon tries to buck him off which only forces Scott to move to higher guard where he’d comfortably posture up and land a near dozen big shots. Simon spins giving up his back to Scott would capitalize landing more big blows. Simon escapes and struggles to stand but sooner learns the unique bitter flavor of “kneecap ala Payne”. Scott works to display his boxing ability then opts to show he’s also capable of delivering great ground & pound which is what he’d do until Referee J. Braak finally decides Simon has had enough then putting an end to the torture.
Scott Payne defeated Simon Shirt via TKO (Unanswered Blows) at 3:01 of Round 2.
Sheila Bird vs. Tanya Byrne
Sheilagh Bird, makes it clear she’d be the aggressor as she comes in fast with a big one-two, pushing Tanya Byrne back into the cage before securing double under hooks and in text book fashion picks up Tanya slamming her down on the mat landing in half guard. Sheilagh works the thigh of Tanya with heavy handed “Charlie Horses” and Tanya in defense lands a couple rights from below. Taking that as a cue to move to higher mount Sheilagh does just that and continues delivering blows to the head. Tanya sneaks in another right as if to ask for more, and Sheilagh complies by offering numerous short elbows topped with a few body shots. Sheilagh postures up and without missing a beat continues with her flurry of heavy shots down on Tanya who attempts to buck off the wildly aggressive BJJ Black Belt, Sheilagh as she would keep on her more than adequate ground and pound game until referee Vern Gorman would step in to end the wrath of which Tanya had succumb. The ecstatic Sheilagh would run a victory lap before stopping center cage to bust a move then greet her corner men, Nick Ring and Brad Cardinal.
Sheila Bird defeated Tanya Byrne via TKO (Unanswered Blows) at 3:51 of Round 1.
Tim Smith vs. Robert Curtis
Upon his entrance to the ring the very calm looking Robert Curtis enters the ring to pass the eagerly awaiting Tim “Shady” Smith as he runs a lap, reaching out to slaps the hand of “Shady” who slaps back and motions as if to bite him. A quick set of swings and kicks from both before Robert shoots in to take Tim down but fails to keep his chin down giving “Shady” just enough room to secure a guillotine in decent. With the choke clearly locked in tight but not tight enough for Tim, he reefs hard until Referee Tom Collins would adhere to the tapping out of Robert Curtis.
Tim Smith defeated Robert Curtis via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 0:32 of Round 1.
CO-MAIN EVENT:
Kurtis Higgins vs. Dan Chambers
“Unified 7″’s Co-Main Event has the very hungry Dan Chambers who’s not captured a “w” in more than two years, squaring off against a fast becoming fan favorite, hometown boy, Kurtis “The Hammer” Higgins. Dan Chambers hits hard on the undefeated in three Kurtis Higgins, and “The Hammer” is quick to respond with one of his own accompanied by a massive right body shot. Dan swings right then shoots for the take down and eats a couple of uppercuts in his efforts. Kurtis shakes him with a punch-knee combo and as he drops ends up in the full guard. Kurtis backs off, the two now back to their feet and swapping kicks. Dan shoots in for a single leg take down but is sooner finding hes caught in half guard defending a guillotine. Dan is able to slide his head free, he postures up and lands a knee to “The Hammers” body and precedes to rain down big rights one of which would knock Kurtis Higgins right out giving him his first loss on his record of wins, as Dan is reminded of just how sweet the taste of victory is.
Dan Chambers defeated Kurtis Higgins via KO (Strikes) at 1:57 of Round 1.
MAIN EVENT:
*Unified MMA Welterweight Title Match*
Travis Briere vs. Chase Maxwell
The nights main event starts with current Welterweight Champion Travis Brier defending his title against Chase “Red Dawg” Maxwell and he doesn’t waste any time coming forth with a quick one two. Chase ties up, offers a knee from clinch then pushes the champ into the cage where he has his take down attempt stuffed and takes a blow. Chase keeps at it and is finally able to get the take down landing with side control but crontol is short lived as Travis is up on his feet with an arm wrapped for a guillotine. Chase is able to escape still hanging onto his guard, quickly works a triangle until Travis frees his head, stacks and lands big blows still in the “Red Dawg”’s guard. Chase not minding the strikes takes notice of Travis ankle exposed quickly grabbing hold seeking an ankle lock, as if it were a piece of stuck toilet paper Travis flicks off the attempt and comes down with a heavy fist landing in half guard. Chase works to secure the over hooks and very smoothly moves to a full guard position before again looking for the triangle that Travis defends with punches until Chase transitions to arm bar, finds himself stacked protecting himself from the furry of elbows & strikes rained upon him. Unable to keep at work on the submission, Chase is forced to give up the arm bar, prompting Travis to move to a North/South position. As Chase attempts to stand Travis wraps up with a guillotine and holds tight while Chase looks for the single and lands it just as the bell sounds to end the first.
The start of the second has Chase wanting to be the aggressor as he clinches Travis pressing him back into the cage and lands a pair of knees. Travis wraps arm seeking a guillotine submission only to be denied as Chase pulls his head free just as he’s pushed off by Travis. Chase is able to land a stunning knee causing Travis to stammer back needing to plant a knee in search of a sturdy base. While down there Travis figures “Why not?” and shoots in for a single but is sooner caught in and defending a guillotine choke hold. Chase with a strategy of knees and good pressure would eventually earn himself the take down landing on the bottom in guard until Travis chooses to stack Chase giving a few knees to his thighs side and elbows to his kidneys until Chase decides to try getting a lock on a triangle but Travis with brute force picks him up off his feet and slams his back on the mat landing in full guard. Chase quickly checks the positioning for an arm bar then opts to transition to side control, then full mount. A beautiful sweep from Travis to the top in guard and he lands more crushing blows until Chase scrambles out and the two are at a stand. Still with good pressure, Travis bullies Chase back into the cage working the take down until the round would end.
Travis attempts to kick off the third but looses his footing and lands on his rear. Chase quick to take advantage, jumps to guard before taking Travis’ back seeking the rear naked choke. Travis rolls, spinning into guard and precedes to strike on with a nice mix of big elbows and a generous amount of punches working on both the face and body. Chase places a foot on Travis’ hip then switches his own hip outward trying to escape but Travis takes his back, denying him a back door escape and holds strong for the final seconds of the round.
Chase “The Red Dawg” attempts a high kick which is scooped up by Travis whos quick to push down landing himself in guard. Chase then looks to his corner for instruction and takes a big right to the kidneys. Travis continues to rain down the blows before he transitions to a North/South position then quickly settling back into guard. He hits with a few more Chase is able to get hold and display great wrist control as he again attempts a triangle that’s defended by Travis as he feeds Chase a few massive lefts, there’s a slight scramble and the two are back to their feet. Travis delivers a beautiful knee and Chase is able to lock a guillotine jumping to guard, Travis keeps good pressure with a few quick lefts, stacks him and switches to deliver some big rights before slamming him back down to eat more lefts. Chase spins giving his back and works to get back on his but Travis works some ground and pound on him until he’s saved by the bell.
Chase starts the fifth and final round landing a big right Travis is takes him down landing in full guard and as Chase again looks to his corner for instruction. Travis stacks and feeds Chase a right knocking his mouth guard out and causes him to lose the lock on his guard. Chase quickly pulls guard and again Travis would stand to stack landing more big elbows and shots until Vern Gorman would finally notice Chase without a mouth guard, he then puts a stop to the action so Chase could retrieve, rinse and replace the device. The men are reset with Travis back in full guard and as if there was no stoppage, he continues landing a flurry of body shots and hammer fists. The submission specialist Chase is focused on working the Kimura before Travis lands a massive right then takes his back, get his left leg hooked and seeks the rear naked. Chase spins in and makes a feeble attempt at sweeping but is only able to move from the half guard, eventually moving to full. Travis plants a big left to Chase and stands to stack but Chase pushes of his hips and from a standing position lands strikes until the bell would sound, putting an end the the nights main event, leaving this title match for the judges to decide as Victor Valimake and Gary Espinosa look on from his corner with anticipation.
Travis Briere defeated Chase Maxwell via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46) allowing him to remain the Unified Welterweight Champion.