THE CLINCH REPORT

By Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Karisa Winett (video) and John Walsh (photos)

UPC Unlimited returned to Fresno for an outdoor MMA event that left the fans extremely entertained in the hot dessert air. UPC 15 featured a unique blend of  amateur talent and young professionals trying to make a name for themselves in the blood and bruise business.

The hot air seemed to cool once the fighters took to the cage, as if the humidity itself was a spectator. After a few entertaining amateur fights, the pro fighters began their gladiator march to the steel circle.

Dethrone Base Camp was represented heavily and Geroge Zuniga (0-0) started the evening off with a dominating three round decision over Mike Ryan (0-0).  Zuniga utilized relentless pressure and  instigated the clinch often where he landed vicious knees in succession.

Continuing the Dethrone domination, Nick Bustamante made a successful pro debut, defeating Augy Garcia (1-4) via submission in round two. Bustamante was clearly the crisper fighter and was able to control the pace from the start.  He and fellow Dethrone Base Camp teammate Chris Honeycutt are two of the sports best young fighters.

Honeycutt (1-0) continued to raise the teams stock as he defeated Richard Blake (11-22) in the first round, via rear naked choke. Honeycutt was able to walk through a few kicks from Blake, landing a heavy superman punch before reverting to his pedigree and wrestling Blake to the mat. Once grounded, Blake was at the will of Honeycutt’s lightning fast transitions  and after a few rolls, and a failed arm-bar, Honeycutt secured the choke midway through the first round.

With the win Honeycutt has earned a UPC title shot in July at the next UPC event at the Agua Caliente casino.

The co-main event featured Tim Eastom (1-0) vs Tony Rios (3-2). The heavily favored Eastom started the fight in control and seemed to be cruising until an IQ-changing knee from Rios seemed to put Eastom on dream street. Once he realized Eastom was rocked, Rios transitioned to the back, where he secured a standing choke. Eastom valiantly resisted but eventually fell backwards as the choke took his air.

Although the loss is a setback, the knee that landed would have knocked out a polar bear.  You can be sure Eastom will be back stronger than ever.

The Main Event was as advertised. Two very talented, savvy veterans beat the living hell out of each other for three rounds. Billy Evangelista (11-2) took on a very game Zac Bucia (10-4) as both fighters made very loud statements about their fighting futures. Evangelista utilized superior movement and angled his striking well to counter the aggressive Bucia, who seemed hell bent on bringing the fight to the ground.  However it was the striking of Evangelista that won the debate, at least in the eyes of the cage side judges, as the score was unanimous for Evangelista.

UPC Unlimited seems to be growing exponentially, and for one very simple reason. They put a high value on the entertainment of the fight itself. Many regional promotions pretend to be the UFC or Bellator or worse yet, the second coming of Pride. Promoter Jason Weiner has ignored that failed model, and instead created a simple yet effective promotion that delivers big name fighters and big fights on a consistent basis.

For information on their next event go to: http://www.upcunlimited.com/