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Battle Tested, Only A Few Survive “The Proving Grounds”

Posted: June 28, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
Tags: #Glory, @BellatorMMA, Alfred Kashakyan, Andril Vasylenko, Anthony Perales, Bash Boxing, Casey Greene, Curtis Millender, CXF, David DUran, Dominick Clark, Emilio Chavez, Eric Johnson, Gary Michaelyan, Georgie Garcia, Glory Kickboxing, James Acosta, Leon Shahbazian, Lightsout Promotions, Mike Quintero, MMA, Paul Amaro, Proving Grounds, Rob Gooch, UFC

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Merriam-Webster defines the term ‘Proving Ground’ as “a place where things or people are tested or tried out for the first time.” The sport of Mixed martial arts in many ways needs a proving grounds. A place for pedigreed fighters to face other well rounded scrappers in matches that are crafted to test each participant. A place where each win is earned, a place where the wheat is separated from the chaff. This is the CXF: Proving Grounds

The first bout of the triple-headed main event featured 3x Bellator MMA veteran Curtis Millender and 7x Glory Kickboxing veteran Casey Greene in a 5 round fight for the vacant CXF Welterweight Title. The intriguing matchup of strikers did not disappoint.

Early on in the fight Millender began to lead the dance working well behind his jab. Starching the charging Greene with every advance before circling away without damage. In the second round, the blood began to flow as Millender’s trip hammer jab instigated a leak above the eye and the nose of Greene. However Greene kept charging, and seemed to get stronger as the fight wore on. Even after a Millender spinning heel kick sent him across the cage.

Battered, bloodied and down on the cards Greene came out in the fourth round a much different fighter. Perhaps sensing he needed a knockout, he stalked Millender who continued to score but more in retreat as he countered his aggressive opponent. In the fifth round the Saeksons Muay Thai product came out even more aggressive, winning the round on many scorecards however Millender’s early investments were at that point already safely in the bank, and he cruised to a unanimous decision win.

Curtis Millender defeats Casey Greene for the CXF Welterweight Title via Unanimous Decision

The second title fight of the evening featured Emilio Chavez and Dominic Clark in a lightweight showdown to crown the 155 lbs king of So Cal. However the excellent matchup quickly became a one sided affair.

After a short feeling out process, Clark was able to duck under a Chavez advance scoring with the takedown. Once horizontal, Clark scooted Chavez to the cage and patiently looked for his opening. Chavez did an excellent job defending, however a untimely transition attempted exposed his back and Clark transitioned in a flash, taking his back and sinking both hooks. After softening Chavez up with a few shots, Clark was able to thread his arm under the neck and secured the tap at 4:35 seconds of the very first round.

Not only did Dominick Clark end up with the CXF Lightweight Title, but during his post fight speech he dropped to a knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend, and she said yes! Congratulations to the Clarks!

Dominick Clark defeats Emilio Chavez for the CXF Lightweight Title via Submission (RNC) 4:25 Rd: 1

The final title fight of the evening saw Alfred Kashakyan defend his CXF Bantamweight strap against a very tough Anthony Perales normally a flyweight, Perales took the bantamweight title fight on short notice and in the champions backyard. The fight started out rather slow, with both opponents clearly respecting each others skills. But it wouldn’t take long for the crowd to be on there feet.

Perales tried to score with a takedown, however Kashakyan kept his footing and immediately went in pursuit of of his opponents chin. After a few brief exchange, Perales aggressively charged the champion missing with a combination who staggered the challenger with a left hook, right uppercut chaser that turned the lights out, leaving Perales unconsciously supine against the cage. The devastating knockout win should have Kashakyan on a short list of bantamweight prospects heading to the UFC.

Alfred Kashakyan defeats Anthony Perales Defending his CXF Bantamweight Title via KO (punches) :45 Rd: 1

The undercard:

Michael Quintero defeats Andril Vasylenko 3:28 Rd: 2 via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Leon Shahbazian defeats Eric Johnson 3:48 Rd: 1 via Submission (modified Guillotine)

James Acosta defeats David Duran 4:17 Rd: 2 via Knockout (punches)

Georgie Garcia defeats Gary Michaelyan 2:14 Rd: 1 via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Rob Gooch defeats Paul Amaro 1:17 Rd: 1 via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Joe ‘Stitch Em Up’ Schilling Star Shines Brightest at Bellator 131

Posted: November 16, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
Tags: Bellator 131, Bellator MMA, Bellator Nation, Glory Kickboxing, Joe Schilling, Melvin Manhoef, MMA, Scott Coker, The Yard

By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

If you have watched a Joe Schilling fight once your hooked. As a fight fanatic I find him to be the combat sports equivalent of heroine. Each fight leaves you craving another. His Glory days always satisfied my voracious habit, because I knew he was fighting at least three times that night! Schilling possesses tremendous skill but there is something else about the man that makes you love the fighter.

Making his transition back to mixed martial arts from kick boxing, Shilling changes his venue as well, from the ring to the cage. Welcoming him in his transition was Melvin Manhoef. A man who has made a career out of switching back and forth between disciplines. Manhoef came out hot and landed right away. Schilling appeared tentative at first, but weathered the first barrages from Manhoef.

Manhoef somehow brought the fight to the ground where he looked to drop some heavy fists. Schilling was very close to being stopped as several blows prompted the referee to move in close. However, Schilling survived by rolling through and closed his guard around Manhoef who could not seem to break posture.

The second frame began with both fighters trading back and forth. Then as if a switch were thrown, the lights went out and the fight was over. Schilling after eating a few punches appeared to tense up before unloading a IQ changing right hook that removed Manhoef from consciousness as he fell prone to the ground. Referee Mike Beltran dove in to prevent further damage but Schilling had already walked off, himself a witness too the big KO.

The win not only reestablishes Schilling as a mixed martial artist, it also comes at a very difficult time for the young father of two. Leading up to the fight, Schilling lost his father to cancer. A fighter to the end, Joe’s father found redemption in his son and pride in his forgiveness. The loss echoed Schillings thoughts leading up to the fight. As if that grief was not enough, Schillings cousin also passed away tragically before the fight.

Joe Schilling has a long way to go before establishing himself as a mixed martial artist. However he showcased in this fight a competent guard, and an understanding of how to neutralize his opponents attacks from the bottom. Granted Melvin Manhoef is not know for his grappling pedigree, still Schilling’s instincts got him out of a very tough situation.

In a night where many fighters put on their best efforts, Schilling’s star shined brighter than them all! He may be in the early stages of development but his star power is undeniable.