Posts Tagged ‘Jaime Sierra’

UPC 18: ‘Up and Comers’ Champions Arise in the Desert

Posted: January 7, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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And Still......

And Still……

By: Jonathan King ‘The Clinch Report’

Photos By: John Walsh ‘The Clinch Report’

Not many are born into the UFC as professional fighters. Most rise through the regional rankings, fighting in front of half empty houses, and usually with very little that differentiates the scrap from a back yard brawl. UPC or “Up and Comers” is a promotion that offers the same grass roots level MMA, but with a much classier look and feel. 

The Agua Caliente Casino plays an amazing host, featuring a professional ‘in the round’ arena, that has stadium seating and atrium concessions, just like the big events in Las Vegas. Promoter Jason Weiner does an amazing job creating this environment, that really allows the fighter to feel like an athlete performing on a grand stage.

As a promoter, all one can do is set the stage, eventually though the fighters have to hold up their end. If you sign a contract to fight, the least you can do is show up! UPC  “Up and Comer’s 18”  was one of the oddest fight cards in recent memory. Only one fight went the distance, another ended early in the 2nd frame. All others, lasted less than 5 minutes. Among the winners were Jaime Sierra, Kyle Stewart, Chris Honeycutt, Everett Cummings, and Steven Swanson. 

Chris Honeycutt was able to defend his UPC Middleweight title while dominating his opponent throughout the first round. Although Jake Gallagher was able to defend at first, Honeycutt’s smothering attack and relentless pressure forced the TKO stoppage late in the first round. Honeycutt, now stands undefeated at 4-0, and continues to be one of the sports top young prospects.

The night, however belonged to TRU MMA. Although Troy Guerrero lost a close decision (to a very gritty David Lopez), Jaime Sierra and Steve Swanson were able to get the hometown crowd charged up, with exciting stoppages. Gareth De La Cruz, however was left without a fight, as his opponent never showed up. 

Also having a big night were the military fight team from Fight Club 29. Coach Mark Geletko’s marines had a great night, as both Kyle Stewart, and Marcus Baungard were able to secure dominating wins. Unfortunately, a few other fighters also lost their opportunity too fight, because again, opponents never showed up!

Not every card can be a memorable night of fights. The hurt business can be very unpredictable. Last second injuries, and replacements can mar a fight card and cause resentment with the fans. However, in this instance both the commission and the promoter were not too blame. This time unfortunately, unprofessional fighters are the reason. It comes down to being a man of your word. One can only imagine the opportunity that was taken from another deserving fighter.

By not showing up you disrespect the sport, the fans, your opponents, and the martial arts in general. 

 

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Up and Comers 18 Live From The Agua Caliente Casino

Posted: January 4, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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First Fight: Marcus Baungard v Levi O’Connell 135 lbs:

Rd 1: Brief exchange before Baungard lands a huge left right combo that drops O’Connell in a heap. Referee Maylan Ayers calls a stop too the bout.

Winner:Marcus Baungard via TKO Rd 1 :13

Second Fight: Jesse Basillio v Christian Santiago

Rd 1: Crafty hands from Santiago land several hard shots. Basilio able to take them and then reverses position on a takedown.  Both back to there feet. santiago rolls through and takes Basillio’s back. Choke looks deep as time is running out. Larry Landless sees the tap and halts the bout with only seconds remaining.!

Winner: Christian Santiago via RNC  1:49

Third Fight: David Lopez (1-0)  v Troy Guerrero (1-0)

Rd 1: Guerrero very loose with his hands, but Lopez staying tough and even lands a few of his own. Nice kicks from Guerrero but Lopez gets a leg and secures the take down. Lopez riding out the round in top position reigning down some serious Ground and Pound!

Rd 2: More aggression from Gerrero to start, and his takes down Lopez before letting him up. Nice combo before the clinch from Lopez, presses the action against the cage. Guerrero breaks free and lands a huge right hand.  Lopez hangs tough, and eats a few more hard shots from Guerrero. Lopez looks for a take down, but the round ends.

Rd 3: Busy legs from Guerrero, and a nice upper cut find there home.  Lopez leaking a little from his nose, as Guerrero gets the take down. Lopez looks for the neck, but Guerrero breaks free. Now looking for a leg, Lopez looking for the arm bar, but Guerrero roll through. Still has the arm, but Guerrero able to hold in until the bell.

Winner: David Lopez via UD (29-28) 

Fourth Fight: Chris Honeycutt v Jake Gallagher for 185 Lbs UPC Title

Rd 1: Deep leg kicks from Honeycutt, as Gallagher circles away. Honeycutt able to bring the fight to the mat, where he is able to obtain mount. Gallagher doing his best to stay alive, but punches are coming in bunches, and Larry Landless calls an end to the fight. Gallgher with the doctor for  prolonged period justifying a great stoppage by a veteran referee.

Winner: Chris ‘The Cutt’ Honeycutt via TKO Rd 1 and Still 185 lbs UPC Champion

Fifth Fight: Joe Cisneros v Everett Cummings

Rd 1: Nice take down from Cisneros as Cummings wraps up with the rubber guard, before closing the traditional guard. Nice roll through by Cummings, and he immediatley get an arm. Cisneros tries to break free but the tap comes quickly.

Winner: Everrett Cummings via Arm bar Submission And New UPC 205 Lbs Champion

Amateur Bout: Jeremy Barrett v Kyle Stewart

Rd 1: Kyle Stewart moving forward right away, a brief exchange leads to a clinch and Stewart tosses Barrett to the mat. Quick transition to the back from Stewart, and he pulls the RNC, forcing the tap/

Winner: Via RNC Kyle Stewart.

Fight Club 29: Mixed Martial Arts in Purest and Most Amazing Form

Posted: December 25, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Competition in its most basic form, exists simply, well,  because!  The desire to compete  does not require victory, or even decisions. As humans, it can’t be denied that in our nature is a fundamental desire too compete. Woven into the fabric of our being is the need to test our own skills against that of another.

Mixed martial arts offers a very pure form of competition that can satisfy that urge on a very raw, and basic level. Although it is cliche to compare fighting too warfare, as Josh Barnett once said, mixed martial arts is a ‘watered down’ version of combat. And although some people fight for the glory of having there hands raised, others find solace in competition alone.

Like fighters, soldiers are a different breed. They possess a different mind set, and the experience of warfare has offered some of them life lessons most of us cannot even imagine. The daily discipline, and regiment based life is not for everyone, and in many ways the daily goal based regimen resembles the training of a fighter in many ways.

At Fight Club 29 in 29 Palms California, head trainer Mark Geletko formed a fight team made up entirely of military members, mostly Marines and their immediate family members. Geletko, a  former  kick boxer with a strong boxing background first started the team as a way to stay in shape. “I started Fight Club 29 in 2005, when I first got returned from Iraq” Geletko said. Since then, the gym has seen a constant rotation of young men and woman, who are all at different stages of their military careers.

The reasons vary for those who choose to train at Fight Club  29 vary. “A lot of us, just need to stay busy!” Geletko said. “As military personnel, we all tend to be ‘Alpha’ personalities, but we are also very much team oriented.” Others train simply because they love to compete. “Fighting is a high level of competition, and a lot of these guys are just looking for the next challenge!” Galetko said.

Three fighters from the team are actually competing on January 4th at The Agua Caliente Casino, under the “Up and Comers” or “UPC” banner. Promoter Jason Weiner has been a constant friend to the Fight Club 29 Team, and is giving three of Galetko’s fighters an opportunity too shine on a grand scale. “Our guys love fighting for Jason, especially at Agua Caliente, they have huge dressing rooms, and always treat the fighters really well.”

Fighting on January 4th, are: Kyle Stewart 170 lbs  (4-1) who has completed 3 tours of duty, Justin Robinson Heavyweight (3-2) who is a fireman at 29 Palms and is also the current BATCH Fights Heavyweight Boxing Champion, and Omar Romero 185 lbs (3-0) who served in Iraq, and is a Purple Heart recipient. Ryan Donnelly (3-0) is not on the card, but is an Afghan vet who will be fighting for Cali Cage Wars.

“Currently we have about 12 guys, 8 are fighting in MMA.” Geletko said. “We even have one woman fighting for us, Kathryn Proudfoot (1-0) as a boxer.” Unfortunately, the military’s ever changing schedule only has each fighter averaging about 2 years of training, before they move on, or get out of the military. Its a transit fight club, but one that serves a very important purpose.

Unfortunately, recent military cuts have left the Fight Club 29 to rely on private donations. Currently companies like Oscar Mike, Dethrone Royalty, Bad Boy, and Ecko have helped out with clothing, but our soldiers deserve a lot more. For those interested in helping Fight Club 29 with either Gear, Equipment, or Financial support please contact MGeletko@yahoo.com.

UPC 18 will be taking place on January 4th. The card will feature 2 World Title fights, and Top MMA Prospects Chris Honeycutt, Steve Swanson, Everett Cummings, and Jaime Sierra will all be in action at The Agua Caliente Casino here is the link for details: https://www.facebook.com/events/552369111513557/

UPC-18-MMA-Poster

Cub Swanson’s “Beautiful Destruction” Philosophy Shows in The Desert

Posted: July 22, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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This video is owned by The Clinch Report, LLC all rights reserved.

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Before UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson dismantled Denis Siver at UFC 162, he told a reporter that he wanted to display “Beautiful destruction”, Swanson said. That is exactly the picture he painted. Siver was outmatched by the aggressive Swanson who seemed to consistently be in his opponents face. That athletic, intelligent form of aggression is something as a fighter Swanson thrives on. As a coach, and one of California’s best young developers of MMA talent, that is what he demands.

UPC Unlimited 16 at the Agua Caliente Resort and Spa, featured several of Swanson’s TRU MMA fighters.  Both Dionisio Ramirez and Jaime Sierra brought that consistent pressure and aggression that is eerily reminiscent of their coach. Ramirez landed a jab that sent his opponent staggering, and then like Swanson, Ramirez utilized unrelenting pressure to take his opponents back and secure the choke, early in the first frame.

Jaime Sierra also won in dominating fashion. Sierra utilized his tremendous wrestling skills to dominate position, and immediately had Alex Guitierez in trouble. Once he was able to posture up, Sierra unleashed a swarm of stinging ground and pound that forced the stoppage at just 1:18 of the opening round.

With Ramirez and Sierra making waves with the UPC unlimited organization, and with older brother Steve at (12-1 MMA) the future looks pretty bright for TRU MMA. With Swanson racking up wins in the UFC, the present looks pretty solid too!

All Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report