Colosseum Combat 19 XIX

 The event's coverage is brought to you by our friends and event sponsor's over at "Street Made." Be sure to head over to StreetMade.com and purchase yourself some top of the line apparel. Don't forget to "Like" them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter and Subscribe to them on Youtube!

Colosseum Combat 19, which featured UFC veteran Shamar Bailey in his first fight since his release from the UFC, took place this past Saturday, January 7, 2012, in Kokomo, Indiana.  The event had been ranked as the number one non-UFC fight card to watch by espn.com and the number two “tussles worth watching” by sherdog.com.  The card featured a number of up-and-coming fighters, as well as fight veterans including Bodog veteran (and Bailey’s opponent) Darrell Smith, James Porter, Cory Mahon, and Jacob Hurlock.  Mark Slater’s Colosseum Combat 19 lived up (and possibly surpassed) it’s “hype” as each fight rewarded fans with true wars in the cage.

Amateur Bouts:

Andrew Ferguson vs. Brandon Clawson

Clawson opens the fight with a kick in which Ferguson is able to avoid.  Clawson then throws a series of punches and forces Ferguson to the cage.  Both fighters rebound off of the cage and Ferguson attempts a Judo throw, but is unsuccessful.  Both fighters fall to the mat.  On the mat Clawson is able take Ferguson’s back and work for a rear naked choke. Despite Clawson’s efforts, Ferguson is able to escape and shift into a mounted position.  Clawson then works Ferguson back into his guard.  From his guard, Clawson attempts an armbar, but is slammed by Ferguson.  The two fighters then jockey for position which allows Ferguson to take Clawson’s back.  Ferguson then works a body triangle per advice from cornerman Dan Head.  After cinching in the body triangle, Ferguson works for a rear naked choke as the round nears an end.  With less than twenty seconds to go in round one Ferguson moves to a mounted position and attempts an “S” mount, but Clawson escapes as the bell sounds.

Clawson begins round two with a combination and an attempted front kick.  Ferguson responds with a right hand.  From here the fight moves to the ground with Ferguson taking Clawson’s back.  Clawson turtles, but Ferguson is still able to get both hooks in and begin to work for a submission.  This forces Clawson to abandon the turtle shell and attempt to escape.  Ferguson is able to withstand the attempted escape and cinch in a body triangle.  From here Ferguson works again for a rear naked choke.  Clawson is eventually able to escape, but only for a short time as Ferguson moves back to Clawson’s back.  Clawson then reverses Ferguson and the round ends with Clawson throwing shots to Ferguson’s body in Ferguson’s guard.

Ferguson begins round three throwing a right hook, but Clawson ducks the hook and hits a huge double leg slam.  Clawson then moves into Ferguson’s guard and begins to throw punches to Ferguson’s midsection.  As the fight moves against the cage, Ferguson begins to work rubber guard and creates space between the two fighters.  Clawson then steps away and motions Ferguson to stand up.  From here Ferguson lands a left kick that cuts Clawson.  Despite the cut, Clawson works Ferguson down to the ground.  Ferguson is then able to find his way back to his feet and lands a right that drops Clawson.  Even though cut and dazed Clawson still manages to only relinquish his guard to Ferguson as the round ends.

The judges award Andrew Ferguson the Unanimous Decision victory.

Tony Dryer vs. Justin Dearinger

Dearinger initiates contact with back-to-back leg kicks.  Dryer then returns fire with leg kicks of his own.  Dearinger then moves into a clinch.  From the clinch Dryer lands a knee to the body.  The two fighters then pummel against the cage.  Dryer then takes Dearinger down to the mat and begins to work from Dearinger’s guard.  Dearinger then begins to move his guard higher and higher until finally attempting a triangle choke.  This attempt allows Dryer just enough room to slide out and move to side mount.  The side mount is short lived as Dearinger moves Dryer back to full guard as the round ends.

Round two begins with both fighters trading punches before Dryer is able to hit a double leg takedown.  Dearinger then begins to work his high guard which allows Dryer to pass to side mount yet again.  Dryer eventually moves to full mount and begins setting up a keylock submission.  Round two ends as Dryer cranks the keylock and Dearinger refuses to submit.

Dearinger starts round three with a kick.  The two fighters then exchange punches.  Dryer then shoots, but is met by a sprawling Dearinger.  After avoiding the takedown, Dearinger pulls guard and transitions to an armbar, but realizes he does not have it enough and moves back to guard.  After a brief period of inactivity, referee Jeff Malott stands the fighters up.  Dryer and Dearinger begin to trade punches, but Dryer stops and shoots in for a successful double leg takedown.  While in Dearinger’s guard, Dryer begins to throw numerous body shots, but not enough to keep the fight on the ground as referee Jeff Malott stand the fighters up yet again.  From here Dryer is able to secure another double leg takedown which finishes the round.

The judges award Tony Dryer the Unanimous Decision victory.

Adam Gonzales vs. Jared Bailey

Bailey enters the cage wearing our affiliate, Street Made, mma shorts.  As the bells sounds, both fighters waste little time as they touch gloves and begin to throw hands.  Gonzales clinches and then the two separate.  Gonzales throws a leg kick which Bailey shrugs off.  Bailey then begins pressing forward landing a straight right that dropped Gonzales.  Bailey pounces on the wounded Gonzales, but winds up in his guard.  Bailey then worked to half-guard.  Gonzales attempted to roll forward, but Bailey met him with a guillotine.  This forces Gonzales to roll back to his previous position.  Despite his efforts, the guillotine proves to be inescapable and Gonzales is forced to verbally submit.  The submission gives Bailey the victory in the first round via modified guillotine.

Jacob Hurlock vs. Jonathon Cave

Hurlock begins the fight with a kick which forces Cave to press forward and move Hurlock into the cage.  Cave unable to do any damage against the cage pulls guard. From Cave’s guard Hurlock throws multiple shots to Cave’s body.  The shots force Cave to attempt a kimura, but to no avail.  Hurlock then continues to work Cave’s body forcing Cave to verbally submit.  The submission gives Hurlock the victory in the first round.

Nick Anderson vs. Patrick Ruby

Ruby rushes Anderson at the bell, lands a right, and follows it with a takedown.  From the ground, Ruby works to an omoplata and forces Anderson against the cage.  Anderson is able to work out  of the submission and move into half-guard.  While in Ruby’s half-guard, Anderson begins to throw punches to Ruby’s midsection.  The posturing of Anderson while throwing punches allows a small amount of space for Ruby to reverse Anderson and take his back.  From Anderson’s back, Ruby immediately locks a body triangle and looks for a rear naked choke.  Anderson is able to turn into Ruby, thus escaping the rear naked choke and begin to work his ground and pound.

Ruby begins the second round as he did the first, rushing Anderson and taking the fight to the mat.  Unfortunately for Ruby, Anderson is able to turn the tides and reverse Ruby to end up in Ruby’s guard.  From his guard, Ruby sits up and cinches in a deep guillotine.  With the submission intact, Ruby attempts to roll to a mounted guillotine, but Anderson is able to escape.  Ruby then sweeps Anderson and transitions directly into an armbar.  Anderson responds by stacking Ruby and throwing a right hand that lands flush with Ruby.  Anderson is then able to work to side mount and attempt an arm triangle.  He quickly abandons the attempt at Ruby moves him back to half-guard.  As the round ends, Anderson is raining down numerous unanswered shots.

Ruby yet again opens the round, but this time by throwing a series of punches that are ducked by Anderson.  While ducking the punches, Anderson is able to shoot and work for a takedown.  Ruby turtles and then rolls to half-guard to attempt to avoid any damage by Anderson.  While throwing a series of punches to Ruby’s body Anderson is able to catch Ruby moving and move to Ruby’s back.  Ruby is then able to roll forward with Anderson on his back and attempt a knee bar.  Anderson defends well and lands a right to Ruby’s face which forces Ruby abandon the knee bar, turtle, and move to get Anderson in his guard.  From his guard, Ruby attempts a guillotine, but is unsuccessful.  Round three ends with both fighters returning fire from Ruby’s guard.

The judges award Nick Anderson the Unanimous Decision victory.

Pro Bouts:

Terry House vs. Henry Goonen

Goonen begins the fight with a right while House charges.  Goonen is able to catch House after the right and turn him into the cage.  House is able to work out and move Goonen against the cage.  From the cage, House takes Goonen down.  Goonen attempts a sweep, but House has too solid of a base.  House then settles and begins to work hammerfists to Goonen’s body. Goonen returns fire and transitions to an armbar.  The submission attempt gives House enough space to move to side mount and begin to work elbows to Goonens body.  The round ends with House following his elbows with knees to the midsection of Goonen.

Goonen commences round two by throwing a series of punches that are ducked by House.  House then clinches and is met with a knee from Goonen.  House then hip tosses Goonen and take immediate side mount.  House then returns to the knees to the body that were successful in the first round.  Goonen attempts to roll out, but fighters end up in a North-South positions.  House then lands an elbow that makes Goonen move to half-guard and then full guard.  After a brief period of inactivity, referee Jeff Malott stands the fighters up.  House lands an inside leg kick and a right kick to the body as the round expires.

Round three begins just as round two began with House ducking punches and clinching with Goonen.  While in the clinch, House moves Goonen to the cage and works knees to Goonen’s inner thigh.  Goonen then pulls guard.  From Goonen’s guard, House moves to a crucifix position and throws a number of punches that land flush with Goonen’s face.  House then postures to attempt to finish Goonen, but Goonen refuses to give up and works House back to his full guard.  Thirty seconds passes with neither fighter advancing in position, so they are stood up once again.  Both fighters waste little time with the stand-up and look to finish the fight.  House clinches again and Goonen pulls guard.  The fight is then again stood back up and the two repeat what previously happened with House clinching and Goonen pulling guard.  The final round ends with House posturing and throwing punches down the middle.

The judges award Terry House the Unanimous Decision victory.

Atsuhiro Takano vs. Michael Shields

Takano begins the fight with two leg kicks, but misses with both attempts.  Shields responds with a 1,2 combination that rocks Takano.  Shields pounces on the buzzed Takano and attempts to control him, but Takano stands via a wizzer.  Shields then pushes Takano to the cage, picks him up, and slams him to the mat.  Unfortunately for Shields, he lands right into a triangle position for Takano.  Takano briefly releases the choke, but only to move and make the it that much tighter.  Shields attempts to escape, but to no avail.  Shields is forced to tap awarding Takano the first round submission victory.

Michael Eikenberry vs. Jason Wilson

Wilson comes out swinging, but is met with a huge right hand from Eikenberry.  Eikenberry follows by charging and pinning Wilson against the cage.  While against the cage, Wilson is able to toss Eikenberry to the ground.  The fight moves to Eikenberry’s guard where he immediately goes to work on submissions.  Eikenberrry moves to an armbar, but is slammed by Wilson.  Wilson then begins to work his ground and pound against the cage.  Eikenberry rolls and stands up while grabbing both of Wilson’s legs.  From here Eikenberry moves a mounted guillotine, but quickly abandons the attempt and begins throwing numerous punches.  Wilson attempts to move, but Eikenberry continues to throw unanswered punches.  The unanswered punches force referee Jeff Malott to call a halt to the bout, thus awarding Eikenberry the win.

Matthew Perry vs. Bobby Emmons

Perry is able to open the fight with a double leg takedown.  Perry keeps a hold of Emmons’ legs as the fight hits the ground and attempts to use this to move to side mount.  Emmons attempts a guillotine from this position, but this does not stop Perry from moving into side mount.  From here Emmons moves to work a reverse triangle.  Perry is able to withstand the submission attempt and move back to side mount.  Emmons works Perry back to half guard.  From Emmons’ half guard, Perry postures and lands a shot to Emmons.  Emmons then rolls to a knee bar/foot hold, but Perry again is able to work out of the submission attempt and moves to Emmons’ full guard.  Perry then throws a series of elbows and punches that make Emmons move his hips and attempt an armbar.  Perry escapes the armbar and moves to side mount.  As Perry moves to side mount, Emmons wraps Perry’s head and attempts to hold Perry steady.  A butterfly hook by Emmons keeps Perry from attempting a Von Flue choke.  Perry then moves back, postures, and throws more punches.  Emmons responds by rolling to another knee bar.  Perry is able to escape and moves to a mounted position.  The mount is short lived as Emmons is able to get Perry back in his full guard.  The two exchange blows and Emmons attempts a sweep, but is unsuccessful as round one ends.

Emmons commences round two with a jab.  Perry pushes Emmons away, creating distance, and shoots-in for a double leg.  Emmons sprawls, but Perry moves to side mount anyway.  Emmons then moves Perry back to his full guard.  Perry postures and throws punches which make Emmons attempt an armbar.  The armbar is unsuccessful as Perry stands out of it and returns with punches.  The two fighters exchange punches from Emmons’ guard with Perry getting the better of the two (via elbows).  Emmons then works a high guard and moves to a triangle choke attempt.  Perry is again able to escape Emmons’ relentless submission attack and winds up back in Emmons’ guard.  The two exchange briefly again and Emmons attempts to sit-up, but Perry forces him back down.  From his guard Emmons works elbows to the top of Perry’s head.  Perry returns the favor with elbows of his own.  As the round expires, Perry escapes another submission attempt, this time an armbar, from Emmons.

Emmons opens round three of this technical bout with a jab and a kick.  The kick is caught mid-shot by Perry and the fight is taken once again to the mat.  The two exchange elbows as they had in the previous rounds until Emmons works to another triangle choke.  Emmons throws elbows to Perry’s head while maintaining the hold and looks to roll to a mounted triangle.  Perry shows his resiliency and is able to work out of the triangle and into the butterfly guard of Emmons.  The two exchange yet again from Emmons’ guard as the fight nears an end.  Emmons attempts one more submission, but as he had all nigh Perry escapes.  The bout ends with the two exchanging from Emmons guard yet again.

The judges award Bobby Emmons the Unanimous Decision victory.

Cory Mahon vs. Brady Hovermale

Mahon begins the fight with a shot.  Hovermale is able to briefly hold his ground as the fight moves against the cage, but eventually succumbs to Mahon’s attempt.  Mahon is then able to move to Hovermale’s back and begin to work for a rear naked choke.  Mahon abandons the submission attempt to throw punches to Hovermale’s head.  This then gives Mahon a window of opportunity to sink in a rear naked choke.  Hovermale attempts to fight off the choke, but is eventually choked unconscious, thus giving Mahon the submission victory in round one.

James Porter vs. Carson Gainey

James Porter opens with a front kick, but slips and falls.  Gainey rushes the downed Porter, but Porter is quick to recover and shrimp to his guard.  Porter then rolls and stands pinning Gainey against the cage.  Gainey then sinks in a guillotine and pulls Porter to the mat.  Porter is able to work to Gainey’s other side and escape the guillotine.  The two jockey back and forth on the ground briefly which allows Porter to stand.  Gainey joins the standing Porter, but is met with a huge knee.  While throwing the knee, Porter again slips and lands with Gainey in his guard.  Porter begins to work rubber guard and transitions to an omoplata that catches Gainey off guard.  Gainey is able to power out and stands up from Porter.  Gainey looks for an opening, but falls back into Porters guard.  As the round ends, Porter rolls to an armbar, and switches to Gainey’s back.

Porter commences round two with a body kick.  Gainey then charges Porter and takes the fight to the mat.  From his back, Porter is able to work to a triangle choke.  Gainey attempts to slam Porter to escape, but is unsuccessful and is forced to tap.  The tapout gives James Porter the second round submission victory.

The Main Event

Shamar Bailey vs. Darrell Smith

Smith begins with a kick that misses.  Smith then charges Bailey, but Bailey is able to move out of the way.  Smith continues to press forward landing a kick to Bailey’s midsection.  As Bailey attempts to circle away from Smith, Smith cuts off his angle and connects with a short right.  Bailey then circles away from Smith again and lands a left high kick as Smith attempts an uppercut.  Bailey then forces Smith against the cage.  While against the cage, the two exchange punches and knees.  Smith then lands an elbow that cuts Bailey over the right eye.  The cut has no effect on Bailey as he continues to force Smith against the cage.  Eventually, Smith is able to turn the tides and force Bailey against the cage in his own corner.  As the round continues the fighters move to the clinch and work uppercuts and knees on one another.  The fighters finally separate as Smith attempts an uppercut.  Smith then follows the uppercut with a right kick to Bailey’s body.  Bailey then responds with a violent overhand left that drops Smith to the canvas.  Bailey wastes little time and charges the dazed Smith.  Bailey throws multiple shots that land flush to Smith’s face, but Smith remains cognizant is able to pull Bailey into half-guard (as Bailey attempts to mount).  Bailey then works to the full mount, but only for a brief moment as Smith shrimps and regains half-guard.  While in the half-guard, Bailey works shots to Smith’s body and Smith throws palm strikes.  Bailey then relinquishes full mount allowing Smith to sit forward.  From here Bailey attempts a guillotine choke with Smith pinned against the cage.  The round ends with Bailey continuing to work for the submission.

Smith opens round two with a front kick.  Smith then charges Bailey landing a right and a left straight as Bailey runs out of real estate and is forced against the fence.  Bailey then answers with a bull rush of his own taking Smith down to the mat.  Bailey lands in side mount and attempts to inflict damage upon Smith.  Smith is then able to position himself to attempt a reverse triangle choke, but Bailey slips away.  Bailey then works back to side mount with Smith throwing small shots from his back.  Smith is then able to work Bailey back into his guard.  This is short-lived as Bailey is able to move into half-guard and rain down punches and elbows.  These shots force Smith to sit-up which in turn enables Bailey to attempt a D’Arce choke.  Smith is able to withstand the choke and move back to having Bailey in his guard.  Bailey then continues to smother Smith and is able to roll into an arm-in guillotine.  Bailey then stands with guillotine and forces Smith against the fence.  Smith is able to escape and the round ends with the two pummeling for position against the cage.

Smith begins round three with a small front check kick and moves to a right high kick that connects with Bailey.  The round continues with both fighters exchanging kicks and punches.  Bailey then lands an overhand left.  Smith smiles and motions Bailey to keep coming.  Bailey responds with a thunderous double leg slam.  Bailey lands in side control, but Smith is quickly able to move back to his full guard.  Bailey then appears to reach back to break Smith’s guard, but snaps forward and lands a huge right hand to Smith’s head.  Bailey repeats this 3 more times which forces Smith to start shrimping attempting to escape.  Bailey then stands with Smith still on the ground and immediately falls back into Smith’s half-guard.  Bailey then sets up a D’Arce choke which forces Smith to tap.  The tapout gives Bailey the victory in the third round of the night’s main event.