Yours truly for CageCraze.com was reporting LIVE on location from the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, KY as promoter Brandon “Hardrock” Higdon presented Hardrock MMA 26: The Return to Bowling Green. The last event here at the 19,500 square foot Grand Ballroom was a huge success and this event was no exception.

As the case often is for promoters, nothing’s ever easy. At the pre-fight rules meeting for tonight’s show, Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority Inspector Todd Neal announced that random drug testing would take place at this event. However, he gave every fighter an option. If you’d like, just don’t fight tonight, you won’t have to be tested, and there’d be no further repercussions. Over a half dozen fighters took the option. Thus the large 23 fight card was reduced to 13 fights. However, promoter Brandon “Hardrock” Higdon was not disappointed, telling me the biggest and best fights remained, and he was right, as the card did prove to be a winner.

A team was also a big winner tonight. Of special note was Bowling Green Beatdown, who had seven fighters on the card and went 6-1 throughout the night. I’ve seen fighters from BG Beatdown many times, and they always prove themselves as some of the toughest competitors of the area.

Mr. Higdon’s beautiful wife Vanessa (who apparently suffers from a severe form of vision deficiency by the looks of “Hardrock”) also wanted me to mention her outfit tonight as she was convinced my readers would be interested in what she was wearing. I’ll just say she was wearing a lovely dark and shiny dress which she herself described as “disco-esque”. Now on to the results!

1)      Josh Solomon (0-2) vs Bryce Owen (BG Beatdown)(0-0) 155lbs

Bryce Owen defeats Josh Solomon via TKO (ref stoppage due to strikes) 1:43 in of round one

Solomon takes Owen down early, but a reversal by Owen and he’s on top and in mount. Another reversal and Solomon is now in Owen’s guard. Owen wraps on a guillotine and uses it to sweep and again mounts Solomon. Solomon again tries to reverse him but Owen isn’t falling for anything this time. He postures up and starts to unleash as promoter/referee Brandon “Hardrock” Higdon calls a stop to the action. BG Beatdown is 1-0.

2)      Johnathan Dyer (1-1) vs Jimmy Koper (BG Beatdown)(0-0) 185lbs

Jimmy Koper defeats Johnathan Dyer via submission (leg triangle) in 2:02 of round one

Another BG Beatdown fighter and they are definetly the hometown favorites with the crowd really behind them. Dyer lands several large shots early but Koper somehow survives and tries for a double leg. Dyer utilizing a great sprawl. Back to the standup where it looks like Dyer has a good advantage. Koper looks to have recovered from the big early shots. He clinches and is able to get it to the ground, but Dyer lands on top in his guard. Koper’s guard is quite active and threatening though. He locks on a leg triangle but Dyer escapes and begins some ground and pound. Koper locks onto another leg triangle, this one much tighter, and its over. Koper survives a dangerous early storm to win by submission and BG Beatdown starts off the night 2-0.

3)      Justin Collett (Middlesboro MMA)(8-11) vs Michael Gay (3-7) 205lbs

Michael Gay defeats Justin Collett via submission (strikes) in :41 of round one

The men have an early exchange and Collett takes some big shots from Gay and decides to shoot in. Gay defends well and pushes off, throwing a hook, and Collett ducks, trips, and falls. Gay gets on top and starts brutalizing Collett for the finish.

4)      Mike Tomes (BG Beatdown)(0-0) vs Dustin Birge (Jhurilla Ronin MMA)(0-0) 145lbs

Mike Tomes defeats Dustin Birge via TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) in 2:04 of round one

Birge shoots in to grapple, trips Tomes, but is reversed and Tomes is on top. Birge slaps on an arm bar, but Tomes picks him up and and slams him hard to the delight of the audience. Tomes takes the mount and is unloading very well. Referee is taking a close look. Dirge is not giving up easily, trying to throw up his feet to get ahold of something. He seems calm but that’s not helping him get out of his predicament at the moment. Tomes starts throwing some shots, but not much mustard on them, though the ref is still keeping a close eye. Dirge tries to raise his hips and legs to sneak out the back door but to no avail. Tomer starts landing bigger and bigger shots and the ref steps in. BG Beatdown is 3-0.

5)      Jeremy Philpot (Middlesboro MMA)(13-15) vs Braedon Ward (Catch Wrestling MMA)(4-1) 155lbs

Jeremy Philpot defeats Braedon Ward via submission (guillotine choke) in 2:12 of round two

Round 1: Ward throws a lazy leg kick that gets caught and eats a few punches for the mistake. Furious exchanges early. Now Philpot has him against the cage. Reversed and now Ward trying for a takedown and gets it. He moves quickly to halfguard. Philpot tries to get back to guard and does so. However there’s a quick scramble and now Philpot is in Ward’s guard and is posturing high and landing good shots. Ward tries to take a leg for a kneebar or anklelock but doesn’t get it. Philpot moves to a north-south mount while Ward continues to work on his ankle. Philpot gets to his feet and the action is standing again. Philpot lands a beautiful head kick and ragdolls him to the ground and immediately gets into mount. He’s landing good shots and just when it looks like the ref is going to stop it, the bell sounds!

Round 2: Nice exchanges early. Kicks and punches flying, a tough chin on both these guys. Slugfest for the first minute. Philpot gets dazed twice but Ward can’t seal the deal. Philpot looks hurt but is bobbing and weaving and counterstriking well. Great fight, the audience is on the edge of their seat, including a nearby ringgirl, who I’d like to publically thank. The action slows, both men may have punched themselves out. Philpot with a good knee, but Ward answers with a clean hook. Ward tries for a takedown and gets it, ending up in Philpots guard. Philpot’s able to sweep and locks on a guillotine choke and it’s over. Great fight!

6)      Marlo Rhoades (Catch Wrestling MMA)(2-0) vs Tyler Young (BG Beatdown)(3-0) 155lbs

Tyler Young defeats Marlo Rhoades via submission (strikes) in round one

Another big ovation for BG Beatdown’s Tyler Young. Tyler’s striking looks good early. Superman punch lands and staggers Marlo. They clinch temporarily but decide to separate. Marlo lands a few strikes, which get less crowd reaction than Tyler’s misses. Tyler shoots in for a double leg and succeeds. Marlo gives up the mount and it isn’t looking good for him in this one. Tyler has him up against the cage and nowhere to go for Marlo. He spins but gives up his back. Tyler striking at will. Marlo continues to spin but Tyler continues to strike. The ref has seen enough and BG Beatdown is 4-0 on the night.

7)      Michael Smith (US Ju Jitsu)(2-2) vs Josh Phelps (Catch Wrestling MMA)(3-2) 170lbs

Josh Phelps defeates Michael Smith via submission (RNC) in 2:47 of round one

Good ovation for Phelps, moreso than the other Catch Wrestling teammates, and he looks different too. Big and built, bald and tatted up, and looks ready for war. And he starts off with a bang picking up Smith and slamming him hard. Smith able to reclaim halfguard though. Smith puts on a guillotine and is able to use it to wall walk back to his feet. He’s got a very tight standing guillotine on Phelps and his bald head is turning colors. Phelps tries for another big slam but Smith ties up his legs. Smith then complains of a low blow and the ref breaks them up. Gives time to Phelps to recover, as his head returns to its original color. Smith says he’s ready and we’re back to the action. Phelp goes in for a clinch and pushes Smith against the cage with double underhooks. He’s able to throw him down and get to sidemount, then moves to full mount. Smith is turning away and back again and bucking but nothing works. Phelps hangs on like a pro PBR cowboy and goes along for the ride. Phelps now starts to posture up and unload. Smith turns once more and gives up his back and Phelps slaps on the RNC. It’s over.

8)      Josh Walker(2-0)  vs Mike Garms (BG Beatdown)(1-0) 265lbs

Josh Walker defeats Mike Garms via TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) at 2:59 of round one

Big ovation for the big BG Beatdown heavyweight Mike Garms. He looks much larger and more muscular than his opponent so the favorite by the looks of things is Garms. Looks like BG Beatdown might be 5-0 after this one. Josh rushes in to clinch but Mike gets double underhooks, trips him, and falls into mount. Mike throwing big shots. Josh pushes a leg off and hangs on to it though trying for his own takedown. Mike tries for a guillotine as Josh pushes him against the fence. Josh unleashes some foot stomps, that’s a shot in the MMA drinking game. Josh backs off, tries swinging, but they clinch again. Now Mike is the one going for the leg and takedown. Josh sprawls though and Mike goes to his knees. Josh puts all his weight on him, obviously trying to wear the big man out. Mike turtles as Josh starts throwing some decent shots. Josh still pummeling and pummeling away and Mike is turtling and doing nothing about the damage he’s taking. Ref takes a closer and closer look and is warning Mike but still no action from Mike. Josh takes to his back and is landing bigger and bigger shots but still no movement from Mike. The ref steps in to stop it a second before the bell sounds in what was an upset for the crowd. BG Beatdown falls to 4-1.

9)       Deon Spaulding (Springfield MMA)(3-2) vs Brian Pinkston (Monster Squad)(0-1) 265lbs

Deon Spaulding defeats Brian Pinkston via submission (RNC) in round one

Deon lands a couple technical and well aimed shots early, goes for a single, and completes it. Pinkston quickly back to his feet but Deon still in control with a guillotine and is landing knees. Now he presses Pinkston against the fence, goes for a single again, and gets it again. He moves to side control then as he tries for knee-on-belly, loses his balance and a scramble ensues but ends with Deon being in side control again. Pinkston eventually turns and gives up his back for the RNC.

10)  Brandon Harrington (BG Beatdown) vs John Melton

Brandon Harrington defeats John Melton via KO in round one

I’m giving this one the Craziest Fight of the Night award, sponsored this week by batshit. John starts off the fight as any normal fighter would, running full speed, head down, clotheslining Harrington’s waist. Then John jumps on him, trying to pull guard. Brandon pushes him off however and John goes airborne and to the ground. However the split second John gets back to his feet, Brandon connects with a vicious punch and the lights go out for John momentarily, falling like dead weight. The ref jumps between them and calls it off. John protests and is back on his feet, but had very obviously suffered a flash knockout. BG Beatdown is 5-1.

Hardrock MMA Amateur Lightweight Title Fight:

11)  David Suter (4 Seasons)(5-1)(champion) vs Alvin Miller (US Jiu Jitsu)(2-0)(challenger)

David Suter defeats Alvin Miller via submission (RNC) in 1:17 of round three

Round 1: Both look like good strikers from the getgo. Good head movement and footwork by both. They exchange leg kicks. Miller tries a spinning back-something but Suter latches onto his back. A scramble and they’re back to their feet. Again they exchange leg kicks, a bit of a feeling out process going on. Suddenly I see the ref pick up something and the person next to me says, “What is that? A shoe?” And it WAS a shoe. It was the ref’s shoe. How he lost it I’m not sure but it got a chuckle from the crowd. Miller accidently gets a low bow and there’s a timeout. No surprise after all the leg kicks. During the timeout they also tape Miller’s gloves which apparently weren’t wrapped when they came out. They’re back to the action. Good looking swings and kicks by both men but nothing really landing. Miller tries for a flying knee but Suter latches again, takes him to the ground, and he’s in side control. Miller reverses and gets to his knees while Suter applies a guillotine. Suter lets go and switches to Miller’s back. Miller uses a two-on-one to keep Suter from doing much. Miller spins and is in Suter’s guard. Miller lands some clean, damaging shots. Suter throws his legs up for a triangle but the bell sounds.

Round 2: Accidental low blow early in round two, extending the one minute break between the action by a bit more. Back to the action, Miller tries a spinning back kick, Suter blocks, but Miller gets a double leg takedown. Miller in Suter’s guard now like the end of round one. Suter again tries throwing his legs up for a triangle but cant hang on. Miller eats a good upkick and Suter tries the triangle again, this time much tighter. Miller rolls and Suter switches to an armbar but can’t seal the deal. Scramble and now Suter is in Miller’s guard, their roles reversed. Miller has a threatening guard himself and throws up legs for triangle. It looks tight but Suter lifts and slams him twice, then goes north-south to get it released. Scrambles as the round comes to a close.

Round 3: Early clinch and trip and Suter lands in Miller’s half guard. Miller trying to scramble but Suter’s hips really working for him now. Suter advances to mount. Miller spins to escape but Suter latches on his back and gets the RNC for the tapout.

12)  Pro Bout:  JR Hines(1-9) vs Thomas Campbell(SSF)(0-1) 150lb

Thomas Campbell defeats JR Hines via submission (leg triangle) in 2:01 of round one

JR Hines comes out to the cage first, I believe he and Melvin Guillard may have the same barber. Early clinch but Hines has the advantage with double underhooks, pressing him against the cage, but unable to score a takedown. Hines now shoots for a leg instead and Campbell grabs ahold of his neck. They fall and Hines is in his half guard, but hasn’t fully escaped the guillotine yet. Campbell tries to get back to guard but the crafty veteran Hines is having none of it. Hines gets out of the guillotine and looks to posture, landing a few good shots. But Campbell throws up his legs for a triangle and has it cinched for the submission.

Hardrock MMA Amateur Middleweight Title:

13)    Kyle Pearson (Jhurilla MMA) vs Ashcon Karbasi (BG Beatdown(4-1)

Ashcon Karbasi defeats Kyle Pearson via TKO (referee stoppage due to strikes) in round one

Huge ovation for Karbasi as he makes his way to the ring. I fear a riot if the guy doesn’t win. Sponsor Fight Ribbon (great guys, check out FightRibbon.com) leads the entourage and helps get the crowd even more pumped. Both look anxious to get the fight going. Pearson throws a kick but its caught by Karbasi and Pearson eats a punch before being taken down to the delight of the crowd. Karbasi is in his guard, but passes one leg, then the other leg, and he has an early advantage in the mount position. Pearson is doing a good job of not letting Karbasi posture at first, but Karbasi gets free, postures, and starts unloading some bombs. He’s staying calm though and picking his places well, all the while keeping his position priority. Pearson starts again to keep him from posturing as much as Karbasi would like to, but Karbasi is happy for the time being landing small punches – body, body, head. Karbasi starts to smother Pearson and gets his posture up again and lands some vicious punches. Crowd starts going nuts. Karbasi landing bigger and better shots and the crowd expects a stoppage at any time… and get it. BG Beatdown goes 5-1 for the night. And a great ending to a very good show.

A special thank you to Brandon “Hardrock” Higdon and wife Vanessa for letting me and CageCraze.com be a part of their night. For details on upcoming shows, visit www.hardrockfight.com.