Legends of Fighting Championship’s “Bad Dudes”

Legends of Fighting Championship 40 “Bad Dudes” took place at 8 Seconds Saloon in Indianapolis; this event featured 7 amateur bouts and 5 pro bouts. On the card were fighters such as Daniel Pitzulo, Jeremy “Lighting” Bolt, Jeremy  Jackson, Daniel Blackburn,  135 lb champ Zach Jenkins, and Victor O’Donnell from season 11 of the Ultimate Fighter just to name a few.

The first matchup saw James “the Squirrel” Maher vs Joey Holloway. James gained early control with a few good shots from his feet. Once on the ground Maher sunk in a quick rear-naked choke at 1:03 of round one.

The next bout featured Kyle “the Hoodlum” Hood vs Craig Hardman. Craig quickly gained a takedown but was met with resistance as Kyle reversed the position. However, Craig maintained excellent control from the bottom and attempted an armbar but Kyle quickly escaped this attempt. The action was brought back up the feet with Craig landed a solid body kick followed by a punch combination bringing both fighters to the ground. Craig assumed dominant position as he locked up a fight ending guillotine choke/KO 2:00 into the first round.

Fight three was between Kevin “the Bulldog” Groff and “Big” Mike Littleton. Both fighters danced around the cage for a while before they finally engaged. Both threw heavy leather before getting clinched against the cage with Groff eventually ended up on top of Littleton. Kevin rained down some heavy shots from inside the guard before Mike locked up a nice, finishing triangle which forced Groff to tap 1:49 into round 1. Both fighters showed great sportsmanship for each other before and after the fight was concluded.

Sportsmanship of the Night

Parsley encouraging Harris after the fight

The fourth fight of the evening saw Jesse “the Gladiator” Parsley take on Nicholas Harris. Parsley started the bout out with a quick overhand right followed by a tie-up between the two fighters. Harris took Jesse down and began landing some good shots until Jesse exhibited great bottom control, clinching Harris up while he was mounted. Parsley reversed the position and went for the rear-naked choke but Harris eluded the submission and both recovered back to their feet. Once back on their feet Jesse secured a takedown and threw some vicious ground and pound, Harris tapped due to strikes 2:45 into round 1. After the fight was over, Parsley’s genuine encouragement  to Harris wins him Sportsmanship of the Night.

The next fight was host to ATT fighter Jeremy “Knuckles” Jackson vs Seth Farris-Steen. This fight began with an early takedown attempt from Seth that was stuffed initially but Seth eventually gained top control. Jackson was busy working from the guard and quickly locked up and secured a tight triangle choke causing Seth to tap 1:05 into round 1.

Fight of the Night

Croom landing a solid Overhand Right

The sixth matchup Mtrig Gibson vs Ed Croom for the 205lb amateur title no doubt was fight of the night. As the action began Croom goes for an early takedown and gets it but can’t hold position and both grapple against the cage battling for control. Once separated Mtrig lands a powerful combo that drops Croom to the canvas. Gibson goes in for the finish but Croom shows good composure as he reverses the position and claims half guard. The action is brought back up to the feet after a stalemate on the ground. Dirty boxing from both fighters against the cage with Croom trying to get the single leg takedown, which he gets successfully. From his back Mtrig goes for an armbar attempt but Croom recognizes it and pulls his arm out and takes Gibson’s back, riding this position as the bell sounds to end the first round.

Gibson attempts an Armbar

The second round begins with Mtrig quickly throwing a head kick which is blocked followed by a powerful punch that tags Croom. They grapple against the cage and Croom lands an unintentional knee to the groin which stops the action momentarily. Action resumes, Mtrig lands a leg quick but is taken down once again by Croom. Active off his back Mtrig goes for a kimura attempt which Croom powers out of. Croom starts to turn it on from top position and tags Mtrig with multiple shots, some of which are blocked. Mtrig rolls onto his stomach and Croom gets takes his back sinking in a rear-naked choke. Although the choke appears deep, Mtrig calmly motions to the ref with a thumbs up that he is okay. He gets out of the choke but again finds himself on his back taking shots from Croom as the horn sounds ending the round. Neither fighter appears to be severely hurt going back to their corners but both look worn out from the back-and-forth battle.

Both fighters touch gloves acknowledging that they are in a war to start the final round. Croom goes for an early takedown which is stuffed at first but he eventually gains side control out of the scramble. More ground and pound from Croom and Mtrig eventually taps out 1:07 of round 3. The official result of this fight was tapout due to carotid choke. Both fighters embrace each other after a fantastic fight, Croom’s team, American Top Team and fans are going nuts as he calmly walks around the ring after the win. Easily fight of the night, great heart shown by both fighters.

Refree Don Clift stopped the bout

The seventh and final amateur bout featured another ATT fighter, Daniel Blackburn vs Jordan McDaniel. The fight begins with a very quick exchange between the two which ends in a takedown for Jordan. Blackburn quickly reverses this position and ends up getting the mounted position on McDaniel. McDaniel tries to turn out of it but Blackburn takes his back and sinks in the hooks. Daniel makes short work from here and rains down several unanswered shots and the fight is stopped 1:12 into round 1 via TKO due to strikes. McDaniel ‘s was laid out on the mat for several minutes after the stoppage but eventually got back to his feet and appeared to be okay, as Blackburn checked to ensure he was fine. Daniel Blackburn has some serious power for the 145lb weight class and is a definite force in this division moving his record to 6-0 after this impressive victory.

The first professional bout of the evening was between Marc “Pitbull” Bennett and Joe Neace who made his pro debut. Both fighters clinch up early and Marc goes for a standing guillotine attempt but Neace gets out only to be slammed to the mat with a great takedown. Neace is busy from his back and goes for an armbar attempt but Marc postures up and gets his arm free and retains half guard. Marc stands back up and Neace locks onto a solid kneebar with Bennett standing. Marc finally gets out with some vicious ground and pound knocking Neace out cold and waking him back up with a few more shots. The fight ends 1:41 of the first round due to strikes.

The next bout featured Mark Neville vs Daniel “PureBred” Pitzulo. Both fighters circle the ring cautiously waiting for the other fighter to make his move. As they engage Pitzulo gets the takedown secured. Neville shows good control on the bottom and his hips are very active. Daniel gets into side control on Neville, from this position he hops his leg over for the mount. From here he takes Neville’s back and sinks in a tight rear-naked choke and Mark is forced to tap. The fight ends due to rear-naked choke 2:07 into the first round. Both fighters embrace each other after the battle, two classy individuals right there.

Bolt_vs_Clark

Bolt checking Clarks kick & looks for an opening

The next pro fight was a rematch between Chris “Fireman” Clark and cage veteran Jeremy “Lighting” Bolt. Chris replaced George O’Dell in this fight on less than a day’s notice, props to him for stepping up. Both men touch gloves and Clark looks very spry on his feet as he circles around the ring trying to stay away from the power of Bolt. Clark lands a solid right leg kick and backs out and begins to circle again. Bolt appears to want to get inside on Clark but Chris is moving around well. Clark lands two more solid leg kicks on Bolt to open up the round. Jeremy finally gets his takedown and moves into side mount. Good ground battle as Bolt looks to get Chris’ back and finally does. He begins to throw some leather from the back of Clark and the fight is stopped due to strikes 3:13 of round 1.

Jenkins swings for the fences

The next pro bout feature Mark Neville’s brother Bryan Neville vs newly crowned 135lb LFC champion Zach “The Shadow” Jenkins with this fight being a non-title fight in the 155 lb division. Zach looks amped up and comes out in a fury right at Neville. Both fighters throw furious hands with Zach getting the better of the exchange. Zach knocks Neville down with strikes and unleashes some bombs and the fight is over quickly. The fight ends via tko :19 into round 1. Zach told CageCraze after the fight that he was told he was suspended indefinitely for tossing his mouthpiece. We will stay informed to any further implications from this as many fans are anxious to see “the Shadow” defend his belt soon at LFC.

The Main Event  Ron Carter vs Victor O’Donnell

Carter attempts to block O'Donnell's kickThe main event featured local pro Ron “the Savage” Carter vs The Ultimate Fighter season 11 contestant Victor O’Donnell. Both fighters touch gloves and they are looking to exchange with neither fighter committing at first. Lots of fakes thrown from Carter as he tries and gauge his range on the much shorter O’Donnell. O’Donnell buckles Carter with a right hand that sends him into the cage. Carter unintentionally knees O’Donnell in the groin and the action is briefly stopped. As the action resumes Victor lands another big right but Carter shrugs it off. Victor moves in for the takedown and quickly takes Carter’s back sinking in a rear-naked choke. The fight ends via rear-naked choke 1:58 into round 1. Both fighters acknowledge each other after the fight in a great show of class from both individuals.

The night saw a good night of fights with a large and excitable crowd. Legends of Fighting keeps getting big names into their shows thanks to matchmaker Dustin Howell. Legends of Fighting 41 is scheduled to take place at 8 Seconds Saloon on September 10th, come check out some great MMA action. LFC vet Sean McCorkle was interviewed regarding his upcoming fight at UFC 119 in Indianapolis. LFC is making a trend out of being a springboard  for fighters to get into the big shows such as Strikeforce, UFC, and BEllator just to name a few.

Quick Results:

Amateur Bouts:

James Maher defeated Joey Holloway in 1:03 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke

Craig Hardman defeated Kyle Hood in 2:00 of the 1st Round via Guillotine Choke / KO

Michael Littleton defeated Kevin Groff in 1:49 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to Triangle Choke

Jesse Parsley defeated Nicholas Harris in 2:45 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to strikes

Jermey Jackson defeated Seth Farris-Steen in 1:05 of the 1st Round via Triangle Choke

Ed Croom defeated Mtrig Gibson 1:07 of the 3rd Round via Tapout due to Corroded Choke

Daniel Blackburn defeated Jordan McDaniel in 1:12 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to Strikes

Professional Bouts:

(correction) Marc Bennett defeated Joe Neace  in 1:41 of the 1st Round via Tapout Due to Strikes

Daniel Pitzulo defeated Mark Neville in 2:07 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke

Jeremy Bolt defeated Chris Clark in 3:13 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to strikes

Zach Jenkins defeated Bryan Neville in 0:19 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to strikes

Zach was suspended indefinitely for  unsportsmanlike conduct (Throwing his mouthpiece in the crowd)

Main Event:

Victor O’Donnell defeated Ron Carter in 1:58 of the 1st Round via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke