Story by Fight Junky

Hoosier Fight Club 2 | The second day of the new year saw an enthusiastic and vocal crowd gathered at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond to witness Indiana’s first-ever fully-sanctioned professional MMA fight card. In an evening filled with stellar fights, marred only slightly by the unfortunate conduct of one particular fight camp, the freshly-sanctioned sport beamed brightly in the Hoosier state.

Delprado nears a TKO victory in Indiana's first sanctioned pro bout

History was made at precisely 8:30 p.m. local time, when referee Don Clift signaled the opening bell to kick off Indiana’s first sanctioned professional fight between Brandon Delprado and Mike “Brutal” Berry.  Unfortunately for “Brutal”, it was Delprado bringing the brutality to this fight, and Clift was forced to signal an end to the fight 3:17 into the first round as Delprado was obliterating an outclassed Berry with strikes from the back mount.

The main event of the evening matched well-traveled MMA headliners Keith Wisniewski (24-11-1) and Pete Spratt (21-15).  Former UFC fighter Spratt, who has fought some of the biggest names in the sport during his distinguished career, was cornered by Mr. International Shonie Carter, who calmly urged his fighter throughout the fight to “stay cerebral”.

However, Wisniewski, himself a veteran of UFC, Bodog and IFL, executed a perfect game plan against Spratt.  Spratt escaped from an initial

Wisniewski finishing Spratt

takedown by Wisniewski from an inside leg trip, but could not work out of Wisniewski’s second takedown.  Wisniewski softened up Spratt from the full mount, and the end came shortly thereafter when Spratt rolled and gave up his back.  Wisniewski scored a submission victory at 4:07 of the opening frame, by means of what was announced as a rear naked choke but looked much more like a neck crank.

In the co-main event, rising prospect Joe Benoit (10-2) stepped up in class to take on UFC and Bodog veteran Derrick Noble (25-12-1).  Experience paid big dividends for Noble, as he slickly disguised and then executed a guillotine choke that left his game opponent quickly tapping at 3:58 into the first round.

Hill and Kolosci pummel for an advantage

In an earlier professional bout, Strikeforce veteran and Ultimate Fighter Season Six alumnus John Kolosci (12-6) was pushed to the limit by MMA journeyman Bill Hill (17-20) before ekeing out a split decision victory (29-28, 27-30, 29-28).

“A test of times”

France & Lee exchange blows

In a match that unfortunately may provide an early test for Indiana’s new mixed martial arts sanctioning body, Rocky France (1-2) and his MMA Minded camp disgraced themselves in a bout with Chicago fighter Joshua Lee (2-6).

Referee Don Clift swiftly stops the fight following the devastating illegal blow

After already having been penalized for illegal strikes to the back of the head in the first round, France’s continuation of the illegal conduct in the second round laid out Lee for good.  During several frightening minutes in which Lee lay prone on the mat and audibly feared permanent injury, France and his corner showed no concern for Lee and instead disdainfully celebrated his disqualification loss as if it had been a victory.  Following a fight in which the Commission ultimately may have the last word, and a lengthy intermission while Lee was transported to the hospital, word eventually filtered back to cageside that Lee thankfully is expected to be OK.

Taylor puts the final touch to the win just before referee Don Clift steps in to stop the fight

In other professional action, Louis Taylor (3-0) absolutely flattened Curtis Bailey (4-4) for a decisive knockout victory just 33 seconds into the fight, and Bobby Reardanz (1-1) closed out Norm Alexander (13-8) with strikes from a mounted triangle for a TKO victory 3:12 into the second round.

In the amateur portion of the evening’s fight card:

After the first round, Wayne looks across the cage with determination in his eyes

A classy Nick Wayne (2-1) earned a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) over a very tough Jorge Gonzales (6-5) in what was on its own merits the fight of the night.In a first round that saw both fighters scrambling to defend submissions on the ground, Wayne prevailed by scoring some damage from back control to close the round.

Gonzales make one of several attempts at an armbar

Wayne also seemed to have a slight edge in the last two rounds that also saw back-and-forth ground action, although Gonzales appeared close to securing a heel hook at one point late in the third round that may have earned him that round from one of the judges.

Storey putting the finishing choke on House

Ryan Storey (5-1) notched an impressive victory over Terry House (4-0), forcing a submission via rear naked choke 2:35 into the second round.

Keith McNeely (5-0) demolished Clint Ifland (0-1), knocking Ifland out in just 12 seconds.

Finally, heavyweight Aaron Noel (3-0) scored a TKO victory 1:17 into the first round, as referee Jeff Malott was forced to step in to save Jason Johns (2-0).

Hoosier Fight Club 2 (HFC 2) — “It’s On!”