UNIVERSAL FIGHT ALLIANCE 11 "BATTLEFIELD"
Had to be one of the "best" UFA events to date. Quote from UFA promoter Steve Alley.
On Saturday April 14, 2012 the Fairgrounds Industrial Building in Casper, Wyoming was full of anticipation with what ended up being a 9 bout fight card with 2 titles on the line a nd 1 "super fight".
In the main event of the evening Frank Morris withstood several submission attempts and weathered a ground attack by Cameron Thurgood and finally got the submission victory in round 2 to capture the 1st ever Universal Fight Alliance Bantomweight mens professional MMA title. In Earlier action two men aged 47 and 49 respectively put on one of the greatest back and forth wars that any fan would have been happy to see. The fans loved it and it started what would set the bar for the entire evening of MMA action. This event had everything from young fighters to older fighters. Weights that started at 128 and went all the way to 211. Nearly every weight class in between. 3 rear naked choke victories. 1 decision. 3 bouts that went into the 3rd round. 1 knock out. Fighters that were winning handily only to be "caught" and go down to defeat.
Complete writie up to follow.
Universal Fight Alliance 10: St. Patrick’s Day MMA
Written by J.R. Gordon at www.MMABuzz.com
Saturday March 17, 2012 at the Red Lion hotel the Universal Fight Alliance held their 10th event, “St. Patrick’s Day MMA.” There were twelve fights on the card including three title matches and Colorado’s first ever Jr. lightweight professional MMA title.
Main event: Larry Williams vs. Alfredo Corona for the Universal Fight Alliance Jr. lightweight professional MMA title. The fighters worked in and out of the clinch early, then Williams got a takedown to work GNP until Corona scrambled to standing. Off of the cage Corona initiated a takedown but Williams ended on top and picked an ankle to take half mount. Williams worked to back control to work between GNP and RNC attempts. Corona turned in and scored a sweep to end the round working GNP from standing. In round two the fighters traded hard shots before clinching where Corona tried to set in a standing guillotine choke. Williams went for a scoop slam but Corona held head control and closed off the guillotine choke at :31 of round two to win the Universal Fight Alliance Jr. lightweight professional MMA title.
Josh Goldberger vs. Ken Scott in a 185 lb. professional fight. Goldberger landed an early right hand that dropped Scott. Goldberger followed his opponent to the mat and flurried with elbows to the head to get the TKO win at :32 of round one.
Kyle Gould vs. Brian Maronek for the Universal Fight Alliance middleweight MMA title. Off of the clinch Gould scored a takedown. Maronek worked for submissions but Gould defended and they went back the feet. Maronek secured head control and jumped to standing guard. Gould slammed him but Maronek held the choke tight to get the submission and win the Universal Fight Alliance middleweight title at :55 of round one.
Don Westman vs. Cameron Wallis. The fighters entered the clinch early and Westman set in a standing guillotine choke. Wallis turned out but Westman took standing back control which he used for a takedown. On the mat Westman secured position and worked GNP to get the TKO win at 1:00 of round one.
Charles Stage vs. Josh Augustine. Augustine came out firing hard leg kicks. Stage got a takedown but Augustine had head control and on the mat he closed his guard to get the guillotine choke submission victory at :55 of round one.
Leonard Ybarra vs. Bryce Thorstad. The fighters traded punches before Thorstad got a takedown. On the ground Thorstad worked strikes from half mount to get the TKO win at :35 of round one when his opponent tapped due to strikes.
Nick Mota vs. Cody Curtis for the Universal Fight Alliance bantamweight MMA title. Off of an early clinch Curtis got a takedown but Mota took back control then transitioned to the fight winning armbar to win the Universal Fight Alliance bantamweight title at :23 of round one.
Josh Thomas vs. Mackenzie Roquermore. From the outside Roquermore scored well with strikes including a head kick. Thomas scored a takedown and worked GNP that Thomas countered with submission attempts until the bell ended the round. Round two saw Thomas score well with a hard flurry of strikes to open before Roquermore took him to the mat. On the ground Roquermore worked for submissions off of his back while Roquermore used GNP to set up positional transitions. From side control Roquermore set in a D’Arce choke that he closed off for the win at 2:45 of round two.
Kenny Stone vs. Collin Hoelz. Stone worked kicks early then scored a takedown. Hoelz scrambled to standing but was taken down again. Hoelz set in a tight triangle but Stone picked him up and slammed him to escape. Stone passed to mount, then back control to try for an RNC that was defended until the bell ended the round. Round two began with Hoelz trapping a kick and Stone countered with a punch that dropped the fighters to the mat. Stone worked for position and ended in back control which he used to set up the fight winning armbar with the tapout coming at 1:21 of round two.
Jay Rea vs. Paul Valdez. The fighters traded very hard strikes before Valdez scored with a lateral drop. They scrambled to their feet and again traded hard strikes until Valdez scored a bodylock takedown. After working GNP Valdez let Rea stand and they clinched and worked hard punches and knees in the clinch. Off of the clinch Valdez signaled to the referee that he was injured and could not continue. Jay Rea scored the win at 2:12 of round one.
Kyle Enders vs. Verne Hassell. Enders took it to the mat immediately and worked to escape a guillotine choke. Hassell got back to standing once, but Enders took him down again, passed guard, took back control in a scramble and set in a RNC for the submission victory at 2:13 of round one.
Lee Vue vs. Dillon Bailey. The fighters exchanged standing before it went to the mat and Dillon had top position. Vue swept and worked GNP before letting Bailey stand and the fighters had even back and forth exchanges until the round ended. Round two had more even exchanges to start then Vue dropped Bailey with a punch and followed with GNP to get the TKO win at 1:05 of round two.
“Of The Night” moments:
Submission of the night goes to Nick Mota for his :23 fight ending title winning armbar.
KO/TKO of the night goes to Josh Goldberger for his :32 Co-main event TKO win.
Fight of the night goes to Larry Williams and Alfredo Corona for their exciting main event back and forth fight.
Thanks to all of the sponsors for making the event possible.
Be sure to check the site calendar for upcoming events.
Best in Health and Training,
J.R. Gordon
www.MMABuzz.com
Universal Fight Alliance 9:
Fight Club II Written by J.R. Gordon at www.MMABuzz.com
Saturday March 03, 2012 in Loveland the Universal Fight Alliance held their 9th event at the Phaze Night Club. On the card were nine fights including a professional main event. During the show Brian Zehler of Z’s gym was presented, for the third year in a row the Universal Fight Alliance’s award for Gym and Trainer of the year.
Main event: Nick Laney vs. Steven Lee in a professional fight. Lee almost immediately pressed Laney into the cage and dropped levels to pick an ankle. Laney secured head control and attained full guard. Lee stood to work an escape but Laney closed off the choke and got the win at :29 when Lee lost consciousness and the referee stopped the fight.
Co-Main event: Anthony Aguirre vs. Joey Munoz for the Universal Fight Alliance featherweight MMA title. The round started with Aguirre landing several solid flurries that visibly staggered Munoz. Munoz recovered and landed a stunning flurry of his own. Munoz got Aguirre against the cage and scored a big slam takedown to set up a round ending flurry of GNP. Round two had Munoz staggering Aguirre early but he recovered and landed solid punches of his own. Each separated then closed in several times to land damaging shots until Munoz landed a series of knees to the body then got a takedown and ended the round working GNP. Round three had the fighters exchanging well to start. Aguirre initiated a takedown but Munoz landed in his guard and spent the rest of the round working GNP while Aguirre switched between submission attempts and escape attempts until the bell ended the fight. The scorecards were read and the winner was Joey Munoz by unanimous decision.
Sasha Brown vs. Anthony Peairs. Round one was all fast paced action with both fighters striking well. Off of the clinch Peairs scored a takedown and spent the rest of the round working GNP and transitioning to varying positions trying to set up submissions. Round two had good striking from both with Peairs slipping to the mat throwing a kick. Brown landed a kick to the head of his downed opponent and there was a point deduction. On the restart Brown landed a head kick before being taken down. On the ground Peairs controlled position and landed very strong GNP until the bell ended the round. Round three had Brown opening with a head kick that Peairs took well and used to set up a takedown. On the ground Peairs controlled position and worked GNP while Brown looked for opportunities to escape. The fighters were stood due to a strike to the back of the head and on the restart Peairs again scored a takedown and worked to end the round with GNP. The socrecards were read and the winner by unanimous decision was Anthony Peairs.
Rory O’Farrell vs. Leonard Ybarra for the Universal Fight Alliance light-heavyweight MMA title. Almost immediately O’Farrell scored a slam takedown. On the mat O’Farrell escaped a guillotine attempt then set in a head and arm triangle choke. Ybarra escaped the submission and O’Farrell passed guard and worked knees to the body from side control before setting the fight ending, title winning America shoulder lock at 2:59 of round one.
Thomas Sandau vs. Eric Maestas. The hit the mat early with Maestas working GNP that Sandau countered with a sweep. Sandau secured back control to work strikes but the fighters were restarted standing after Sandau landed an accidental strike to the back of the head. After the restart Maestas got a takedown off of trapping a head kick and worked some GNP until Sandau scrambled back to standing. Off of the clinch Sandau scored a hip-toss takedown and on the ground he set up a Peruvian necktie to get the submission victory at 2:27 of round one.
Angel Smith vs. Aaron Harbour. Smith initiated the clinch early but Harbour was able to counter with a slam. On the mat Harbour worked to improve his position but Smith got to his knees, then his feet. While standing the fighters traded standing guillotine choke attempts before going to the mat again. On the ground each reversed the other and each threatened with submissions before they scrambled to standing. Smith clinched, got head control, fell back to guard and closed off the guillotine choke for the win at 1:51 of round one.
Beau Wilson vs. Jackson McCue. Wilson came across the cage fast throwing strikes that McCue answered in kind. Wilson dropped levels for a takedown and McCue set in a standing guillotine choke that he was able to close off for the win at :25 of round one.
Michael Bergman vs. Vince Lontine. Bergman sprinted across the cage to engage. Lontine stood his ground, countered with an overhand that dropped Bergman. Lontine went to the mat with his opponent, took full mount and worked strikes until Bergman tapped out giving Bergman the TKO win at :46 of round one.
Mike Uecker vs. Daniel Mendoza. The fighters came out swinging hard and flurrying non-stop with both fighters throwing punches intended to end the fight. Several times each hurt the other but finally Mendoza dropped Uecker, took full mount and flurried with GNP to get the TKO win at 1:27 of round one.
“Of The Night” moments:
Submission of the night goes to Thomas Sandau for his fight winning Peruvian necktie.
KO/TKO of the night goes to Vince Lontine for his fight winning GNP TKO.
Fight of the night goes to Anthony Aguirre and Joey Munoz for their three round back and forth fight that showcased the skill and heart of both and had the crowd cheering.
Thanks to all of the sponsors for making the event possible.
Be sure to check the site calendar for upcoming events.
Best in Health and Training,
J.R. Gordon
www.MMABuzz.com
Fight Club II Written by J.R. Gordon at www.MMABuzz.com
Saturday March 03, 2012 in Loveland the Universal Fight Alliance held their 9th event at the Phaze Night Club. On the card were nine fights including a professional main event. During the show Brian Zehler of Z’s gym was presented, for the third year in a row the Universal Fight Alliance’s award for Gym and Trainer of the year.
Main event: Nick Laney vs. Steven Lee in a professional fight. Lee almost immediately pressed Laney into the cage and dropped levels to pick an ankle. Laney secured head control and attained full guard. Lee stood to work an escape but Laney closed off the choke and got the win at :29 when Lee lost consciousness and the referee stopped the fight.
Co-Main event: Anthony Aguirre vs. Joey Munoz for the Universal Fight Alliance featherweight MMA title. The round started with Aguirre landing several solid flurries that visibly staggered Munoz. Munoz recovered and landed a stunning flurry of his own. Munoz got Aguirre against the cage and scored a big slam takedown to set up a round ending flurry of GNP. Round two had Munoz staggering Aguirre early but he recovered and landed solid punches of his own. Each separated then closed in several times to land damaging shots until Munoz landed a series of knees to the body then got a takedown and ended the round working GNP. Round three had the fighters exchanging well to start. Aguirre initiated a takedown but Munoz landed in his guard and spent the rest of the round working GNP while Aguirre switched between submission attempts and escape attempts until the bell ended the fight. The scorecards were read and the winner was Joey Munoz by unanimous decision.
Sasha Brown vs. Anthony Peairs. Round one was all fast paced action with both fighters striking well. Off of the clinch Peairs scored a takedown and spent the rest of the round working GNP and transitioning to varying positions trying to set up submissions. Round two had good striking from both with Peairs slipping to the mat throwing a kick. Brown landed a kick to the head of his downed opponent and there was a point deduction. On the restart Brown landed a head kick before being taken down. On the ground Peairs controlled position and landed very strong GNP until the bell ended the round. Round three had Brown opening with a head kick that Peairs took well and used to set up a takedown. On the ground Peairs controlled position and worked GNP while Brown looked for opportunities to escape. The fighters were stood due to a strike to the back of the head and on the restart Peairs again scored a takedown and worked to end the round with GNP. The socrecards were read and the winner by unanimous decision was Anthony Peairs.
Rory O’Farrell vs. Leonard Ybarra for the Universal Fight Alliance light-heavyweight MMA title. Almost immediately O’Farrell scored a slam takedown. On the mat O’Farrell escaped a guillotine attempt then set in a head and arm triangle choke. Ybarra escaped the submission and O’Farrell passed guard and worked knees to the body from side control before setting the fight ending, title winning America shoulder lock at 2:59 of round one.
Thomas Sandau vs. Eric Maestas. The hit the mat early with Maestas working GNP that Sandau countered with a sweep. Sandau secured back control to work strikes but the fighters were restarted standing after Sandau landed an accidental strike to the back of the head. After the restart Maestas got a takedown off of trapping a head kick and worked some GNP until Sandau scrambled back to standing. Off of the clinch Sandau scored a hip-toss takedown and on the ground he set up a Peruvian necktie to get the submission victory at 2:27 of round one.
Angel Smith vs. Aaron Harbour. Smith initiated the clinch early but Harbour was able to counter with a slam. On the mat Harbour worked to improve his position but Smith got to his knees, then his feet. While standing the fighters traded standing guillotine choke attempts before going to the mat again. On the ground each reversed the other and each threatened with submissions before they scrambled to standing. Smith clinched, got head control, fell back to guard and closed off the guillotine choke for the win at 1:51 of round one.
Beau Wilson vs. Jackson McCue. Wilson came across the cage fast throwing strikes that McCue answered in kind. Wilson dropped levels for a takedown and McCue set in a standing guillotine choke that he was able to close off for the win at :25 of round one.
Michael Bergman vs. Vince Lontine. Bergman sprinted across the cage to engage. Lontine stood his ground, countered with an overhand that dropped Bergman. Lontine went to the mat with his opponent, took full mount and worked strikes until Bergman tapped out giving Bergman the TKO win at :46 of round one.
Mike Uecker vs. Daniel Mendoza. The fighters came out swinging hard and flurrying non-stop with both fighters throwing punches intended to end the fight. Several times each hurt the other but finally Mendoza dropped Uecker, took full mount and flurried with GNP to get the TKO win at 1:27 of round one.
“Of The Night” moments:
Submission of the night goes to Thomas Sandau for his fight winning Peruvian necktie.
KO/TKO of the night goes to Vince Lontine for his fight winning GNP TKO.
Fight of the night goes to Anthony Aguirre and Joey Munoz for their three round back and forth fight that showcased the skill and heart of both and had the crowd cheering.
Thanks to all of the sponsors for making the event possible.
Be sure to check the site calendar for upcoming events.
Best in Health and Training,
J.R. Gordon
www.MMABuzz.com
UNIVERSAL FIGHT ALLIANCE 8
"WOMEN OF MMA"
Casper, Wyoming treated to history making MMA event. Women put on great show to packed house.
"WOMEN OF MMA"
Casper, Wyoming treated to history making MMA event. Women put on great show to packed house.
On Saturday February 18, 2012 the MMA fans of Casper, Wyoming and those within hours of the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds made the trip to see history in the "Cowboy State" with an all womens mixed martial arts fight card where there were 7 bouts which included 1 title bout and 1 professional contest. Fans came out and supported their favorite fighters and many attended just to see an event that featured only women in a sport that generally features mostly men. The women did not disappoint.
Margaret Bloom VS Crystal Pedraza
Universal Fight Alliance Bantomweight MMA Title.
In the main event of the evening Margaret Bloom who is the principal instructor and owner of Fight Syndicate in Casper, Wyoming would take on a tough fighter from Worland, Wyoming in Crystal Pedraza who had recently won in a prior UFA event. Bloom had been on a roll within the UFA and Kick Down MMA events having won her last 4 straight bouts including the Kick Down Womens Flyweight title which she captured in November of 2011. From the opening bell it would be Pedraza that would come across the cage to try and engage but Bloom landed a jab cross combination which was countered by Pedraza and they would clinch momentarily and break. Bloom landed a pair of side kicks which were effective and forced Pedraza to cirle to the fron of the cage where both fighters still standing exchanged blows. Margaret Bloom then landed a beautifully executed "ax kick" followed by leg kicks and Pedraza would continue to try and put pressure on Bloom. Then inthe clinch it would be Margaret Bloom that would get the take down and mount Pedraza and land strikes. The bell sounded to end what was an extremely exciting round. During the one minute break in action it was determined that Crystal Pedraza could not continue due to a leg injury.
Margaret Bloom is the new Universal Fight Alliance Bantomweight womens MMA champion.
Stephanie Skinner VS Britany Nipper
This professional bout was contested in the flyweight division and these two women came into the evening with a bit of "bad blood" for one another. Both were from Riverton, Wyoming but it was Stephanie Skineer that now resides in Denver,Colorado and is trained by Ben Schissler with Serial Boxe. Britany Nipper still a Riverton, Wyoming resident is an independent fighter. The bell sounds to begin the 3 x 5 minute contest and it is Nipper that comes across the cage firing uppercuts and followed it up with a big sweeping overhand hooking right hand-and she did it several times before Skinner would heed the advice of her corner and circle out of danger. Then it would repeat at least a couple of times including no less that 3 knees to the face of Skinner of which all but one were defended or simply taken. The first round was non stop action from the opening bell where it might have appeared to give Britany Nipper the edge on the judges score cards as the bell sounded to end round 1.
During the 1 minute break in between rounds it would have been interesting to hear what Ben Schissler said to his fighter Stephanie Skinner because when the bell sound to start round 2 she charged across the cage floor and landed strikes and put on a completely different display in the 2nd round than the first. Nipper to her credit would hang in there countering with the upper cut overhand right but it was the slick work of Skinner doing take downs and pushing the pace that got the crowd even more into the fight than they were in the opening round. The two fighters stood in the center of the UFA cage when Stephanie Skinner landed a beautifully place head kick which landed right on the jaw line of Nipper. Shortly thereafter the fight went to the ground and it was there that Skinner put to gether a flurry while in the mount and referee Tim Cotton step in and stopped the action. Stephanie Skinner wins at 4:36 of round 2 by referee stoppage due to strikes.
Baylee Antijunti VS Staci Vega
Some that are closest to the sport of MMA can reflect on the fact that if you are close to the promoter you can hear numerous stories on "strange happenings" surrounding any event and UFA 8 was no exception. All women were given pregnancy tests (14 of them in this case) and all but 1 were negative. Staci Vega was scheduled to fight Megan Bennett but it would be Bennett that would test positive. In anticipation that there might be an issue with keeping the card together the promoter had an alternate from South Dakota named Baylee Antijunti on the card and she came to the event with the other 2 women that fought out of Rapid City, South Dakota. The change in opponents was confirmed by Staci Vega who was eager to fight on the all womens fight card. When the bell rang to start round 1 it was clear to see that Baylee Antijunti was considerably larger in staure than Staci Vega. With a near 5 inch height and reach advantage it would be Anijunti that would take Vega to the ground and keep her there for most of round one where she had a solid rear naked choke in on 2 separate occasions and Vega would weather the storm and get out of one RNC and then a side choke only to make it to the end of round 1. Baylee Antijunti clearly won round 1 with size and a smothering offensive that had Vega on her back or side most of the round.
Staci Vega returned to her corner at the conclusion of round 1 and confirmed she was "good" with her people and then the second round began and it would be Vega that would land strikes standing and Antijunti would again take her to the ground but this time Vega found a way to turn Antijunti and would land several strikes as they were at the front part of the cage with nowhere for Antijunti to go. The crowd was going wild at the momentum change and at the time Staci Vega took the back of her opponent and it was there that she set in the fight ending rear naked choke for the victory. With all of the things that could have gone wrong for Vega and to stay in the fight after being controlled for the majority of it-she showed what heart and determination are all about. More than that she earned her 1st victory in MMA in front of her home crowd.
Staci Vega wins by Rear Naked Choke at 1:31 of Round 2
KATIE MOERKE VS LARESSA PETERSON
Katie Moerke was one of 3 fighters representing the Fight Syndicate on the evenings fight card and making her debut she would face Laressa Peterson from Rapid City, South Dakota. When the bell sounded to start of the both fighters nervously tried to gauge their distance until Moerke took the fight to the ground. There it would be Moerke that would work on Peterson and get to the side then transition to an arm bar attempt give up on it and then re-position herself and sink in the fight ending arm bar just 1:05 into round 1. It should be noted that
Moerke and her team mates all competed at the F2W grappling tournament the week prior and then fought on this card. Look for Moerke and Peterson to have a solid future in MMA.
Katie Moerke wins by Arm Bar at 1:05 of round 1.
ALI KISTLER VS CASSIE ROBB
This would be contested at a weight of 105-110. Ali Kistler came in as a debut fighter and trained by her Father Shawn Kistler a former Kick Down MMA fighter. Cassie Robb who entered the arena 1-1 on Saturday evening had never lost in Casper. The bell sounded to start round one and it would be the smaller in staure Kistler that would land some solid leg kicks and exchange before Cassie Robb took her to the ground. Working from the guard of Robb Kistler immediately tried to escape a triangle choke attempt by stacking her opponent but it would be Cassie Robb that would cinch up the fight ending traingle choke at 40 seconds of the 1st round.
Cassie Robb wins at :40 of round 1 by Triangle Choke.
Lavida Givan VS Kelly Heisler
Lavida Givan came into the contest making her MMA debut after having some severe misfortune in prior events where her opponent backed out the week of the fight or even at the weigh ins. 7 in total. Enter Kelly Heisler who was one of the 3 fighters that made the trip from Rapid City, South Dakota to compete on the historic night it was. Both fighters opened with exchanges standing but it would be Lavida Givan that would throw a pair of leg kicks and circle out then throw straight punches to the face of her opponent then catch Heisler with a mid section round kick that must have taken the wind out of her and followed by a charge across the cage where Heisler was motionless. The fight was stopped. In a gallant effort and fast action Kelly Heisler did what she could but it was the striking prowess of Givan that would walk away victorious.
Lavida Givan wins by KO at 1:29 of round 1.
Haelle Smith VS Taylor Munsell
This bout would be contested in the middleweight class between the two yougest fighters on the fight card. The bell sounded to start the bout and both fighters exchanged blows and immediately Halle Smith would come in and take Munsell to the ground. Turtled over it would be Munsell that would try to maintain her senses while Smith threw punches to the ribs and mid section of Munsells body. Taylor tried to get up and out and it worked momentarily but then Smith put together a flurrly od punches to set up the rear naked choke which she landed to secure victory.
Haelle Smith wins by Rear Naked Choke at 1:06 of Round 1.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT WILL BE SHARED BY STEPHANIE SKINNER VS BRITANY NIPPER for their great battle going back and forth in a war that put an exclamation mark on the fact that women belong in the sport. STACI VEGA and BAYLEE ANTIJUNTI. Staci Vega showed enormous heart and Antijunti determination by just getting in there under circumstances that were different to say the least.
TECHNIQUE OF UFA 8.....MARGARET BLOOM FOR HER BEAUTIFUL "AXE KICK" that set the table for everything she threw at her tough opponent from that point on.
Submission of the night......Katie Moerke for her transition from Arm Bar to re-position then get the Arm Bar.
New fighters to watch Haelle Smith........strong, young, good on the ground. Ali Kistler........good striker and will do much better when she faces someone her size and style. Katie Moerke......the complete package that any promotion would look for. Technique, range, personality, looks.
Thanks to the "Women of MMA' that made this event a huge success!
Margaret Bloom VS Crystal Pedraza
Universal Fight Alliance Bantomweight MMA Title.
In the main event of the evening Margaret Bloom who is the principal instructor and owner of Fight Syndicate in Casper, Wyoming would take on a tough fighter from Worland, Wyoming in Crystal Pedraza who had recently won in a prior UFA event. Bloom had been on a roll within the UFA and Kick Down MMA events having won her last 4 straight bouts including the Kick Down Womens Flyweight title which she captured in November of 2011. From the opening bell it would be Pedraza that would come across the cage to try and engage but Bloom landed a jab cross combination which was countered by Pedraza and they would clinch momentarily and break. Bloom landed a pair of side kicks which were effective and forced Pedraza to cirle to the fron of the cage where both fighters still standing exchanged blows. Margaret Bloom then landed a beautifully executed "ax kick" followed by leg kicks and Pedraza would continue to try and put pressure on Bloom. Then inthe clinch it would be Margaret Bloom that would get the take down and mount Pedraza and land strikes. The bell sounded to end what was an extremely exciting round. During the one minute break in action it was determined that Crystal Pedraza could not continue due to a leg injury.
Margaret Bloom is the new Universal Fight Alliance Bantomweight womens MMA champion.
Stephanie Skinner VS Britany Nipper
This professional bout was contested in the flyweight division and these two women came into the evening with a bit of "bad blood" for one another. Both were from Riverton, Wyoming but it was Stephanie Skineer that now resides in Denver,Colorado and is trained by Ben Schissler with Serial Boxe. Britany Nipper still a Riverton, Wyoming resident is an independent fighter. The bell sounds to begin the 3 x 5 minute contest and it is Nipper that comes across the cage firing uppercuts and followed it up with a big sweeping overhand hooking right hand-and she did it several times before Skinner would heed the advice of her corner and circle out of danger. Then it would repeat at least a couple of times including no less that 3 knees to the face of Skinner of which all but one were defended or simply taken. The first round was non stop action from the opening bell where it might have appeared to give Britany Nipper the edge on the judges score cards as the bell sounded to end round 1.
During the 1 minute break in between rounds it would have been interesting to hear what Ben Schissler said to his fighter Stephanie Skinner because when the bell sound to start round 2 she charged across the cage floor and landed strikes and put on a completely different display in the 2nd round than the first. Nipper to her credit would hang in there countering with the upper cut overhand right but it was the slick work of Skinner doing take downs and pushing the pace that got the crowd even more into the fight than they were in the opening round. The two fighters stood in the center of the UFA cage when Stephanie Skinner landed a beautifully place head kick which landed right on the jaw line of Nipper. Shortly thereafter the fight went to the ground and it was there that Skinner put to gether a flurry while in the mount and referee Tim Cotton step in and stopped the action. Stephanie Skinner wins at 4:36 of round 2 by referee stoppage due to strikes.
Baylee Antijunti VS Staci Vega
Some that are closest to the sport of MMA can reflect on the fact that if you are close to the promoter you can hear numerous stories on "strange happenings" surrounding any event and UFA 8 was no exception. All women were given pregnancy tests (14 of them in this case) and all but 1 were negative. Staci Vega was scheduled to fight Megan Bennett but it would be Bennett that would test positive. In anticipation that there might be an issue with keeping the card together the promoter had an alternate from South Dakota named Baylee Antijunti on the card and she came to the event with the other 2 women that fought out of Rapid City, South Dakota. The change in opponents was confirmed by Staci Vega who was eager to fight on the all womens fight card. When the bell rang to start round 1 it was clear to see that Baylee Antijunti was considerably larger in staure than Staci Vega. With a near 5 inch height and reach advantage it would be Anijunti that would take Vega to the ground and keep her there for most of round one where she had a solid rear naked choke in on 2 separate occasions and Vega would weather the storm and get out of one RNC and then a side choke only to make it to the end of round 1. Baylee Antijunti clearly won round 1 with size and a smothering offensive that had Vega on her back or side most of the round.
Staci Vega returned to her corner at the conclusion of round 1 and confirmed she was "good" with her people and then the second round began and it would be Vega that would land strikes standing and Antijunti would again take her to the ground but this time Vega found a way to turn Antijunti and would land several strikes as they were at the front part of the cage with nowhere for Antijunti to go. The crowd was going wild at the momentum change and at the time Staci Vega took the back of her opponent and it was there that she set in the fight ending rear naked choke for the victory. With all of the things that could have gone wrong for Vega and to stay in the fight after being controlled for the majority of it-she showed what heart and determination are all about. More than that she earned her 1st victory in MMA in front of her home crowd.
Staci Vega wins by Rear Naked Choke at 1:31 of Round 2
KATIE MOERKE VS LARESSA PETERSON
Katie Moerke was one of 3 fighters representing the Fight Syndicate on the evenings fight card and making her debut she would face Laressa Peterson from Rapid City, South Dakota. When the bell sounded to start of the both fighters nervously tried to gauge their distance until Moerke took the fight to the ground. There it would be Moerke that would work on Peterson and get to the side then transition to an arm bar attempt give up on it and then re-position herself and sink in the fight ending arm bar just 1:05 into round 1. It should be noted that
Moerke and her team mates all competed at the F2W grappling tournament the week prior and then fought on this card. Look for Moerke and Peterson to have a solid future in MMA.
Katie Moerke wins by Arm Bar at 1:05 of round 1.
ALI KISTLER VS CASSIE ROBB
This would be contested at a weight of 105-110. Ali Kistler came in as a debut fighter and trained by her Father Shawn Kistler a former Kick Down MMA fighter. Cassie Robb who entered the arena 1-1 on Saturday evening had never lost in Casper. The bell sounded to start round one and it would be the smaller in staure Kistler that would land some solid leg kicks and exchange before Cassie Robb took her to the ground. Working from the guard of Robb Kistler immediately tried to escape a triangle choke attempt by stacking her opponent but it would be Cassie Robb that would cinch up the fight ending traingle choke at 40 seconds of the 1st round.
Cassie Robb wins at :40 of round 1 by Triangle Choke.
Lavida Givan VS Kelly Heisler
Lavida Givan came into the contest making her MMA debut after having some severe misfortune in prior events where her opponent backed out the week of the fight or even at the weigh ins. 7 in total. Enter Kelly Heisler who was one of the 3 fighters that made the trip from Rapid City, South Dakota to compete on the historic night it was. Both fighters opened with exchanges standing but it would be Lavida Givan that would throw a pair of leg kicks and circle out then throw straight punches to the face of her opponent then catch Heisler with a mid section round kick that must have taken the wind out of her and followed by a charge across the cage where Heisler was motionless. The fight was stopped. In a gallant effort and fast action Kelly Heisler did what she could but it was the striking prowess of Givan that would walk away victorious.
Lavida Givan wins by KO at 1:29 of round 1.
Haelle Smith VS Taylor Munsell
This bout would be contested in the middleweight class between the two yougest fighters on the fight card. The bell sounded to start the bout and both fighters exchanged blows and immediately Halle Smith would come in and take Munsell to the ground. Turtled over it would be Munsell that would try to maintain her senses while Smith threw punches to the ribs and mid section of Munsells body. Taylor tried to get up and out and it worked momentarily but then Smith put together a flurrly od punches to set up the rear naked choke which she landed to secure victory.
Haelle Smith wins by Rear Naked Choke at 1:06 of Round 1.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT WILL BE SHARED BY STEPHANIE SKINNER VS BRITANY NIPPER for their great battle going back and forth in a war that put an exclamation mark on the fact that women belong in the sport. STACI VEGA and BAYLEE ANTIJUNTI. Staci Vega showed enormous heart and Antijunti determination by just getting in there under circumstances that were different to say the least.
TECHNIQUE OF UFA 8.....MARGARET BLOOM FOR HER BEAUTIFUL "AXE KICK" that set the table for everything she threw at her tough opponent from that point on.
Submission of the night......Katie Moerke for her transition from Arm Bar to re-position then get the Arm Bar.
New fighters to watch Haelle Smith........strong, young, good on the ground. Ali Kistler........good striker and will do much better when she faces someone her size and style. Katie Moerke......the complete package that any promotion would look for. Technique, range, personality, looks.
Thanks to the "Women of MMA' that made this event a huge success!
