|  |
"RING OF FIRE 37: Warlords" took place at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in
Omaha, Nebraska and had another night of great action. Only three of the
fourteen bouts on the Ring of Fire card went the distance in a night that
featured a huge upset and several UFC veterans.
The night began with an amateur
bout between John Devall and Justin Seffron. It didn't take long for John
Devall to bring the fight to the mat, and once he got there, he submitted
Seffron via rear naked choke in the first round.
The most exciting bout on the card
hands down was a lightweight bout between Peter Grimes and Donavon Winters. In
round one Grimes came out like a house of fire when the fight was standing
early, however the minute Grimes looked to take the fight to the mat, Winters
countered with a beautifully attempted kimura and when the fight went back to
the feet, Winters landed a beautiful front kick to the chest of Grimes. Rounds
two and three saw both men exchanging, and Grimes ending on top anytime Winters
tried to make the fight into a grappling match. Peter Grimes won via unanimous
decision.
In what has to be considered the upset of the night Sean Wilson scored a
second round technical knock out win over UFC veteran Luke Caudillo. Caudillo
looked to have Wilson's number in the first round and picked Wilson apart on the
feet, and capped the round off with a takedown. Early In round two Wilson
landed and overhand right, followed up with a right hook and then landed some
strikes on the ground defeating Caudillo by technical knock out.
Justin Wren got back
in the win column after making short work of wrestler Josh Henry by taking him
down and landing devastating punches to get the win via technical knock out in
round one.
UFC veteran Chad "The Grinder" Reiner lived up to his nickname as he
grinded out another victory over Brian Green by unanimous decision. All three
rounds saw Reiner taking Green down with some powerful takedowns and passed the
guard of Green on several occasions. To Green's credit he never gave up once
during the fight and managed to scramble to his feet on a few occasions, and
valiantly fought for position against Reiner.
In the co-main event John Alessio
made short work of veteran Matt Delanoit by submitting the fighter in round one
by way of rear naked choke. After the bout Alessio made it known that he wants
to return to the UFC and fight on the UFC 115 card in Vancouver,
Canada.
In the main event local fan favorite Alonzo Martinez took on Demi Deeds
in lightweight action. Deeds fought hard to bring the smaller Martinez to the
mat in the opening minutes of the bout, however Martinez defended the takedowns
well and scored a takedown of his own and ended up submitting Deeds by way of
rear naked choke in the first round.
Full Ring of Fire 37
Results:
MAIN EVENT:
Alonzo Martinez defeats Demi Deeds by submission via rear naked choke in
round 1
FEATURE BOUTS:
John Alessio defeats Matt Delanoit by submission via rear naked choke in
round 1
Chad Reiner defeats Brian Green via
unanimous decision
Sean Wilson defeats Luke
Caudillo via technical knock out in round 2
Justin Wren defeats Josh Henry via technical knock out in round
1
Pete Grimes defeats Donavon Winters via
unanimous decision
PRELIM BOUTS:
Vinny Lopez defeats
Andy Smith via unanimous decision
Enrique Thomas defeats Steve Luccino by submission via rear naked choke
in round 3
Justin Linner defeats Brett
Hodgen by submission via rear naked choke in round 1
Roberto Rojas Jr defeats Jason Prorok by technical knock
out in round 1
Joel Frandsen defeats Matt
Williams by technical knock out in round 2
Johnny Nunez defeats Jeremy Harper by submission via armbar in round
2
John Devall defeats Justin Seffron via rear naked choke
in round 1
|
 Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and living and training in Omaha, Nebraska at Elite
Performance MMA, Explosive Edge, with Grover Wiley and Downtown Boxing, it
shouldn't surprise anyone that "Zo" has stayed close to home, and close to his
roots. "Coming from a large family, 3 younger sisters and 3 older brothers, I
think made things perfect for me as a person. My brothers beat me up and made
me 'tough' I guess, and my sisters probably gave me a little bit on the soft
side of life."
Getting ready to battle Des Moines fighter Demi Deeds at the
Ring of Fire March 5th event, MFF caught up with Alonzo to get his thoughts on
the fight, and MMA in general. "For fighting, although I wrestled since the age
of 5 all the way through High School, I think that as a freestyle fighter, I
don't really have any particular strength or weakness. I simply like to push
the pace and make the fight what it is, a fight. I will be pushing the pace
March 5th that's for certain."
Asked if there was anything in particular
he would like to improve in his game, Alonzo stated "I think I'm pretty well
rounded for MMA, and I normally train for fights according to what I and my
coaches think needs to be addressed for that particular matchup. For this
fight, I'm training heavier on the striking aspects. I think Demi is coming
down from 170 to 155 for the first time, so I don't think he's going to be quite
used to 55 yet. I've been really hitting the striking for a reason, and I'm
just saying with all respect to him that this is going to be a great, great
fight because I know we are both bringing it for this one".
With a record of
26-11-1, and fighting many of the top names not only in the Midwest but some
around the world as well, the matchup with Deeds is said to be bringing some
attention to both fighters for consideration with the UFC. That's meets with
Alonzo's approval as he said he of course has set some goals for himself, and he
believes that he needs to "Beat Demi, stay focused and continue to win, then
make my way into the UFC", so this could potentially play right into his
plans.
Alonzo told me that he hasn't always been as disciplined in the
sport as he should have been and his regrets during those times are many. "
Really, if you are going to be a pro fighter and take it serious, I think you
have to take it to the full time level. I take it serious...no drinking, good
diet, staying in peak physical condition in all areas so that nothing can hold
me back. I have to be smart and take advantage of this right now because right
now is where its at. I'm taking aim at the UFC and I have to be "professional"
about this because this isn't a game for me. It is what I do for a
living".
He went on to say "Getting into fights all the time (outside the
cage) caused me a bunch of problems, plus I was shot in 2003 and that took a bit
to get back from. Basically, it all came back around to me and at a party,
things happened and it's too bad, but in a strange way, it put me in the place I
am today".
"As an example, Yves Edwards was my toughest fight, but that
was mostly my fault for not coming in to the fight in the shape I should have
been in from a cardio standpoint. I think I had him at a point in the fight,
but the thing is, he's a professional, and he came in like he needed to. I
would add that a lot of the times, I have some of my toughest competition in the
gym. But, that just makes the fights easier".
Continuing, Martinez said
"I love it this sport. Growing up I was in and out of trouble, my brothers were
beating me up, kind of feels like I was made just for the sport because the
competition aspect of it is unequalled. There is no more "high" than you can
get by being locked in a cage with another man to see who has better prepared
for and is more technically sound for a fight."
CLICK HERE FOR REST OF STORY
|
|
DEMI DEEDS FROM THE 515 TO 155
|
|
 Born, raised, and fighting out of Des Moines, Iowa and Des Moines
MMA with Anthony Porcelli, Josh Neer, and a host of other outstanding Mixed
Martial Artists, Demi Deeds comes to Omaha and the Ring of Fire fighting Alonzo
Martinez at 155 pounds. Stepping down from 170 hasn't been as difficult for
Demi as he first believed it was going to be.
"Cutting the weight is going well actually, and
I want to stay there because I think that's the weight I want and need to be at
if I get the chance to fight at the next level. Within the year, I'd like
certainly like to make it to one of the big shows like the WEC or UFC and I also
think that's
why I need to make this jump to 55 and fight one of the top
guys around."
Raised by his grandmother on a fixed
income his entire childhood, Demi says "She was STRICT on me for sure. I never
got into any trouble ever, she wouldn't allow me to. She was pretty much my
world until I had my son Jaiden 3 years ago and became a father of a child
myself. It was good that I eventually got old enough to work a bit and start
helping us out though".
He added
that he did have a great mentor and father figure growing up in Garth Starboe.
"He has been like a father to me since the age of 7. He helped me start in
business and more importantly in life. He has been instrumental in my making to
where I am today in so many ways, and there really aren't enough ways to thank
him".
Asked about how he thinks
he will match up with Alonzo, Demi says "Cardio has been a problem in the past
because I used to try to always win in the 1st round and was so tense that
it caused me to gas a bit. I think now I've learned to relax and take the fight
as it comes, plus I feel that I'm in the best shape of my life right
now".
Demi adds "Standing has
always been my best assett, but I've had to work hard on my ground game and in
fact won my last 3 fights by submission so the hard work is paying off and I
really feel comfortable there now".
Continuing, he says "I'm a 3rd Degree black belt in TaeKwondo, been in it
since I was four. I did some wrestling through high school as well. I guess the
way I see it is I think this is going to be a good fight. He's going to come
ready. I've watched him fight a lot. He seems to like to push the pace and
he's a smart, smart fighter. I think if we stand and bang, I'd have the
advantage, but we could go anywhere and really, I just expect this to be a great
fight".
Finishing our conversation, Demi stated "I've
always been one who loves competition, always trying to push myself, I love the
contact in the sport and it's seriously fast paced. I never was the type to
fight on the street, but fighting in a cage is a rush! I look forward to this
fight quite a bit because Alonzo represents a huge challenge, and I love that
kind of competition".
Demi Deeds
is sponsored by: www.SmokinMAA.com, Full Tilt Poker, Slycord Electric, Perfection Heating and Cooling,
Starboe Farms
See Demi Deeds and
Alonzo Martinez battle it out at the Ring of Fire in Omaha, NE, March
5th!
|
|
BRIAN GREEN FULLY HEALED, FULLY FOCUSED
|
|
 Training and fighting at one of toughest gyms in the Midwest with Anthony Porcelli at Des Moines MMA, Brian Green has fought some of the toughest and biggest names in the region to include Joe Vedepo, Nick Thompson, Rory Markham, Rob Kimmons, Crafton Wallace and Steve Carl. Having gone through most high level fights with a shoulder that would pop out of socket with even limited use (torn labrum) had Green on the ropes as he contemplated his future in the sport. Meeting up with one of the Midwest’s premiere surgeons in Dr. Jacobsen saying “the Great Lord blessed me with a pro-bono surgery by Dr. Jacobson, the best shoulder surgeon in the state, and I got a new shoulder. Now I'm really kind of just starting my MMA career over, WITHOUT a handicap.”
“I have had a very severe shoulder injury that limited me from being able to throw my right hand standing up, as well as limit me from takedown defense and my ability to take people down. I haven't taken someone down for a long time, so I don’t know exactly what I'm going to do. I have a wide arsenal of techniques I'm excited to utilize.”
Asked about his younger days, Brian says “I had a childhood that wasn't fancy. I was in and out of alternative schools, and was always in trouble. None of the teachers wanted to deal with me because of my ADHD. My parents got divorced when I was 13 and things just started going downhill from there.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
|
|
REINER LOOKS TO SHINE AT ROF WARLORDS
|
|
Growing up in the small town of West Point,
Nebraska, Chad "The Grinder" Reiner has entered about every cage in the Midwest
and beyond, and additionally spent time with the ultimate Fighting
Championships. One of his goals is to get back to the UFC, and he feels it's
fights like the one he has with Des Moines fighter Brian "Smokin" Green that can
help him get there.
Chad felt he was picked on a lot when he was young,
until one day he "learned to start fighting back". He thanked his father for
not only that,
but for making him work a lot when he was a kid because "I
feel I really learned a lot from that".
Training at Elite Performance in
Omaha, Nebraska, Chad says "I like the submissions, and I like to stand up and
throw. Either way, I'm pretty happy. My background is of course a lot of
wrestling, amateur boxing, and Jiu Jitsu". "And really, I just absolutely love
every aspect of this sport. The sweat, the tears, the teamwork and the
experience are simply profound".
Chad added that "I had been doing this
full time for about two and a half years, but I work part time now as a loan
officer as well. Regardless,this looks like a great card and the event and the
fight should be exciting!"
Sporting a 30-2 amateur MMA record and a pro
record of 23 wins with just 10 losses gives Reiner a huge amount of experience
in MMA. Talking about some of his past fights, he related that "Man, I can
remember my fight with Brandon wolfe, who I fought to defend my Welterweight
Title Belt in Hawaii. Definitely my toughest fight to date because we went all
5 of the 5 minute rounds and I ended up losing by split
decision".
Adding to some past experiences, he says that "I even
remember fighting Jason Percel, and I completely jumped over him when throwing a
flying knee". Chad went on to say "I have found over time that turning away
from distractions is what helps me inside the cage. Too many can be detrimental
in the fight game. Also, some struggles in the past were not really knowing
what dream I wanted to settle with. This is before I found MMA".
Chad seemed
pretty excited to be fighting in Omaha in front of a friendly and supportive
crowd. "I really need to thank all of my teammates who beat my butt everyday,
my family for supporting me and the good Lord above for keeping me able to do
so".
You can see "The Grinder" in action at the Ring of Fire March 5th at
the Omaha Civic Auditorium!
Chad is Sponsored by: 8 Ball Nutrition
|
| |
|
