MCC Trials IV: Clear Skies, New Blood; This is Iowa MMA, Baby!

MCC Trials IV: Clear Skies, New Blood; This is Iowa MMA, Baby!
 
 
Saturday night, MCC held its first ever outdoor event.  The Guthrie County Fair played host to Midwest Cage Championship’s fourth trials series as the Midwest’s most popular promotion sought out more up and coming talent to add to their already impressive roster.  The fight thirsty crowd was primed and ready for war by the time the first fighter entered the cage.  Since Guthrie Center had never housed a live MMA event, MCC did not want to leave the new fans disappointed and instilled the services of two bigger name fighters.  The main event of the evening featured a professional mixed martial arts bout/rematch between former middleweight champion, Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer and “Mean” Dean Bradley.
 
The fights were a success and although several fighters gave impressive performances, four fighters, in particular, laminated their spot on upcoming MCC cards.
 
Isaac Adamson- Making his mixed martial arts debut, Adamson, who is fighting out of the Henry fight camp, came highly recommended from his trainer and MCC Featherweight Champion, Josh “Bam Bam” Henry.  With such confidence in the new comers skills, Henry was completely at ease with Adamson’s match up, amateur MMA champion and the holder of an impressive 8-2 record, Alex “The Predator” Stephens.  When the bell rang Adamson wasted little time going after his opponent.  Looking like a predator himself, Adamson landed punches, kicks and takedowns at the command of his corner.  Stephens hung tough and fended off several submission attempts and vulnerable positions throughout the contest.  However, nearing the end of the second frame, Stephens made a rookie mistake as Adamson sunk in a tight head arm triangle choke, putting “The Predator” to sleep with just fifteen seconds left in the round.  Look for big things to come from this kid. 
 
Mike Briggs-  A protege of MMA veteran, Ronnie “The Warfrog” Britt, Briggs faced his toughest, most rugged opponent to date; Jesse Walker, brother of MCC vet, Nick “The Wolverine” Walker.  If you know anything about the Walker clan, you know that they are not going to lay down for anyone.  You know they will fight anyone.  And, you know that if you fight a Walker, you’re going to know that you were in a fight!  Ready to prove himself, Briggs was content to stand in the pocket and trade punches and knees for the majority of the bout.  Although close to being submitted in the first round, Briggs showed patience and perfect technique, escaping the standing guillotine for a much more favorable position.  Working at a feverish pace, it was hard to imagine these two would be able to keep it up.  At the one minute mark of the second round, Briggs was able to take Walker down, pass to the mount position and rain down some heavy leather.  The end came at 2:50 of round number two when referee Thomas Mastin had seen enough.  Looking no worse for the wear, Briggs hand was raised in victory as he politely accepted his invitation to join MCC’s organization.
 
Brent Bates- Another standout from Henry’s Martial Arts camp, Bates, who made the transition from heavyweight to middleweight, was prepared to put on a mixed martial arts clinic as he went toe to toe with Brandon Kiley.  As Bates stalked his opponent, he waited for his opportunity to pounce.  As Kiley defended the punishment at the hands of Bates, the motivated middleweight turned up the heat forcing the TKO stoppage at 2:49 seconds of round number one.  An intense competitor, Bates has a lot of talent, and training with a qualified camp will only expose his unlimited potential.
 
Nate Hausen-  A member of Des Moines Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Hausen  was well prepared for his MMA debut.  With corner men like MCC champions, Elvis “The King” Mutapcic and Andy “Danger Zone” Branson, one would have to come to the cage with a lot of confidence, right?  Facing former DMX brawler, Thomas Olofson, both warriors stepped into the cage looking like chiseled gladiators.  Although most were looking for a stand up and bang fest, Hausen was looking to show his dominance.  After throwing a jab, Olofson ducked under to take the newcomer to the mat, but Hausen, training with some of the best fighters in the heartland, saw his opportunity and seized it.  The opportunity was Olofson’s exposed neck.  As Hausen wrenched tighter and tighter, Olofson was left without an escape route and forced to tap to the guillotine in just :42 of the opening frame.  With first fight jitters out of the way, look for Hausen to return to the cage very soon to continue his stellar performances.
 
In the evening’s main event, Van Meer, who lost a three round decision to Bradley earlier this year, vowed to get revenge by taking the younger fighter out in the very first round.  Bradley, however, had different plans.
 
Much like the fist go round, the rematch saw all three rounds, however, it was Van Meer, who was on the delivering end of a one-sided win.  Scoring 30-27 on all three judges scorecards, Van Meer was satisfied with his performance and so was the pro-Van Meer crowd.  Talks have already been circulating for the rubber match.  Stay tuned!
 
Midwest Cage Championship’s next event, MCC 29: “Champion vs. Champion” is right around the corner.  The card is already shaping up to be one of greatness.  The main event will pit MCC’s Lightweight Champion, TJ “The Spider” O’Brien against MCC’s Featherweight Champion, Josh “Bam Bam” Henry in a 150 pound catch weight, non-title bout.  Look for information on this event to be released very soon, and tickets to go on sale at www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, by phone at 515-229-8566, Iowa Events Center Box Office, or at all Dahl’s ticket outlets.