MCC23

Thanksgiving Throwdown has become a tradition for the Midwest’s top promotion, and with thirteen fights down, the fighters and MCC crew are ready to relax and spend some time giving thanks for all that is good.

There were three belts on the line last night, and all three champions proved to a crowd of over 2,000 people why they proudly wear the strap around their waist.  In the first title match of the night, relative newcomer, Demetrius “D-Mo” Richards stepped in as an underdog against number one contender Jesse Lund.  Taking the fight on less than ten days notice, Richards came into the cage with his game plan in tact, swiftly putting Lund on his back and securing a Kimura just minutes into the opening round, forcing the tap from Lund.  With the Interim Championship secured, D-Mo has already called out MCC current Light Heavyweight Champion, Chuck Grigsby- a fighter that recently put the only blemish on Richards record.  After congratulating the newly crowned champ, Grigsby quickly accepted the challenge and MCC is already working on their fight for an upcoming event.

Next up on the card was a battle of featherweight brawlers as Josh “Bam Bam” Henry, who was on a three fight win streak, took a big leap in competition to challenge MCC Featherweight title holder, Eric Marriott for his belt.  Right off the bat, Henry came on strong, slamming the champion to the mat and delivering some brutal ground and pound.  Marriott showed his experience and cage prowess and he remained composed as he went for submission after submission.  Henry was able to defend a barrage or arm bars, but the relentless Marriott was finally able to secure an arm which had Bam Bam quickly tapping out at the end of the first round.  Before the fight Marriott made no qualms that the belt was going back to Independence, Missouri with him, and he made good on his claim.

In the main event of the evening, former Middleweight Champion, Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer, made another run for the best when he faced Elvis “The King” Mutapcic.  The first round saw the taller, more muscular Mutapcic stalking Van Meer like a lion chasing down a gazelle.  With brutal leg kicks, Mutapcic battered Van Meers legs and mid-section over and over again.  Despite having less than ten fights under his belt, Mutapcic remained extremely calm as he picked his shots over and over.  It was not until the final seconds of the first round Van Meer was finally able to land any significant strikes.
The second round started with Van Meer coming out more aggressively, looking for the take down.  The King was able to shrug Van Meer off, delivering more leg strikes for his effort.  following Van Meers third attempt to get the Bosnian phenom to the mat, his leg buckled and he went down with Mutapcic following him to fire off ten unanswered blows before referee Thomas Mastin was forced to call a halt to the action.  Mutapcic left the cage with the Middleweight Championship belt around his waist.

The nights under card bouts were just as exciting as the title fights with two bantamweight fighters making impressive MCC debuts.

Sioux City’s John “Bogus” DeVall received his invitation to the promotion after a successful tryout at MCC Trials III.  The quiet mixed martial artists did all his talking in the cage when he faced Des Moines native, Tony “Lil Crusher” Crowder.   After getting put on his back just seconds after the opening bell, DeVall hunted relentlessly for submissions until he secured the fight ending triangle he was searching for.  It was an impressive debut for the newcomer, DeVall.  His performance was anything but “Bogus”, and fight fans will see him on another card soon.

A native of Oahu, Hawaii, Max “Little Evil” Holloway traveled to the main land to help out fellow MCC alum Will Shutt and Josh Henry prepare for their bouts.  Known for his lightning fast hands and devastating kicks, this tall bantamweight had his hands full as he faced muay Thai prodigy, Corey McDonald.  In what was touted to be the stand up fight of the night, it was Holloway who used multiple Judo throws to keep McDonald on the canvas, peppering his with strikes.  This strategy proved to be the puzzle McDonald could not solve as “Little Evil” pounded away at the face and body until McDonald verbally submitted.  Taking the moniker, “Little Evil” after former UFC champion Jens Pulver, Holloway has some big shoes to fill.  He proved to MCC fans that he is here to make some noise and shake up the competition in the bantamweight division.

Full Event Results Below

Laird via Unaniamous Decision over Morrison- 30-27, 29-28, 29-28
DeVall via Triangle over Crowder- 2:34
Lepa via Unanimous Decision over Jones- 29-28 unan decision
Holloway via Ref Stoppage over McDonald- 2:51
Villareal via Doctor Stoppage due to Cut over Vandermark- 1:55 rd 3
Shaffer via Submission to Strikes over Moffit- :34
Rios via Ref stoppage due to Strikes over Naumann- 1:19
Branson via Triangle over Tice triangle- 4:41
Christenson via Rear Naked Choke over Johnson- 1:24
Mickle via Arm Bar over Shutt- 0:19
Marriot via Arm Bar over Henry- 2:23
Richards via Kimura over Lund- 1:31
Mutapcic via Ref Stoppage due to Strikes over Van Meer rd 2

MCC 23 Thanksgiving Throwdown

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 @ Vets Auditorium

1. Laird via Unaniamous Decision over Morrison- 30-27, 29-28, 29-28
2. DeVall via Triangle over Crowder- 2:34
3. Lepa via Unanimous Decision over Jones- 29-28 unan decision
4. Holloway via Ref Stoppage over McDonald- 2:51
5. Villareal via Doctor Stoppage due to Cut over Vandermark- 1:55 rd 3
6. Shaffer via Submission to Strikes over Moffit- :34
7. Rios via Ref stoppage due to Strikes over Naumann- 1:19
8. Branson via Triangle over Tice triangle- 4:41
9. Christenson via Rear Naked Choke over Johnson- 1:24
10. Mickle via Arm Bar over Shutt- 0:19
11. Marriot via Arm Bar over Henry- 2:23
12. Richards via Kimura over Lund- 1:31
13. Mutapcic via Ref Stoppage due to Strikes over Van Meer rd 2

Featherweight Division
Justin Morrisson	VS	Zak Laird
Batamweight Division
John DeVall	VS	Tony Crowder
Lightweight Division
Nick Lepa	VS	Jordan Jones
Featherweight Division
Max Holloway	VS	Corey McDonald
Welterweight Division
Leo Villareal	VS	Chad Vandermark
Bantamweight Division
Shane Moffit	VS	Laramie Shaffer
Welterweight Division
Thomas Naumann	VS	Miguel Rios
Middleweight Division
Andy Branson	VS	Ian Tice
Light Heavyweight Division
Josh Christenson	VS	Heath Johnson
Lightweight Division
Will Shutt	VS	Chris Mickle
Featherweight Championship
Josh Henry	VS	Eric Marriott
Interim Light Heavyweight Championship
Demetrius Richards	VS	Jesse Lund
Middleweight Championship
Elvis Mutapcic	VS	Mike Van Meer

Eric Marriott and Chris Mickle

Ronnie Britt

More photos in the Gallery.

When one door closes another opens, and in this case, the cage door is wide open for a new contender.  Eric Marriott, a mixed martial artist who sports an impressive 10-1-1 professional record and a 18-3 amateur record, fighting as heavy as 205 pounds, will step in to take on Chris Mickle at MCC 21.  Marriott, who is currently in negotiations with Strikeforce, with wins over WEC vet and season seven Ultimate Fighter alum, Joe Benoit, former MCC lightweight contender Michael Johnson, and former MCC Champion Ted Worthington, is excited for the opportunity and knows a win over Chris Mickle will propel him into the major leagues.  Marriott quickly stated, “I’m tired of all my fights going to the ground. I want a guy who will stand and bang with me.  Being a WEC vet and having all of his experience, I’m hoping Chris and I can stand and bang it out for the crowd!”  Featherweight champion, Chris Mickle has been involved in some of the most epic battles inside the MCC cage, and this fight should be nothing less that highlight worthy.

In other exciting news, Midwest Cage Championship has just purchased a new,larger cage for MCC 21.  “We’ve moved the show to a bigger, better arena.  It was time to get a bigger, better cage as well.” commented MCC co-owner, John Halverson.  “There is more room for showcasing sponsors, better camera angles for Mediacom, and more room for action inside the cage.  The fighters are stoked, and we know the fans will be too.”  added Halverson.

Check out www.MidwestCageChampionship.com for updates, and more up to the minute news, including the weekly blog of veteran mixed martial artist Ronnie “Warfrog” Britt as he prepares for his final battle inside the cage.  At MCC 21 he will face Brazillian Jiu Jitsu ace, Marcus Mack.  Tickets are available on-line, at the Iowa Events Center box office, www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, by phone 1-866-55-DAHLS, or 515-229-8566.

“If it ain’t MCC, it ain’t real!”

Friday, June 26th, 2009 @ Vets Auditorium

MCC 21 Results

1. Johnny Coleman vs Josh Troen Winner: Coleman, :22, Round 1, KO by headkick
2. Barrett Eller vs Dean Bradley Winner: Bradley, 1:56, Round 1, Arm bar
3. Mike Miller vs Daraughn Canada Winner: Canada, 1:16, Round 1, RNC
4. Lance Meredith vs Josh Atwell Winner: Atwell, 2:57, Round 1, Guillotine
5. Joe Morris vs Josh Henry Winner: Henry, 1:14, Round 3, Head-Arm Choke
6. Thomas Lopez vs Troy Cline Winner: Lopez, 2:21, Round 1, Tapout due to strikes
7. Jeremy Castro vs TJ O’Brien Winner: O’Brien, 1:28, Round 1, Triangle
8. Andy Branson vs Elvis Mutapcic Winner: Branson, Split Decision, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29
9. Matt Scaggs vs Mike Van Meer Winner: Van Meer, 3:09, Round 1, Tapout due to strikes
10. Travis Nath vs Ronnie Britt Winner: Britt, :11, Round 1, Guillotine
11. Eric Marriott vs Chris Mickle Winner: Marriott, Decision, 46-49, 44-50, 50-45

Bantam Weight Division
Johnny Coleman	VS	Josh Troen
Heavy Weight Division
Barrett Eller	VS	Dean Bradley
Light Weight Division
Mike Miller	VS	Daraughn Canada
Feather Weight Division
Lance Meredith	VS	Josh Atwell
Feather Weight Division
Joe Morris	VS	Josh Henry
Light Heavyweight Division
Thomas Lopez	VS	Troy Cline
Light Weight Division
Jeremy Castro	VS	TJ O’Brien
Middle Weight Division
Andy Branson	VS	Elvis Mutapicic
Middle Weight Division
Matt Scaggs	VS	Mike Van Meer
Welter Weight Division
Travis Nath	VS	Ronnie Britt
Featherweight Championship
Eric Marriott	VS	Chris Mickle