Caged at the Coast IV: Photos and Post Match Interviews

Justin Mark:


Tyler Hayes:


Corey Wyatt:


John Bartlett:


Robin Woods:


John Hedge:


Patrick Ryan:


Nathan Gunderson:


Justin Mark Suicide Kick:








Death Valley Driver Slam:











* All video and pics shot by Rizal Sambo

Caged at the Coast IV provides quality night of MMA

Two championship belts decided at Caged at the Coast at Chinook Winds Casino last weekend

Hold on tight: FCFF provided another thrilling night of MMA action with a 15-fight card at Caged at the Coast at Chinook Winds Casino this past weekend. (photo by Rizal Sambo)

In a thrilling evening of amateur MMA action, 170-pound champion Justin Mark put his title on the line against 20-year old talent Tyler Hayes, and Corey Wyatt battled John Bartlett for the vacant 185-pound belt at the FCFF's Caged at the Coast this past Saturday on March 26. Chinook Winds Casino hosted the 15-fight event, which offered evenly matched and intense bouts of strategic and skillful mixed martial arts competition.

The opening bout got the crowd's adrenaline pumping early, as 28-year-old James Morley entered the cage looking for his first win against 18-year-old Anthony Attebury, who was making his debut in a 160-pound fight. Both fighters pushed the pace, but it was Attebury who controlled most of the opening round action, scoring the first takedown and nearly ending the fight with a submission. In the second round, Morley turned the tide, coming out with a flurry of punches and eventually scoring a takedown late. The third round was back-and-forth again, full of takedowns, reversals and submission attempts by both fighters, but in the end, it was Attebury who would earn a close split decision from the judges.

In another undercard bout, up-and-coming MMA star Robin Woods fought Deirdra Gravina in the 135-pound female weight class. Coming off a decision victory in her cage debut against top amateur prospect Emily Whitmire, Woods wanted to put on a more decisive showing this time around, and that's just what she did, overwhelming Gravina quickly and earning an impressive TKO 45 seconds into the first round.

"I'm excited," Woods said with a smile after the fight. "I was content with my last fight, but it was disappointing because it was a split decision, this time I went in and I wanted to finish it."

The 28-year-old Woods has only been training MMA for about a year and a half, and brings a competitive rugby background with her into the cage. Wood's size, strength and explosive athleticism give her a decisive physical advantage against most opponents that stand across from her.

"My training for the last month and a half was really focused on skill set, because the last time I just went in there and rugby mauled her," Woods said. "So I [wanted] to show that I do have a little bit of [ju-jitsu], that I do know submissions, and that I can do boxing, so I was really happy."

Balancing classes and training for a fight can be a difficult task, but Woods is dedicated to making the most of her opportunities. She hopes to take her first pro fight sometime later this year, and if things keep going her way she could be signed by the UFC, who will soon be putting on female fights down the road.

"Last time I talked to you I was trying to play catch-up," Woods admitted. "The last fight I stressed out so much, but after it was over I realized I didn't need to stress out to that extent. I was able to focus on my school and I think I got all As and Bs, so I'm happy with that, considering all the other stuff I have going on."

In the first of two three-round championship fights, John Bartlett won a unanimous decision over Corey Wyatt to capture the vacant FCFF 185-pound belt. Bartlett used his wrestling background to keep the match on the mat, and came close to ending the fight with multiple guillotine chokes, but Wyatt was able to escape each time and deliver plenty of his own offense. Still, Bartlett was able to control most of the action and remained in dominant position more often than not. After the fight, both fighters didn't hesitate to show mutual respect.

"Props to him for not tapping," Bartlett said. "I thought the [chokes] were really tight, but he refused to tap and pushed me off. Those are my bread and butter, but he had good guillotine defense. I look to finish fights there, but couldn't finish it, so that's a credit to him."

"He had a couple of those good guillotines," Wyatt admitted, "But we've been doing training where I gas out and once I'm out of breath I have to swim underneath the water and push a 45-pound plate across the bottom while I'm holding my breath for like 100 feet. So getting caught in those guillotines, I just held my breath like I was swimming underwater."

In the night's main event, 145-pound FCFF champion Justin Mark gutted-out an exciting and relentlessly contested three-round battle against upcoming talent Tyler Hayes. Hayes nearly finished Mark on a couple occasions, landing some dangerous shots and holding his own on the ground. The veteran experience of Mark came through in the end, as he persevered to nearly pull off a triangle-choke in the closing moments of the second round and ultimately hit the bigger shots, including various punches, kicks and knee strikes.

"After a tough fight like that, I want another one," Mark said. "I haven't had a tough fight and that was the only fight I've had go to decision. Now I know why I like finishing in the first round, because decisions suck. But my goal was to get a tough fight and see if I could get beat up and face adversity and still get back to it."

"I love MMA, I love fighting," Hayes said after the fight, sporting a number of fresh stitches on the bottom of his chin. "I didn't get discouraged by this loss at all—I'd get back in the ring right now if I could."

The FCFF's next event will be the Rumble at the Roseland, hosted at Portland's Roseland Theater on Saturday, April 23. ■


Event Results:
Mar 26, 2011

Main Event: Featherweight Championship
Justin Mark def. Tyler Hayes : Unanimous Decision
Justin Mark remains the FCFF Featherweight Champion

Co-Main Event: Middleweight Championship
John Bartlett def. Corey Wyatt : Unanimous Decision
John Bartlett is the new FCFF Middleweight Champion

Undercard
160 Anthony Attebury def. James Morley - Split Decision
176 Freddie Bailey def. Jake Ashard - Unanimous Decision
176 Luis Luna def. Danny Modenessi - TKO :53 of Rd. 1
170 Alex Jordan def. Carlos Mondragon - Tapout 1:46 of Rd. 1
155 John Hedge def. Nathan Gunderson - Tapout 2:42 of Rd. 2
HWT Tristen John def. Eric Mills - TKO 1:26 of Rd. 1
170 Jason Novelli def. Nathan Orchard - Unanimous Decision
HWT Jamie Dixson def. Steven Hall - TKO 2:09 of Rd. 2
155 Patrick Ryan def. Rex Foulk - Unanimous Decision
170 Ray Gonzales def. Chris Moran - KO - 1:08 of Rd. 1
195 Josh Hitsman def. Silas Davis - Unanimous Decision
HWT Tony "Terrific" Blomstrom def. Nathan Elyson- Verbal Submission :40 of Rd. 1
135 Girl: Robin Woods def. Deidra Gravina - TKO :42 of Rd. 1

Photos from Rumble at the Roseland 54:





















* All pics taken by Rizal Sambo

Rumble at the Roseland 54 ends in exciting fashion

A packed Roseland Theater hosts 14 thrilling bouts, including the debut of PSU student Robin Woods

Bringing the pain: Two fighters from the FCFF's previous Rumble at the Roseland take the match to the mat. (Photo courtesy of FCFF.com)

Kevin Fox stood over the crumpled body of Damien Martindale and swiped his thumb across his throat in celebration.

In the much-hyped "Battle of the Champions," Fox successfully defended his light heavyweight championship Saturday in the main event of the Full Contact Fighting Federation's Rumble at the Roseland 54, catching heavyweight champion Martindale with a devastating straight-right in the second round that instantly folded his opponent's body up against the cage.

Martindale, a natural heavyweight, cut weight from 235 lbs to 205 lbs to face Fox for his light-heavyweight belt.

"I feel great," Fox said later that night. "It's a fight I've been waiting for a long time, [and] he said I've been dodging him...Also, there was motivation because he came down to my weight class."

Added Fox about his post-fight antics: "My emotions got to me. I don't usually come out cocky like that, but I guess he gave me a little extra fuel for the fire."

"There's no bad blood, not on my part," Martindale said. "He didn't want to shake at the beginning, but I understand, that's a fighter's preference. I respect him."

After a close first round, Fox was able to keep the fight standing in the second, landing some big shots, including a cracking kick across Martindale's mid-section, which eventually led to the end of the fight.

"He's the type of fighter that likes to secure position before he throws a lot of strikes," Fox said. "So I knew if I could fight the take down, then it would stay standing, in my realm."

In a featured undercard bout, upcoming female prospect Emily Whitmire faced off against Portland State student Robin Woods.

A competitive rugby player who is currently studying for her Master's degree in Urban Studies, Woods made her mixed martial arts debut Saturday night against the more experienced Whitmire.

"I was really nervous I was going to get psyched out, so my main focus was keeping calm," Woods said. "I get really bad stage fright sometimes, but it wasn't as bad I thought it was going to be."

"It was similar to rugby in a lot of ways," Woods added. "Rugby can be a very intense sport."

Woods controlled most of the fight, using her size advantage to keep Whitmire up against the cage or pinned on the ground. Although Woods didn't land many big shots, her ability to dominate the action earned her a three round split decision victory.

"It was a lot fun," Woods said. "But it was frustrating because there was a lot of stuff I knew I could have done better and hope to do better in the future."

Despite the loss, Whitmire was able to secure threatening submission attempts multiple times off her back, nearly ending the fight twice in the second round.

"I wasn't getting anywhere up against the cage, so I felt like I kind of gave her the takedown sometimes, so then I could look for submissions," Whitmire said.

"I was surprised at first when one of the judges scored for me," Whitmire remarked. "But when I think back, on the ground I was going for submissions and she was just holding her place."

Still, Whitmire understands that the life of an amateur cage-fighter isn't always an easy road, and she knows that you have to put your work in.

"It always sucks [to lose], but I'm only an amateur," Whitmire said. "So I'd rather lose now than later as a pro. It's all a learning process. Every time you get in there you learn something about yourself."

After her successful debut, Woods talked about the negative stereotype often associated with her new sport.

"The only reason I fight is because I love the people I train with; they're great people. [Fighters] are definitely not bloodthirsty or savage people—I don't feel it's that way at all," Woods said. "You're always going to find a few bad apples in every sport; I mean, there are rugby players I'd really like to smack."

However, Woods won't have much time to celebrate her win, as she'll have to quickly shift from hitting opponents back to hitting

the books.

"School has definitely suffered from my training routine," Woods joked. "So I need to get caught up this week."

She recommends that her fellow Portland State students get out and watch a mixed martial arts event to experience the excitement, or if they're bold enough, even try it out for themselves.

"Just getting out there, meeting different people and staying physically active is good," Woods said. "I'm a mind, body, spirit type of person. I think its good to have a balance of all facets in your life and broaden your horizons."■

Event Results:

Jan 22, 2011

Main Event: Light HWT Championship
Kevin Fox def. Damion Martindale - KO :42 of Rd. 2
Kevin Fox remains FCFF Light HWT Champion

Co-Main Event: 125 Female Bout
Robin Woods def. Emily Whitmire - Split Decision

Undercard
170 Shane Patterson def. Paul Berlemont - 2:00 of Rd. 1 Tapout
145 Dylan Atkinson def. Austin Powers - 2:09 of Rd. 1 TKO
170 Vedad Pezer def. Daniel Dieringer - 2:38 of Rd. 1 Tapout
165 Alex Jordan def. Raul Bello - 1:29 of Rd. 2 Tapout due to choke
SHWT Ryan Harrington def. Andy Gilles - Verbal Submission :38 of Rd. 1
145 Rex Foulk def. Andrew Emsley - :46 of Rd. 1 Tapout
205 Joshua Ryan def. Jacob Perkins - 2:57 of Rd. 2 TKO
175 Jeremy Jones def. Pat Ryan - 2:47 of Rd. 1 Tapout
170 Rafael Palma def. Michael Saiville - 2:59 of Rd. 2 Tapout
HWT Ricardo Martinez def. Eric Hurt - 2:21 of Rd. 2 TKO
135 Austin Warner def. Craig Jordan - 2:05 of Rd. 1 TKO
HWT Jeremy Morse def. Josh McPherson - Majority Decision

Two champs headline Rumble at the Roseland 54

Portland's premiere MMA series continues Saturday

The mount: Fighters from a previous Full Contact Fighting Federation match grapple on the mat. (Photo courtesy of FCFF)

Heavyweight champion Damion Martindale faces heavyweight champion Kevin Fox at the Roseland Theater on Saturday, Jan. 22.

The FCFF has hosted over 75 mixed-martial arts events throughout Oregon, but tomorrow night's Rumble at the Roseland 54 is a shaping up to be a truly special event.

Heavyweight champion Damion Martindale will attempt to make FCFF history by being the first fighter to simultaneously hold belts in two different weight classes. Martindale will drop down from heavyweight (235 lbs) to lightweight (205 lbs) when he faces Kevin Fox for his lightweight championship on Saturday night. It's a match-up that has local MMA enthusiasts chomping at the bit.

"I can't wait for [tomorrow night's event]—especially the title fight," Brian Toogood, a recent Portland State graduate and a local MMA fan, said. "The Rumble at the Roseland shows are always a good time, but in my opinion, it's just a little more exciting when the big guys bang."

Martindale has a reputation as a hard-hitter with a strong wrestling background. He became the heavyweight champion back in August at Rumble at the Roseland 53 after defeating Eli Pauls in the second round via tapout, and then successfully defended his title in November, beating Paul Haasslan at Caged at the Coast 3. Moving between weight classes can be a challenging venture, but Martindale is excited for the opportunity.

"We're up here for the entertainment of the people," Martindale said. "It feels great—there's not a better feeling in the world."

Lightweight champion Fox has yet to defend his title since winning the belt over seven months ago at Rumble at the Roseland 52, but the champion is a dangerous fighter with knockout power in both hands. Fox's last two victories were both flash knockouts early in the first round, so expect the main event to deliver some fireworks.

The under card will feature plenty of must-see bouts as well, including some top-talent from the female division. Rising MMA star Emily Whitmire will meet up with world-class rugby player Robin Woods. Whitmire is a spunky young athlete, who has absolutely dominated her last two opponents, earning her a record of 2-1 in the cage. She has the potential to become a very successful and marketable fighter on the professional level.

"It's been a lot of fun, and a lot of work," said Whitmire of her MMA experience thus far. "I just want to work as hard as I can to get better and maybe go pro within a couple years."

However, Whitmire's opponent tomorrow night is no stranger to contact sports. Woods was the captain of the Reed College rugby team, and has recently been selected to represent the USA mixed team for the Touch Rugby world cup in Scotland in 2011. Currently, Woods' focus has been on MMA.

"I'm wanting to be well-rounded, so [I've] been working both ground and stand-up," said Woods. "I'd love to get a few more fights in, get a title shot and maybe go pro."

All the fighters competing tomorrow evening will step into the cage with amateur status—meaning none of the fighters will be getting paid. Fortunately for the fighters, the FCFF is the top promotion for local amateur MMA talent to develop their craft and make a name for themselves.

"The [UFC] doesn't just want anybody off the streets coming in and considering themselves a pro fighter," said Kevin Keeney, promoter and co-owner of the FCFF.

Keeney owns the promotion with longtime friend and UFC top-contender Chael Sonnen, who advises fans to act fast if they want to come be a part of what will surely be an exciting evening of mixed-martial arts action.

"Get your tickets early, because they don't last long," Sonnen said. ■

Correction: In Friday's article "Two champs headline Rumble at the Roseland 54," the Vanguard incorrectly stated that Full Contact Fighting Federation heavyweight champion Damion Martindale was vying to make history as the first FCFF fighter to simultaneously hold belts in different weight classes. This feat had already been accomplished in 2006, when Scott "The School Teacher" Trayhorn held both the middleweight and welterweight belts. The Vanguard regrets the error.

Spirit Mountain hosts Caged Combat II

Wanderlei “The Axe-Murderer” Silva makes appearance at sold-out event

Going for the choke: Fighters at Caged Combat II take the fight to the mat.

A packed house witnessed an exciting evening of mixed-martial arts competition Friday night, as United Combat Sports presented Caged Combat II at Spirit Mountain Casino. Fans were treated to a mix of amateur and pro fights, as well as an opportunity to meet special guest and mixed martial arts legend Wanderlei Silva.

The 34-year-old Silva, still considered one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's top contenders, was all smiles before the event, signing autographs and taking photos with fans—a stark contrast from the viscous and seemingly remorseless in-ring reputation that has earned him the moniker "the axe-murderer."

"[Local MMA] events open doors for new fighters," Silva said, who had brought up a handful of fighters from his training camp in Las Vegas to compete at the event. "I love to come to shows like this."

The night opened with seven amateur fights. In the smallest fight of the night, 125-pound competitors Airi Alcaraz and Jessie Lane threw big blows in a three-round battle. Alcaraz controlled the stand-up action, but Lane was able to use his wrestling background to take the fight to the ground and grind out a decision victory.

"With us little guys you know what you're going to get," Lane said. "You're going to get fast pace and hard hits. People think we can't pack a punch, but while one of the big guys hits you with one punch, we're going to hit you five times, so I'll take punches in bunches over power any day."

Later in the night, local-favorite Cameron Holsclaw beat Kelly Nelson via rear-naked choke in the evening's only heavyweight bout. A rematch from their first meeting where Nelson was the victor after a first round knockout, Holsclaw came into this fight with much more focus this time around.

"We [heavyweights] go out there and swing as hard as we can and try to knock each other's heads off," Holsclaw said. "And if you can get two big heavyweights rolling around, doing some wrestling, and doing some jits, well, then that's something you don't see every day."

The first of four pro fights saw Matt Slasser and Nate Becker trading shots in a 145-pound competition. Making his debut as a professional, Slasser was quicker, tighter and sharper with his strikes, knocking out Becker with a left hook almost four minutes in the first round.

"I've never knocked anyone out before like that in a fight, so it's been a long time coming," Slasser said. "I was pretty nervous before, but after that win, I'm just feeling really excited."

145-pounder Jason Gybles defeated Silva trainee John George in the night's bloodiest battle. A wicked back-and-forth fight that eventually saw George submitting to a rear-naked choke in a puddle of his own blood.

"It's incredible," Gybles said with pride. "To know that the guy trains with world-class people, getting into a cage with him is a very intimidating feeling, but in the end it doesn't matter who you train with, it matters who you are."

However, the best was saved for last, as the main event provided a thrilling finish. Silva-product Massimo Capsuela faced off against possible UFC prospect Jake Mcknight in a 155-pound competition. Capsuela rocked McKnight on multiple occasions and was winning the fight, until the veteran McKnight capitalized on a mistake by the younger Capsuela, catching him in a triangle choke for the come-from-behind win.

"I wasn't ready for his power and he came out and beat the [snot] out of me," McKnight said. "I was thinking ‘quit hitting me,' cause it hurts...I'm not a triangle choke guy. I would never go into a fight saying that I wanted to triangle someone...I just got lucky."

"[Capsuela] is a great fighter," McKnight added. "I have a lot of respect for him."

After the fight, the 33-year-old McKnight showed the sportsmanship and camaraderie that's often overlooked by critics of the sport, graciously giving his opponent credit and offering Capsuela advice from his own experiences.

"I'm not in this to be the bully on the block, I'm in this because I love to compete," McKnight said. "It's a sport that I felt like I was able to do well at. I have no interest in fighting on the streets, because I do this every day in the gym with my friends. I like to [compete] in front of people, entertain them, its a sport to me; it's not just about fighting."

Despite the losses by his fighters, Silva was proud of their performances and looks forward to other local shows by United Combat Sports.

"Congratulations on the event, it's a nice place and there were some great fights tonight," Silva said. "I have two other guys that I want to try and bring up for another show."■

Event Results:

Bout 1 - 155 lbs
Mike Frear (1-0, DFCC) def Cody Elder (1-1, Competitors Club) by Armbar @ 1:45 Rd 2
Bout 2 - 170 lbs
John Constine (2-0, Valor) def Kole Dixon (Debut, Dog Pound) by Unanimous Decision (All judges 30-27)
Bout 3 - 205 lbs
Ransen Rodrigues (Debut, Valor) def Ray Garcia (Debut, Impact JJ) by TKO (Fighter didn't answer bell for Rd 3)
Bout 4 - 185 lbs
Tommy Grajo (2-1, Team Quest) def Kash Raymond (3-2, Team Chaos) by KO @ 0:15 Rd 1
Bout 5 - 125 lbs
Jessie Lane (4-2, Dog Pound) def Airi Alcaraz (2-1) by Unanimous Decision (All judges 30-27)
Bout 6 - Heavyweights
Cameron Holsclaw (2-5, Dog Pound) def Kelly Nelson (2-8) by Rear Naked Choke @ 2:03 Rd 2
Bout 7 - 135 lbs
Vince Barner (2-2, Team Chaos) def Jessee Filan (4-6, DFCC) by Guillotine Choke @ 1:57 Rd 1
Bout 8 - PRO 145 lbs
Matt Slosser (Pro Debut, Team Chaos) def Nate Becker (2-2, Team Asylum) by KO @ 3:55 Rd 1
Bout 9 - PRO 145 lbs
Jason Gybles (2-0, Desert Dogs) def John George (2-1, Wande Fight Team) by Rear Naked Choke @ 1:58 Rd 2
Bout 10 - PRO 170 lbs
Nick Gilardi (Next Level MMA) def Chris Ensley by Armbar @ 3:12 Rd 1
Bout 11 - PRO 155 lbs
Jake McKnight (4-1, Team Chaos) def Massimo Capussela (2-1, Wande Fight Team) by Triangle Choke @ 3:20 Rd 1

Passion, competition on display at Caged at the Coast

Two title belts won in sold-out show at Chinook Winds Casino and Convention Center

KO: Mixed-martial arts fighter Tyler Hayes delivers a knockout punch to Kevin DeWeese seven seconds into the first round during an undercard match at Caged at the Coast 3 on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of FCFF)

Doug Steinbach doesn't exactly fit the stereotype of a cage fighter. He's not some savage alpha-male who's raging for blood, operating solely on his animal instincts.

In fact, Steinbach comes across as quite a gentle, polite and kind individual. He's articulate and thoughtful, and surprisingly soft-spoken for someone who wants to fight for a living.

"It's the competition that really appeals to me," said 32-year-old Steinbach.

Steinbach trains at Next Level MMA in Tigard six days per week, and hopes to become a full-time professional fighter soon. However, according to the rules set by the Oregon State Athletic Commission, Steinbach fights at amateur status and not for pay in events like Full Contact Fighting Federation's Caged at the Coast 3, hosted at Chinook Winds Casino.

Steinbach also works part-time as an electrician and is a father with a growing family to support; his second child is on the way. The fact that Steinbach is competing for the FCFF Middleweight Championship in the main event of the fight card makes no difference, either.

"It's like any other sport. You have to pay your dues and work your way up before you become a pro," Kevin Keeney, promoter and co-founder of the FCFF said. "The [Ultimate Fighting Championship] doesn't just want anybody off the streets coming in and considering themselves a pro fighter."

The FCFF is the premiere amateur mixed-martial arts promotion in the Northwest and has hosted over 75 shows throughout Oregon. Fighters compete with dreams of becoming a UFC star or simply making a stable income from mixed-martial arts. Keeney and his partner, UFC top contender and long-time friend Chael Sonnen, provide experience and exposure for the local up-and-coming talent. Operating now for nearly a decade, the FCFF has helped to make local MMA one of the hottest events in the Northwest today.

"Get your tickets early, because they don't last long," Sonnen advised.

Events like Caged provide a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere in which fans applaud the passion and determination that the competitors show. And the athletes almost always hug, smile and shake hands after each fight—a strange interaction after seeing them throwing punches at each other just moments before.

"There's nothing like it," Keeney said loudly over the music and cheers in the background. "It's simply a great atmosphere."

The 15-match Caged at the Coast 3 event kicked off with a bang with a 170-pound welterweight competition that was an example of the sudden emotional rush an MMA event can create. Beaverton-based fighter Craig Jordan landed a knee-strike to the head of Murray Couture, sending him to the ground. Jordan wasted little time securing top position, landing a few devastating shots to his opponent's head before the referee stopped the fight at 1:31 in the first round. Jordan jumped to his feet and screamed in celebration with the crowd screaming back in approval.

Some fights provided the more unexpected. Emily Whitmire is an attractive woman, sweet and approachable, but she also happens to enjoy a good cage fight now and then. Whitmire is out to prove that women should be taken seriously in the sport of MMA.

"A [lot of people] think this should be a male-dominated sport, but the women are just as competitive as the men."

Whitmire took on Sarah Mcleod in the only female competition of the night. Mcleod landed a couple shots as the two women exchanged on their feet early, but Whitmire quickly resorted to her wrestling advantage, taking the fight to the ground, and securing a rear-naked choke for the first-round victory.

"She can definitely hit really hard," Whitmire said after the fight.

In the co-main event, heavyweight champion Paul Hasslen faced off against No. 1 contender Damion Martindale, but the fight ended quickly in the first round, as Hasslen suddenly tapped out after an injury. Although he expects a rematch down the road, Martindale was proud to be the new champion as he held up the belt for the fans.

"We're up here for the entertainment of the people," Martindale said. "It feels great; there's not a better feeling in the world."

Steinbach waited patiently in the locker room while the other fights went on, but finally it was his time. With his friends and family supporting him in the crowd, Steinbach made his walk to the cage for the last fight of the evening.

In the middleweight championship, Steinbach faced a younger fighter he had known from high school, the undefeated Chris Kidby. In a physical and grueling contest, Kidby dominated the first round, taking Steinbach down twice. However, Steinbach was able to stuff many of Kidby's takedown attempts and work his way back to his feet.

"I knew he was going to go for the takedown," Steinbach said. "So I just wanted to make him work for it as much as possible."

"I thought I was going to have the strength advantage, but he was a lot stronger than I thought he was going to be," Steinbach admitted. "He was also really quick and explosive, so in the first round I was basically defending his [takedown] shots."

After losing the first round, Steinbach said he knew he had to somehow steal the second.

As the next round began, Kidby took Steinbach down again. But Steinbach was able to work his way to the side of Kidby's body into half-guard, slipping around and suddenly climbing Kidby's back. Kidby was flat on his stomach, head down, arms defending his face, as Steinbach wrapped himself around his opponent's waist like a python, sitting atop his lower back.

"Mainly, I was thinking about staying on his back and not losing my position." Steinbach recalled. "I didn't want to hit him in the back of the head and lose the position from the ref, so I started throwing punches underneath his arm to try get his chin, then he picked his head up slightly and it let me slip my arm under to get the choke."

The larger and younger Kidby tapped out, losing to submission from a rear-naked choke for the first loss of his career.

"It sucks; I've lost in other sports also and it doesn't get any easier," Kidby said. "I'll get back in the gym and I [should] have another fight around January."

After the fight, Steinbach celebrated his first championship belt with his friends, family and many of his fellow fighters. Steinbach not only showed guts and heart in his comeback win, but also fought through a crack ribbed attained at some point during the match. He is an example of the competitive spirit of the sport, a gentleman who helps to break the mistaken stereotype that fighters are simply violent brutes.

Cage fighting isn't for everyone, but if you're opened-minded and looking for an exciting atmosphere, attending local mixed-martial arts shows might pack the right punch.

"It is violence, and if you're against any violence, then don't come," Sonned said. "The truth is, we'll sell out with or without you." ■

Event Results:

Nov 6, 2010

Middleweight Championship
Doug Steinbach def. Chris Kidby - 1:11 of Rd. 2 Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke
Doug Steinbach is the new FCFF Middleweight Champion

Heavyweight Championship
Damion Martindale def. Paul Hasslen - :43 of Rd. 1 Verbal Submission due to a broken rib
Damion Marindale retains FCFF Heavyweight Championship

Undercard
135 Craig Jordan def. Murry Couture - 1:31 of Rd. 1 TKO
145 Rex Foulk def. Patrick Ryan - 2:08 of Rd. 1 TKO
170 John Garcia def. Robert Gamble - :45 of Rd. 2 Tapout due to choke
175 Pat Ryan def. Zach Ziegler - 2:13 of Rd. 1 KO
185 Josh Hitsman def. Michael Saiville - 2:04 of Rd. 1 TKO
SHWT Steven Hall def. Nathan Elyson - :26 of Rd. 1 KO
185 Chris Moran def. Tony Blomstrom - 2:51 of Rd. 1 Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke
145 Tyler Hayes def. Kevin DeWeese - :07 of Rd. 1 KO
155 Josh Busby def. William HIll - 1:01 of Rd. 1 Tapout due to armbar
HWT Jeremy Morse def. Jared Matthews - :47 of Rd. 1 Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke
185 Nathan Allen def. Eli Peterson - :58 of Rd. 3 Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke
125 Female: Emily Whitmire def. Sarah McLeod - :46 of Rd. 1 Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke