Tim Payne Promotions: "Caged Combat II"

Highland Heights, Ohio
Team Energenics Conditioning Center

Caged Combat II was held November 10, 2007 at the Team Energenics training facility in Highland Heights, Ohio. Team Griffon-Rawl was well represented, placing fighters in six of the ten match-ups. Jim Payne, Miguel Defina, AJ Carl and John Strmac returned to the cage, while Brian McCrosky and Nick Killian made their debuts. Brian McCrosky made his debut at 170lbs versus Steve Ganzorn. Brian was ready to go, but early in the first round Steve was able to land a hard right to the jaw that sent Brian to the canvass. Although Brian appeared to be gathering himself, the referee immediately jumped in and called a stop to the contest. It was a good stoppage, with fighter safety being paramount. Brian is a beast and will back in action soon.John Strmac was pitted against Edison “Puerto Rican Thunder” Martinez at 140lbs. Using his reach, John stayed outside landing hard Thai kicks to the legs and circling away from Edison’s power. John closed the distance and maintained control against the cage until the fight went to the ground. Round two went much the same way as round one. Round three started much the same way but ended with John fighting off a Guillotine submission attempt. John received a unanimous decision over Martinez after three rounds. AJ Carl bumped a weight class to face David Himes at 155lbs. AJ wasted no time in getting the action started by executing a beautiful takedown from half way across the cage and moved quickly to the mount position. He unleashed a barrage of rights and lefts, “riding” Himes as he tried to escape. The referee jumped in calling a stop to the action at 1:00 of the very first round, giving AJ a win via TKO.Nick Killian’s debut at 195lbs was only surpassed by how he took the fight. Out on a date Friday night, Nick was literally called at the last minute as a replacement to face Mike Blankenship on Saturday. With only hours to mentally prepare, Nick showed no signs of a rookie. He handled the first round, landing a beautiful cross and executing solid takedowns, controlling his opponent from the top position. Nick again came out strong, taking the fight to the ground where he unloaded causing the referee to stop the contest at 14 seconds into round two.Fighting at 170lbs, Miguel Defina was pitted against Mike Rinkers. Miguel was part of the fight of the night at Tim Payne’s last promotion. This time, Miguel was determined to finish this fight with a win and came out with unbelievable intensity. Once the bell rang, Miguel pressed the action, taking the fight to the ground where he quickly mounted Rinkers and set up a beautifully executed arm bar causing Rinkers to tap at 1:06 of the first round.In the main event at 185lbs, Jim Payne danced with Eddy Gonzales momentarily before landing a nice double-leg take down and secured side control. Fighting off a Guillotine attempt, Jim was able to maneuver to the mount position with Eddy pinned against the cage. From here, the blows came hard, often, and accurate with Jim landing upwards of 20 shots before the Eddy tapped out to strikes stopping the contest at 1:04 of the very first round.Tim Payne’s second show, (renamed “Caged Combat”) was an even better success than the first (previously named “Criminal Combat”) event. Again held at Team Energenics, there was a standing room only crowd this time around. The facility was again great with most fans being close to the action. It was clear Jason Dent and the other instructors prepared Griffon-Rawl fighters well as the team went 5-1 on the night. Tim’s next show is slated for sometime in February 2008.Written by: John Strmac Complete Results:Ron Counter def Rocco DeTillio by Unanimous Decision Chris Vespoint def Kris Morin by Split Decision Steve Ganzhorn def Brian McCrosky by TKO John Strmac def Edison Martinez by Unanimous Decision Shane Lehman def Dana Coon by Guillotine Choke AJ Carl def David Himes by TKO Nick Kilian def Mike Blankenship by TKO Miguel Defina def Michael Rinkes by Arm Bar JR Garbo def David Baker by Kimura Jim Payne def Eddie Gonzales by Submission to Strikes

NAAFS "Caged Fury 3"

Cleveland, Ohio
Masonic Temple

GriffonRawl professionals Jason “Dynamite” Dent and Donny “Eagle Eye” Walker were the two members representing the team at the Masonic Temple on November 3, 2007.Donny came out with creative fan-fare to face the Cleveland wrestling legend Sonny Marchette (Independent) in a Pro Lightweight Contender’s bout. Sonny showed why he’s an Olympic-level wrestler taking Donny down with ease to start the opening five minutes. Sonny was able to keep dominate control, moving to side position and unleashing a wicked ground and pound throughout the first round. Donny’s experience, heart and toughness were evident as he routinely recovered to full guard position, and defended well. But Sonny kept the relentless attack coming, cutting Donny with a solid elbow requiring a doctor’s approval to continue the first round.Sonny again wanted takedowns with Donny defending much better in the second round before Sonny was able to get the fight down and continue his ground and pound. With Sonny inside the guard, Donny was able to climb his legs up Sonny’s back to a triangle choke position. Donny jockeyed his legs and moved his hips into position, locked the submission in place and forced Marchette to tap out at 2:16 of round two.Technically of Team Instigator, “Cujo” Joe McCall defeated Dominic “The Punisher” Qurazzo by doctor stoppage in the second round. In the post fight interview, Joe took time to explain he had been at Griffon-Rawl for the past month in preparation for this heavyweight bout.The much-hyped and anticipated fight between Jason “Dynamite” Dent and Torrance “The Tyrant” Taylor not only lived up to the hype but will easily be the 2007 NAAFS fight of the year. Dent and Torrance clearly came to fight and fight hard. Early on it was clear Torrance was looking for another knockout, throwing hard rights and kicks at Dent. Jason proved he was up to the standup challenge, keeping the fight standing for most of the first two, five-minute rounds. Both fighters exchanged heavy blows and executed beautiful technique.Dent showed a new element to his game, executing takedowns, including a solid “crotch-lift”. Once the fight hit the ground, Dent was able hold solid position and land wicked knee’s and elbows from all angles, mounting Torrance numerous times. Torrance was scrappy on the bottom and was able to get the fight back standing, where the exchanges continued. Dent appeared to be the fresher of the two fighters throughout the later rounds. Torrance lost his mouthpiece a number of times while Dent kept the pressure on his tough opponent. When the dust settled, a split-decision in favor of Torrance came from the judge’s scorecards. Showing an amount of class and respect unsurpassed in sport, Jason assisted Torrance in putting on the champion’s belt. Torrance showed great sportsmanship as well, stating Dent was by far the toughest man he’d ever fought. As with any split-decision, controversy accompanies. Immediately following, the message board on Pro Karate Weekly was filled with those viewing the fight differently stating their opinions. What was clear is that a rematch is strongly desired at some point.Written by: John Strmac Pro Results:Torrance Taylor def. Jason Dent by Split DecisionJoe McCall def. Dominic Qurazzo by Doctor StoppageDonny Walker def. Sonny Marchette by Triangle ChokeVadim Ivanov def. Dustin Neace by Tapout (Strikes)Amatuer Results:Stipe Miocic def. Matt Lust by KOCody Stevens def. Paul Martin by Guillotine ChokeJohn Myers def. Dan Balon by Unanimous DecisionZack Moomey def. Bo Coleman by Guillotine ChokeJosh Miller def. John Hedges by RNCFrank Carabello def. Okey Lawrence by Guillotine ChokeKevin Rothenhacker def. Charles Cooper by ArmbarEric Rex def. Jerry Barrick by Triangle Choke