Xplode Amateur Fight Series results June 16, 2012
After Benji Gomez’s big win over Luis Ruvalcaba in the Xplode Amateur Fight Series Co-main event at Valley Center on Saturday, his gleeful support group goes bananas. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Once again the Xplode Fight Series was out on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation in Valley Center, California with an entertaining lineup of MMA fights and as a bonus threw in two Muay Thai clashes.
After getting the win over Christian Meza (R) in Bout #1, a Muay Thai contest, Jojo Guilammuer (L) has his arm raised by referee Ben Lagman (C). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #1
In a three round hotly contested Muay Thai contest Jojo Guilammuer of Team Machine, Costa Mesa, CA gained a split decision victory over Christian Meza of Victory MMA, Point Loma, CA. This one featured many momentum swings and while Meza overwhelmed his opponent with close-in knee kicks, the judges gave more credence to Guilammuer’s punching power.
In Bout #2, it was Jesse Strader (L) getting the early submission victory over Victor Borayo (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Jesse Strader (R) poses for a photo with his oh-so-proud coach. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #2
Jesse Strader of Kemos Fight Factory, Lancaster, CA looked quite impressive in his first round submission victory over Victor Borayo of Fight Ugly, San Diego, CA. There wasn’t a moment when Strader wasn’t in charge of the fight and 90% of the time from the top mount.
According to Strader’s coach, the ex-high school wrestler is a quick learner (the Fight Factory has only been training Strader for eight months) and he’s a gifted, natural fighter.
Ben Koshaba (R) gets the win over Alex Francis (L) in Bout #3. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #3 winner Ben Koshaba is surrounded by members of the Undisputed Downtown MMA team plus Gregg Sharp the Xplode Series CEO. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #3
Alex Francis (0-1) of the Compound took on Ben Koshaba of the Undisputed Fitness and Training Center at 16th and K streets in San Diego’s Downtown.
Early on Francis’ technique was better plus he got the first takedown. Then in the second and third stanzas, it was all Koshaba. After first getting the takedown and top position, the pummeling of Francis began and it was relentless. How he survived the punches to the head or why the referee allowed it to go the distance is a mystery.
In Bout #4, it was Brandon Sheard (second from the right) getting the TKO win over Jamal Harris (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4
Jamal Harris of the Compound, Oceanside, CA took on Brandon Sheard of the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.
With little of no defense, the two gents went toe to toe firing away. Within a short time it was clear Harris was getting the worst of it and the referee was quick to step in and call a halt to the bout.
Victor Rosas (L) has his arm raised by referee Ben Lagman after he defeated the durable Cameron Young (R) in Bout #5. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #5
Victor Rosas of Xplode MMA, Escondido, CA went up against Cameron Young of American Fortitude MMA of Santee, CA who was making his debut.
In Round #1, Rosas hit Young with everything, from the sidewinder kicks to both the midsection and legs, to the big overhand rights to his face. How Young was able to survive that first round and subsequent rounds is simply amazing. As you might expect, Rosas got an unanimous decision over the courageous Mr. Young.
Both Irvin Reyes (L), the eventual winner, and Jonathan Lopez (R) await the judges scores for their explosive Muay Thai match Saturday, June 16, 2012 in Bout #6. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #6
Again, the show featured a Muay Thai fight. This one had Irvin Reyes of Xplode MMA going up against Jonathan Lopez of Fight Ugly, San Diego, CA.
What’s interesting about this contest? Just prior to the start of show, Lopez was in the crowd getting set to watch the matches with his Uncle and cousin. Then came word that Reyes’ opponent was a no-show.
Asked if he could fill in, Lopez jumped at the chance and off went his uncle to get his fight gear. The fact Lopez had trained only six months and his opponent had 15 months of training, never entered into the conversation.
If Lopez had beaten Reyes, it would have been one of those tales you could brag about for years. Unlike the Hollywood script, Reyes dominated all three rounds to get the unanimous decision win.
Nick Kaluza (L) gets the big win over Abraham Nava (R) in Bout #7. Photo: Jim Wyatt
After his win, Nick Kaluza is joined by his support staff from the Compound in Oceanside, Ca. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #7
Featured Nick Kaluza of the Compound in Oceanside, CA going up against Abraham Nava of Knuckle Heads.
Kaluza got off to a rocky start in this one after getting tagged by a straight right hand which knocked him off his feet and then Nava, in his Tarzan-like trunks, scored two takedowns. Despite being manhandled by the bigger man early, Kaluza kept his cool, stood his ground and ended up getting the tap-out by way of a crafty chokehold.
Both Matt Dematteis (L), the submission winner in Bout #8, and Cory Wilson (R) await the official announcement. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #8
At first it appeared Corey Wilson of Victory MMA, Point Loma, CA would dominate Matt Dematteis of the Pilot Built Training Center, Oceanside, CA. Both his punches and a high kick landed with precision and before you knew it he had a strong takedown.
As they eased into Round #2, Wilson got caught with a shot to the groin and the referee called for a stoppage to give him the allotted time to recover. From that point on, Dematteis became the more energetic fighter. Soon after he had Wilson on the ground giving the referee a verbal submission.
At the conclusion of Bout #9, Ray Mc Cleary (R) has his arm raised by referee Ben Lagman (C) after it was announced Mc Cleary had received an unanimous decision win over Steve Haskins (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #9
Ray McCleary of the Undisputed Fitness and Training Center in San Diego’s Downtown took on Steve Haskins of Riverside Submission, Riverside, CA.
Aside from an early first round takedown and pummeling of Haskins by McCleary, this one was all about defense and since both did a great job of preventing takedowns or an opportunity for a decent chokehold, this bout wasn’t as entertaining as the others. In the end, the judges gave the decision to McCleary who was the aggressor throughout and appeared to control the action.
Brian Leslie (R), the eventual winner of Bout 10, and Terry Hublard (L) await the official announcement. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #10
Terry Hublard of the U. S. Marine Corps Fighting Team had a rough go against Brian Leslie of the Gracie Barra Gym on Morena Blvd. in San Diego, CA.
After Leslie gained top position twice, along came the rear naked choke and it was a done deal.
The most dramatic win came by way of knockout when Mike Andaya caught Miguel Hernandez square on the chin in Bout #11. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Fighters Mike Andaya (L), the KO winner, and Miguel Hernandez, the recipient of that hard shot to the head, await the official announcement. Photo: Jim Wyatt (R)
After knocking his opponent out, Mike Andaya (C) is joined by his coach Johnny Hughes and members of the Xplode MMA fight team. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #11
Mike Andaya (1-0) of Xplode MMA, Escondido, CA took on Miguel Hernandez of American Fortitude MMA Academy in Santee, CA who was making his debut. This one ended quickly with Andaya catching Hernandez with a straight right to the chin for the knockout.
Bout 12 winner Marcos Rubio (R) has his arm raised by the referee Ben Lagman (C) and Xplode Series CEO Gregg Sharp (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
After his big win, Marcos Rubio (C) is joined by his coaches Ramiro Rodriguez (R) and Jhanex Alviz (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #12
Since starting out Marcos Rubio, an undefeated Independent, has preferred to travel from gym to gym to learn from a variety of coaches. Amazingly, his approach has worked. Jake Howland (4-2), his opponent on Saturday night, trains at the Compound in Oceanside, CA.
Early on, Howland landed the cleaner shots and got the first takedown to gain top position. Then all of a sudden, there it was, Rubio pulling out the submission victory.
Zac Savage (L) makes his entrance for Bout #13 against Adam Gould. Photo: Jim Wyatt
At the conclusion of Bout 13, Adam Gould (L) and Zac Savage (R), the winner by submission await the official announcement. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Before leaving the cage, Zac Savage (C) is joined by his support group, Johnny Hajjo (L), one of the owners of the Black House Team Nogueira gym and his coach, Erin Beach (R).
With the big win, Zac Savage had his family join him inside the cage for a photo.
Bout #13
In the main event of the evening, Zac Savage (aka Zac Shepard) of the Black House Team Nogueira Gym, Miramar Road, San Diego, CA made quick work of Adam Gould of Five Star MMA in Santee, CA by getting his opponent to Tapout after masterfully catching Gould in the rare Flying Triangle. In the process, Savage had to endure four to five direct hits to the head whiling pulling Gould’s head down. See for yourself in this video supplied by one of his friends.
It goes without saying Mr. Savage is special, especially as it pertains to the ground game and BJJ. From all accounts he’s a recent arrival from Oahu, Hawaii and chasing his dream to make it big in the world of MMA.
After defeating Luis Ruvalcaba (L) in Bout #14, Benji Gomez (R) has his arm raised by referee Ben Lagman (C). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #14
The Co-main event was a 135 pound title fight between Luis Ruvalcaba (2-0) of Xplode MMA, Escondido, CA and Benji Gomez (9-2) of Knuckleheadz Boxing & MMA, Ventura, CA.
What makes Gomez so tough is the fact he’s a southpaw, has at least eight years of wrestling experience (a CIF title holder) and now two years fighting in CAMO (the California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization).
Ruvalcaba, who benefits from a longer arm reach, is also a good striker, but he lacks that same experience on the ground. He’s only been competing in MMA for six months.
In Round #1, Gomez caught Ruvalcaba with a finger to the eye which interrupted the action. Aside from this mishap, the round was evenly contested. Their looping KO punches continued into Round #2 with several Gomez takedowns with an almost immediate reversal by Ruvalcaba.
Like the other rounds, the final round was almost dead even with the judges having to weigh the importance of three kicks and one solid punch by Ruvalcaba versus a late takedown by Gomez. You could see it in the faces of the fight fans and judges, another round would have helped eased the pressure of deciding this razor thin contest.
In the end, the judges were split with two judges scoring the bout for Gomez and one siding with Ruvalcaba.
The next show:
The next Xplode Fight Series show is on Friday, Jun 22, 2012 at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA. It will feature many top-notch professionals like Shane Kruchten of The Arena MMA in Point Loma defending his 145 pound belt against Jason Miknuk of the Compound in Oceanside, CA. They’ll also have Carlos Baruch of City Boxing, San Diego in the 170 pound division facing Nick Barnes of the Undisputed Fitness & Training Center in San Diego’s Downtown.
