Xplode Fight Series 3 results of January 21, 2012 at Valley Center
After the bout ended, you could see the frustration on Mike De La Torre’s face (R). There was no way he wanted to be stopped by Kris “the Red Rooster” Armbrister. Then, to make matters worse, he had to stand there while his opponent went through his theatrics. Photo: Jim Wyatt
No matter where the Xplode Fight Series shows are held, no matter how uncomfortable the weather, it’s a given you’re going to see 1,750 to 2,000 gung-ho MMA fans in attendance. Like the first two shows, the third was back at the Pavillion on Paradise Mountain Road in Valley Center, CA.
In Bout #1, Richard Sansoucie (1-0) (right) of Twentynine Palms, CA had to settle for an unanimous decision victory over the never say quit, 33 year-old veteran Tony Dalton (2-9) (center) from Riverside, CA. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Marcelo Mafra is shown with his support group after defeating Michael Ferguson with an Armbar at the 2:15 mark of Round #1. Photo: Jim Wyatt.
By late afternoon, the temperature in these back woods was 48 degrees and expected to drop to 34. The 30 macho competitors and their corner people appeared unfazed by the weather but it was a different story for the ring card girls who began to wrap themselves in blankets. But as they so often say in show business, the show must go on.
In Bout #2, Marcelo Franca Mafra (2-0-0) of Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai in Victorville, CA got what appeared to be an easy win after forcing Michael Ferguson of Hand to Hand Martial Arts Academy in the city of Twentynine Palms, CA to tap out at 2:15 of Round #1. Ferguson was making his professional debut.
Marcelo Mafra (L) has his arm raised after defeating Michael Ferguson (R) in Bout #2 of the third installment of the XFS3, Xplode Fight Series 3 in Valley Center, CA on Saturday, January 21, 2012 Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #3, Derek Anderson (4-0) of Team Xplode MMA, San Diego, won by knockout over Jeremy Michur (0-2) of Twentynine Palms, CA. At 1:40 of the first round, Anderson caught Michur with a calamitous knee to the nose which sent Michur to the canvas. Photo: Jim Wyatt
After knocking Jeremy Michur out in Bout #3, Derek Anderson was joined by his support group. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Jeremy Michur leaves the octagon with complications to his nose after being caught by the devastating knee from Derek Anderson. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4 featured Rich Power (2-0), who stands 6’3” tall and is as strong as an ox. For the majority of this bout, we saw him hovering over Mike Smith who was the victim of several takedowns. Although it didn’t appear to be so, Smith, who trains with Fight Club 29 in Twentynine Palms, CA, was supposedly making his pro-debut. If this is the case, he must have been one heck of an amateur.
After their hotly contested bout, Rich Power (R) with the shiner and Mike Smith, both true warriors, show their mutual respect. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #4, Rich Power (L), who is also a very good professional boxer, gets the KO win at :11 of Round #2 over Mike Smith (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bronson Casarez, who has three KOs in three fights, has his arm raised in victory after defeating Billy Kelley who was making his debut in Bout #5.
Billy Kelley, who was making his professional debut got caught by a vicious kick to the head at :55 of the first round. Photo: Jim Wyatt
After his dramatic KO loss to Bronson Casarez of Riverside Submission in Bout #5, Billy Kelley (0-1) was in need of medical attention. While Kelley goes to 0-1, Casarez’s record improves to 3-0.
Ecstatic about his win over Leo Franklin in Bout #6, Atiq Jihad climbs up on the top of the cage to celebrate. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #6 winner Atiq Jihad (R) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Leo Franklin (L) in their super welterweight bout. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #7, Shane Kruchten (7-2) defeated the formidable Doug Trotter (0-2) of Dirty Tactics MMA with a Bulldog Choke at 1:54 of Round #2. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Merwyn “Chino” Rivera (L), and Miguel Rojas (R) await the announcement that Rivera has won Bout #8. Photo: Jim Wyatt
It took Merwyn “Chino” Rivera (1-1) all of eight seconds to get the best of Miguel Rojas in Bout #8. Rojas, who was making his MMA debut, got caught by a kick to the head and then Rivera pounced on him to deliver some hammer punches before the referee stepped in to call a halt to the bout.
Mike Zamorano (L) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Giovanni Davis (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #9 Mike “The Riot” Zamorano (2-2) of The Arena MMA Gym in Point Loma had no problem defeating Giovanni Davis (0-2) after a quick takedown and several powerful strikes to the head. The bout only lasted 43 seconds. So far Davis has yet to get out of the first round.
The winner of Bout #10, Brodie Farber, of Tiger Muy Thai in Grass Valley, CA has his arm raised in victory after defeating Travis McCullough of Tower City, North Dakota. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #10, the 10 year veteran, Brodie Farber (15-6), upended Travis McCullough by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:11 of the first round. After the two quick takedowns this bout was officially over.
McCullough, who’s 6’ 5” tall, has a record of 19-33-0 with 26 submission losses. For a fighter who’s 1-12 in his last 13 bouts, you have to tip your hat to him for his steadfast, never give up attitude.
Danny “The Gremlin” Martinez (front) (15-4-0) may not have even broken a sweat in his quick annihilation of Nick Boyd who is getting an assist as he leaves the cage. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #11, Danny “The Gremlin” Martinez (15-4-0) of the Alliance Training Center, Chula Vista, CA by way of Tempe, Arizona made quick work of Nick Boyd. You talk about getting your feet wet. Boyd was making his MMA debut. The bout was stopped from an accumulation of punches at 1:49 of Round #1.
Joe Barajas (L) of Xplode MMA in Escondido gets the win over Brady Harrison (R) of Fight Ugly in San Diego . Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #12, Joe Barajas (6-0) of Team Xplode MMA, Escondido, CA, had to go the distance with Brady Harrison (8-7) of Fight Ugly, San Diego, CA. to win his unanimous decision. Harrison, a wily veteran who stands 6’3” tall, is one of the best when it comes to defense and preventing the takedown. And once you get that takedown, he’s likely to get a reversal.
After his victory in Bout #13, Armando Contreras exited the Octagon and walked shirtless through the crowd to the rear exit. When reaching that exit, the difference in the outside temperature and his warm body created a cloud of steam emanating from his body creating this surreal photo affect. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #13 cruiserweight Armando Contreras of Team Magnitude (L) defeated Joshua Aveles of Team Diamond (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #13 cruiserweights Armando Contreras (3-1) of Team Magnitude of Upland, CA beat Joshua Aveles (2-7-1) of Team Diamond, Rancho Cucamonga, CA by Armbar submission at 2:39 of the first round.
Contreras was making his return to the Cage after a three and a half year absence. During that same period of time, Aveles’ record was an abysmal 1-7-1.
After their battle in Bout #14, Kevin Michel (L) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Brad Gambrell. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #14 Kevin Michel got the win by Guillotine Choke over Brad Gambrell of Silverlakes, CA at 2:20 of the second round.
This was not an easy victory for Michel. For a long while, the fighters traded blows, kicks, takedowns and reversals. Everyone, from the coaches to the fighters applauded the gritty effort of Gambrell who when in the grip of this bout ending choke hold refused to tap out. Instead he went unconscious.
After Bout #15, the Main Event of the evening, ended by submission (Triangle Choke), you could see the frustration on Mike “El Cucuy” De La Torre’s face. There was no way he wanted to be stopped by Kris “the Red Rooster” Armbrister who in fact was the best fighter on this night. Then to make matters worse, he had to stand there while his opponent went through his theatrics.
For sure De La Torre (8-3-0), who’s part of the proud Team Hurricane Awesome from the San Diego Combat Academy, was groaning under his breathe, “How much more of this can I take?”
Striking the perfect pose is what Kris Armbrister does best.
Kris Armbrister over Mike De La Torre to win the 155 pound XFS Middleweight title.
Never satisfied, it appeared Armbrister wanted even more crowd noise from his adoring fans/subjects.
In one photo, it appears Armbrister is giving the crowd his best “I’m bad, don’t cha know? I’m the baddest dude on the planet.”
After his win in Bout #15, the unpretentious Kris Armbrister, the new XFS Middleweight Champion, strikes the different poses he would like to see on a bronze statue erected in front of City Hall.
Armbrister (now 7-1) of the San Diego Fight Club in El Cajon, CA, went about the Octagon striking one formidable pose after another. You would have thought he was doing an impression of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Perhaps he was.
Xplode Fight Series – Brutal Conduct from 16×9 Studios.
