Saturday night, Sept. 12, 2009 was 1 Zero 8's night. With electricity floating in the air, fans lined up to get a coveted seat to watch Kansas City's most exciting mixed martial arts fights. The venue was packed with energy, in front of a sell out crowd. 108 Promotions did not disappoint!
It was a night packed with great matchmaking that had an unprecedented five fights go the distance. Two title fights were also up for grabs as Andrew Tyson defended his 1 Zero 8 lightweight belt, along with his teammate, Jett Jones who will be fighting for the 185 lbs. title in the main event.
The sell out crowd got every penny's worth, as they enjoyed a beautiful fall evening with a fight card that matched any pay-per view event.
Starting off the night was Jacob Akin vs. Kevin Fuller. Fuller 4-1 was no slouch entering the fight. However, Akin proved his worth as he easily took Fuller down in the opening round and worked his excellent jujitsu skills until he tapped Fuller out with a rear naked choke. After the fight, Akin insinuated to the promoters that he wanted a title fight. Looks like that wish may have to come soon as Akin dismantled every opponent 108 has pitted him up against.
Jina Cole and Erin Harris were the lone female mma match of the evening. It was a close fight and went the distance with Harris appearing at times, to end the fight in the second round. In the end though, it was Cole who took the split decision. Great job by both ladies, and the crowd were on their feet this entire fight!
Chris Clemmons and Andrew Swafford fought a grueling match as the Jujitsu black belt (Clemmons) was pitted against outstanding Greco-Roman wrestler Swafford. Ironically, the fight never went to the ground as Clemmons outpointed Swafford on his feet to take the unanimous decision.
Horacio Escobar took a disappointing split decision loss to Andrew Ripley, in a fight that could've gone either way. Great showing by both competitors. Win or lose, Escobar always is a class act. Too bad more fighters don't take his example in victory or defeat. Escobar's teammate Mike Salmon, on the other hand, could rub opponents and the crowd the wrong way, settled for a draw against a three round battle with John Ford. Ford was bloodied in the third round from a controversial punch outside the ring by Salmon.
Showered with boos from the crowd, Salmon shrugged it off and finished the third round strong. Referee Chuck Wolfe deducted a point from Salmon that eventually led to a draw by the judges. Regardless of Salmon's inside the ring antics, he's proven to be force at 160 lbs. and continues to prove his legitimacy. Ford also fought a great fight and by some, should've taken the victory.
Phil Morgan and Aaron Johnson fought an exhibition Muay Thai fight that ended quickly in the second round. Johnson simply took too many heavy punches from Morgan that finally floored him in the second round.
Eric Ulleberg had a big crowd behind him as he TKO'd Cody Newsome in the second round. Very impressive showing.
Crowd favorite Austin Call impressively dismantled Chad Courter in the first round with a TKO. A Uriah Faber lookalike, Call looked every bit of the former WEC featherweight champ in this match.
Chris French who's cardio is never in question, dominated his opponent Alex Peterson for three rounds to take the unanimous decision. French has a very bright future in mma. He's charismatic and seems to have a lot of fans.
The sleeper of the night was Doug Thompson who made it look easy beating tough guy Heath Finkemeier. Finkemeier was on a 2-0 winning streak before running into Thompson. To Finkemeier's defense, he dislocated his right elbow seconds into the first round that made his right arm virtually useless. Thompson quickly capitalized on the injury to take the mount and TKO over Finkemeier.
Spencer Cox looked incredibly composed against Adam Vega in the next bout that ended with Vega getting TKO'd in the first round. Vega came out charging towards Cox at the opening bell, but Cox was able to circle around Vega and drop some heavy shots. It was over soon afterwards.
PJ O'Neill looked great against Cody Musterman in the next fight. O'Neill displayed great stand up, as he neutralized Musterman's takedowns. In the end, it was O'Neill who locked in a vicious guillotine choke that had Musterman's neck twisted to the side. Musterman looked like he went limp after the choke was locked in.
Seth Stanley succumbed to a rear naked choke in the second round at the hands of James Fuller. Stanley who came into the fight 9 lbs. heavier than Fuller appeared to could've ended it in the second round with ground and pound. However, Fuller's heart was the deciding factor as he reversed Stanley's mount and sunk in the fight ending choke. Great fight by Fuller!
Andrew Tyson was the co-main event as he defended his 108 Title against Tim Witte. Witte a title holder from a different mma organization appeared bigger than Tyson at the staredown. Soon after the bell rang, it was clear who was the stronger man in this matchup. Tyson stuck to his winning formula and took his opponent down submitting Witte with a rear naked choke in the first round. Tyson made it look easy, but beating Witte is no small task.
In the main event, journeyman Bill Folsom quickly got the crowd behind him with his walkout song "I shot a man in Reno" by Johnny Cash. But, he needed more than the crowd's cheers to beat Jett Jones. Jones undefeated since dropping to 185 lbs. is a force to be reckoned with. Fighting for the prestigious 108 Title, both men were ready for war.
Folsom charged out of the corner with a spectacular takedown but was unable to neutralize Jones' superior jujitsu. Fighting his way out a triangle choke and armbar, Folsom avoided both submissions. Give Folsom credit because Jones sunk in a really deep triangle that appeared to put Folsom to sleep. Folsom proved tough as he continued to work his takedowns.
Jones was able to deal with Folsom's takedowns in the first and second round before sinking in a beautiful reverse triangle choke in the third round. Reminiscent of BJ Penn's reverse triangle choke on Matt Hughes. The difference was, Folsom tapped. Props to both fighters but it was Jones who was better tonight.
Jett Jones is crowned 1 Zero 8's 185 lbs. Champion. Congrats to Jones for his hardwork, dedication, and great sportsmanship. Always a class act!
