108 Promotions finishes strong in 2009! With another great show to add to our resume, 108 Promotions L.L.C. would like to thank all the fans and fighters that have made us one of the best venues in town.
On November 14, 2009, "No Surrender" had to be one the best cards 108 Promotions put together this year. With 3-Title Fights on the line and a night of spectacular MMA action, no one left disappointed.
Horacio Escobar kicked off the night with a slugfest against tough Kevin Fuller. Both men duked it out in the ring with Escobar taking the upperhand in the second round when he dropped Fuller with his trademark right hook. Referee Chuck Wolfe quickly stopped the fight, after Fuller was unable to recover and defend himself from Escobar's vicious ground and pound.
P.J. O'Neill looked extremely impressive against a seasoned Nick Ellison. Ellison who possesses all the potential in the world to be a great fighter, displayed it in the first round against a tough O'Neill. Taking him down with ease, Ellison took the mount and dropped some bombs on O'Neill's face. With tremendous heart, O'Neill endured the beat down until he was finally saved by the bell.
Charging out of his corner in the 2nd round, O'Neill didn't look like the same guy who was just dominated. Tying Ellison up against the ropes, O'Neill ducked under to secure a standing arm triangle choke. In textbook fashion, O'Neill took Ellison down with the choke and quickly secured the tap. It was incredible and O'Neill made a huge statment to the fans with an impressive win over Ellison!
O'Neill was impressive, but Joe Perry looked phenomenal in his first round TKO win over Ben Lindsey. Perry picked apart his opponent with jabs and kicks to the head early in the first round. Give Lindsey credit for enduring so many blows and still able to get the cobwebs out of his head. That was until Perry dazed him with a crushing right hand followed by a beautiful flying knee that dropped Lindsey for good. It had to be one of the most impressive knockouts I've witnessed at a MMA event. Don't believe me, watch the dvd. It was nothing short of spectacular. B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the K.O. This was definitely K.O. of the night.
Anthony Fredericks also won in spectacular fashion against Josh Sullins. With a solid kickboxing background, Fredericks made quick work of Sullins in round one. Charging out of his corner swinging, Fredericks likes to work fast in the opening minutes. Unable to defend Fredericks' punches coming from all angles, Sullins ate at least 10 shots before Fredericks finished him with a goodnite cross to the chin. It was a tough loss for Sullins but he'll be back. Look forward to seeing both these exciting fighters on 108's next card.
Not to be outdone, the sleeper of the night definitely was Oscar Glover. Glover at about 5'10" and 205 lbs., is pure muscle. The man's got more muscle on his cheekbones than most on their biceps! He came in at weigh-ins full of confidence and didn't lose an ounce of it in the ring. His opponent Jason Perrotta was game, but really didn't have a chance. To Perrotta's defense, there's not many 205 pounders in the city that have a chance against Glover. With a lightning quick takedown, Glover quickly established side control and dropped vicious rights until Perrotta was out cold. Glover took the TKO in the first round.
As the night wore on, the fights kept getting better. There were three title fights against 108's current champions, Kyle Carver (135 lbs.), Andrew Tyson (155 lbs.), and Jett Jones. (185 lbs.) Carver started the title defense against a crafty and tough Jacob Akin. In a see-saw battle that went the distance, Akin appeared to have the upperhand in the standup department and Carver had the edge in wrestling. The fight came down to a split decision that had an awkward ending for Akin's corner. After forgetting what corner he was in, Akin jumped in celebration thinking he won the fight when the announcer declared the winner. However it was Carver who actually took the judge's nod in the split decision. A confusing end to cap a great fight. Akin just wanted the belt so bad that his ears were playing tricks on him. He put up a great fight, but as the saying goes, "to beat the champ, you've got to take it from him."
The next bout featured 1Zero8 Champion Andrew Tyson against challenger C.J. Trahan. No one expected Trahan to go past the first round against Tyson. Tyson who defended his 108 title twice already, had neither opponent last longer than two minutes in the first round. So naturally, no one was getting up to get a drink during this fight because they didn't want to miss Tyson take out Trahan in the first round. But Trahan proved all the naysayers wrong by hanging tough and taking the fight the full three rounds. Even though Tyson took the unanimous decision, Trahan made a huge exclamation point with this fight. Trahan maybe saying that his last knockout against Brian Jones wasn't a fluke and that he's a formidable opponent against anyone. His toughness and heart definitely showed as he endured three rounds of punishment from Tyson.
Capping off "No Surrender" was 1Zero8's Champion Jett Jones against Marcus Mack. Jones strutted into the ring with his usual Mohawk hairdo and the gold championship belt around his waist. Looking to finish Mack like he did his last two opponents, Jones looked phenomenally chiseled for this fight. Mack a specimen himself, is looking to spoil Jones' party as they both meet in the middle of the ring for referee Chuck Wolfe. After hearing the rules and regulations, the bell rung as both men tentatively circled to feel each other out. Jones landed some great jabs and kicks to the body as Mack countered with a right hand.
With excellent jujitsu skills, Jones was able to take Mack down and work his ground game. Going for submissions, Mack looked equally impressive as he fended off every armbar and choke that Jones had to offer. Much of the fight went this way, with Jones dominating the takedowns and ground positions. In the end, all three judges felt the same way as they gave Jones the unanimous decision. Credit goes to both fighters as they put on a exciting battle that kept the crowd on their feet the entire time!
In other 1Zero8 action, Derek Williams looked great as he submitted Hector Nava with a rear naked choke in the first round.
Blake Pool defeated Justin Barstow
Shannon Fowler defeated Alex Atkins
Tyson Wallis defeated Vinod Shirley
Aaron Winzer defeated Chris French
John Wilborn defeated Mike Stonebreaker
Spencer Cox declared a draw against Alex Peterson
108 Promotions L.L.C. would like to thank everyone for making us a success and wish a safe and Happy New Year!