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 HFC New Year's Eve (875117) Event Review
Introduction:
This was the second of two super events to end off an excellent year for the young organization. The four title fights on this card would cap off back to back events that put every title on the line. Immediately you could sense something about this event was different. Of course it was a joyous occasion being on a holiday of New Year's Eve, but it seemed deeper than that. It was as if friend and foe alike came together under a common cause. Managers, fighters, promoters, and fans all did their jobs and did them well. Ultimately ending off 2016 with a bang. This was truly a tremendous event to behold, and this is an exciting time to be part of a developing organization. What will 2017 have in store for Honour Fighting Championships?
Under Card:
Steve Sunderland vs Cody Ruttenum - 170 lbs
Steve Sunderland came into this event looking to make a name for himself with his debut fight under Honour Fighting Championships. At the opening bell Sunderland clinched up with Ruttenum. Things started out slow at first with both fighters feeling each other out. The pace gradually picked up, and Sunderland had increasing success leading to him comfortably winning the first round. In the second round Sunderland landed two hard shots, and rocked Ruttenum. It took Ruttenum a while to recover, but he did a good job fighting hurt. Compu-Strike numbers had Sunderland connecting with 51 head shots, and 15 body shots inside the clinch. Ruttenum would only land 1 elbow. Sunderland kept the pressure on Ruttenum until finally landing a big right that dropped Ruttenum before forcing the ref to call the fight with more strikes from mount. Sunderland introduced himself with a bang, and these two fighters brought home the Fight of the Night Award for their efforts!
Prediction: Sunderland KO (Punches) round 2.
Result: Sunderland TKO (Strikes) 2:54 of round 2
Fight Of the Night Award
Lucien Paol vs Harry Duncan - 185 lbs
Paol with a brown belt in BJJ was clearly the superior ju-jitsu player, and it would not take long for him to demonstrate this. The bell rang and Duncan missed with a slow jab then clinched with Paol. Paol almost effortlessly pulled guard. Duncan, with a blue belt, did what he could to control, but Paol snaked his way into an armbar that Duncan could not escape. A quick submission victory for Paol, and enough to win the Submission of The Night Award.
Prediction: Paol Submission (Triangle) round 2.
Result: Paol Submission (Armbar) 0:40 of round 1.
Submission of the Night Award
Main Card:
David James vs AJ Rumble - 205 lbs
On paper this looked to be a stand up battle, which it was. The two youngsters at just 19 years of age both won their debuts with Honour, and came into this event looking to continue their success. Rumble came out looking sharp landing tight shots. James desperately tried to clinch throughout the entirety of this fight, but could never manage it. Rumble cut James early with a nice counter off one of many failed attempts to clinch. After the 2 minute mark both these fighters really stepped it up. Rumble landed another counter that opened James' cut even more, and then knocked him down with a big right hand. James would get up only to get knocked down again by another overhand right. Astonishingly, he got up a third time, only to have his cut opened up even further, and finally get knocked out by a huge left hand from Rumble. A very entertaining fight and the crowd let it be known!
Prediction: Rumble TKO (Strikes) round 2.
Result: Rumble TKO (Strikes) 2:49 of round 1.
Stelios Kontos vs Aleksey Borodin - 265+ lbs
In the first round these two did some feeling out, but it would take place on the ground. Kontos shot in early for a takedown. Neither fighter did enough to prevent a referee stand up. This was the story of the first round, outside of a nice left hand from Kontos that opened a cut on Borodin. Kontos would win the first round from four successful takedowns, if nothing else. In the second round things got bloody. Borodin found his range, and landed several good shots opening up a cut on Kontos, and focusing on it with precision. Kontos went back to takedowns, trying to stay away from Borodin's power. Borodin would take the second round on all scorecards. In the third round Borodin continued working on Kontos' cut. Kontos managed another takedown, but Borodin escaped fairly easily. Eventually, Borodin landed a jab right on the cut that made the referee decide to call the doctor in. The doctor didn't like what he saw, and that was that.
Prediction: Borodin TKO (Strikes) round 1.
Result: Borodin TKO (Cut) 1:49 of round 3.
Gregory Belcher vs Boney Maroney - 265 lbs
Belcher would make his debut with Honour here against Maroney. In the first round Belcher, as to be expected, shot in for a takedown and landed in Maroney's guard. The first round was uneventful with a barrage of sub spam from Belcher. This would win him the round though. More of the same in the second round. Maroney landed a few shots from range, but Belcher shot in, and took it back to the mat. This time Belcher worked a few ground and pound shots in to play. Maroney writhed and wriggled as best he could, but it was a matter of time before the ground oriented fighter Belcher would find an opening. Coming up on the 3 minute mark, Belcher dropped back for a leg and sinched it up, forcing Maroney to tap under a slick little kneebar.
Prediction: Belcher Submission (Armbar) round 1.
Result: Belcher Submission (Kneebar) 2:58 of round 2.
Marvin Vettori vs Negan Finnigan - 155 lbs
This was the typical grappler versus striker scenario, and both fighters had big time advantages in their respective areas. Vettori came out shooting and failing. Finnigan did a great job sprawling on all attempts from Vettori, and countering when he could. Finnigan cut Vettori early, and the fight continued with the same trend. Vettori, from failed takedowns and body blows, appeared gassed not long after a minute into the fight. This would be Finnigan's opening. Finnigan jabbed Vettori straight on the nose and rocked him. Then he landed a 1-2 that knocked him cold. He cracked him one more time on the way down which had the crowd erupting with deafening applause! This event was getting better with every fight!
Prediction: Vettori Submission (RNC) round 1.
Result: Finnigan KO (Punches) 1:26 of round 1.
Title Card:
Cub Lamas vs Punt Hardman - 145 lbs TITLE
The crowd was completely amped up as the title card started. First off was the 145 lbs title. This fight started out slow. Lamas landed few shots in between basically non-stop takedown attempts from Hardman. Lamas did the better work landing counters off of Hardman's desperate attempts to take this fight to the ground, allowing him to dominate the first round. In the second round Hardman, knowing he would not last on the feet, continued his takedown attempts. This time though Lamas already had him sized up, and landed a crisp right hand that dropped Hardman. Hardman would get up but Lamas would land a devastating uppercut that lifted Hardman off his feet. Lamas took the vacant title, and won the KO of the Night in one fell swoop. Excellent knock out!
Prediction: Lamas TKO (Strikes) round 2.
Result: Lamas KO (Punch) 0:53 of round 2.
KO of the Night Award
Mike Perry vs Renan Faber - 135 lbs TITLE
These two had fought before in a fight that Faber won. This would be short and sweet. The bell rang, and Perry went on the attack. Immediately Perry landed a jab and power punch while sidestepping Fabers strike attempts. Perry connected with a hook to Faber's temple that sent him to the canvas. Perry waved him back up, and unloaded an uppercut that put him in lah lah land. This time Perry followed him to the mat, and pummelled him with strikes to force the ref to call it. A decisive title defense for Perry. Perhaps there was a touch of disdain and bad blood having lost to Faber earlier in his career, but at this point Perry is moving on up!
Prediction: Perry TKO (Strikes) round 1.
Result: Perry TKO (Strikes) 0:23 of round 1.
Co-Main Event:
Brendlan Conlon vs Ryan Pepper - 155 lbs TITLE
Two undefeated strikers in the co-main event came to show and prove in front of a sold out crowd that were all on their feet. The bell rang and they came out swinging. Pepper immediately dropped a jab and a cross combo that cut Conlon. Pepper was much sharper, landing shots at an exponetially higher percentage rate. Seconds in, Pepper landed an uppercut that rocked Conlon. Conlon was in survival mode for the rest of the fight, even trying a takedown attempt. Pepper clinched after Conlon whiffed and threw a hook to the body. Shortly thereafter he broke the clinch and popped a combination that knocked Conlon to the mat. Pepper waved Conlon back to his feet, and in a most climactic finish, he unleashed a savage spinning backfist that cleaned Conlon's clock. Ryan Pepper would leave the event the new champion of the 155 lbs division. Woah!
Prediction: Pepper TKO (Punches) round 1.
Result: Pepper KO (Spinning Backfist) 1:59 of round 1.
Main Event:
Abraham Muhammad vs Matthew Fang - 205 lbs TITLE
In one of the most electrifying atmospheres I've ever witnessed the stage was set for the main event of the evening. It would be the last fight of the year for Honour Fighting Championships with the 205 lbs title up for grabs. In my preview of this matchup I wholeheartedly thought Fang would be the underdog, fighting an uphill battle to take this fight to the mat. Things played out differently. At the bell Fang shot straight in, and landed an excellent takedown into side control. This was the worst case scenario for Muhammad, the undefeated Muy Thai striker. Muhammad would do the best he could from underneath Fang, but it would just not be enough. Fang put the pressure on and kept it on the entire fight. He landed several good hard shots from side control, and eventually passed to mount about a minute into the contest. For 90 seconds straight, from mount, Fang controlled, postured up, and pounded on Muhammad, before knocking the champion out in an awe-inspiring finish! This fight ended off a great event, and a great year for a great organization! A well deserved victory for a true champion in Matthew Fang!
Prediction: Muhammad KO (Punch) round 1.
Result: Fang TKO (Strikes) 2:32 of round 1.
Conclusion:
Personally, I have somewhat of an advantage, being able to write for the Honour Fighting Championships organization. Through interviews with managers and fighters, I am able to gather a lot of insight into the backgrounds of things. I knew this event would be a monumental success. In recent months we have signed numerous new fighters to the organization, and as a result, new managers. With the holidays at hand, the atmosphere and ambience at The Underground was festive, in front of a sold out crowd. It was a feeling of brotherhood. We had a full card of great fights. Everyone did a great job, and left no stone unturned. For an upcoming 300k+ ID restricted organization, Honour Fighting Championships is doing remarkable things. I would like to thank everyone in the organization for their part in a great year. You all are a great group of people that I'm honored to be associated with. Now that the ball has dropped on 2016 we look to 2017 which is upon us. Help us bring in the new year at HFC 33 New Era (876856) on January, 07, 2017! As always, Honour Fighting Championships is actively recruiting new fighters in all weight classes. If you are interested in a contract for your fighter/s please contact the organization's owner Henryk Kuzbik. Current members of the organization, if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions please let them be known. We are all in this together! Happy New Year everybody!
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