ZenRhino's MMA Blog: CDMMA 9 Recap

CDMMA 9

November 16, 2013

Jaffa Shrine

Altoona, Pa.

Complete Devastation MMA made a triumphant return with the 9th installment of CDMMA. The venue switched from the previous location of the Blair County Convention Center to the new location of the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona, Pa. The Jaffa Shrine has a larger seating capacity (3,500 according to the Jaffa staff) and has been described as "the best location for MMA in Central/Western Pennsylvania" by a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. CDMMA 9 was also the first full event under the new ownership of Drew D'Auria and the audio/video production of Nova 6 Studios.

Matchmaker Ryan Glunt had put together 10 fights for this fight card, but only 8 fights survived for fight night. Ryan put together an great fight card of 3 professional fights and 7 amateur fights, and it was 2 of the amateur fights that did not happen for various reasons. The fights that did happen were very exciting, and the crowd in attendance was very satisfied.

I had been partial to the events at the Blair County Convention Center, but I must say that I like the new location much better. The way the seats are arranged at the Jaffa Shrine are more like a amphitheater or sports arena, and the acoustics make it perfect for an action-packed event like Mixed Martial arts. I feel that this location really does not have a bad seat in the house, and the improvements made by the new owner have made the events even better.

The old cage is mostly the same, except that there is a new cage floor covering that allows for better video for the fights. New features are a catwalk around the cage and the addition of more lights in a four-sided lighting rack. The audio from a different/better PA system was suited very well for the Jaffa Shrine.

The day began with a demonstration from local Martial Arts gyms as part of the F.S.I. MMA Heroes program sponsored by Family Services Incorporated. In attendance was the "Frownie Brownie" from one of the sponsors, King's Family Restaurant. The demonstration launched the program to the public that is a joint effort between CDMMA and Family Services Incorporated that is essentially an anti-bullying program. F.S.I. MMA Heroes is hoping to have future demonstrations in schools not only in Blair County but all over Central Pennsylvania.

The National Anthem was sung by CDMMA announcer (cageside commentator/Cage Nation TV co-host) Drew Shannon. The crowd appreciated his rendition of the song, and a standing ovation was given by the crowd in attendance.

It was a great night of fights, with several exciting stoppages and two fights that went the distance.

The results for CDMMA 9 are:

Pro Fights:
Main Event
Brett "Showtime" Shoenfelt defeated Ted "Red" Worthington by RNC at 1:45 of Round 2
Shoenfelt becomes the new CDMMA Welterweight (170lb Pro) Champion
Co-main Event
Charlie "Madman" Gathers defeats Greg Saumenig by Guillotine at 0:45 of Round 1
Billy Ward defeats PJ Palmer by RNC at 3:32 of Round 1
Ammy Fights:
Ethan "Wolverine" Goss defeats Walter Hess by Guillotine at 2:04 of Round 2
Osahon Omo-Osagie defeats Josh Lear by North/South Choke at 0:55 of Round 1
Justin Johnston defeats Brandon Laney by Unanimous Decision
Jacob Kozorosky defeats Juan Hernandez by Unanimous Decision
Daniel O'Neill defeats John Rearick by Armbar at 0:38 of Round 1

Scratched Fights:

Paul Riggleman had medical issues and the fight with Rick Shawley was scratched at fight time

Dylan Hughes (18 years old) was not given clearance due to age for his ammy debut against Luke Ickes (23 years old and also an ammy debut) according to the Athletic Commission

Fight break-down:

John Rearick Vs. Daniel O'Neill

The first fight of the night was John Rearick against Daniel O'Neill. O'Neill is a recent BJJ Blue Belt under Ryan Gruhn from Central PA Mixed Martial Arts. (A Renzo Gracie affiliated school) Rearick had a record of 1 - 2 and O'Neill was 0 -1. This fight began fast & furious, but quickly it went to the ground and at 38 seconds in the first round Dan O'Neill secured an armbar causing John Rearick to tapout. Rearick was clearly upset with the quick loss and stormed out of the CDMMA cage. His cornermen got him to re-enter the cage so that announcer Drew Shannon could read the official result, but then Rearick immediately exited the cage again, ultimately pushing the doctor at cageside who was about to do the post-fight examination. Ron Russitano from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission at cageside informed Rearick's corner that John would be getting suspended for his post-fight actions. It was later reported that John Rearick was suspended for 90 days & fined $100 by the P.S.A.C.

Jacob Kozorosky Vs. Juan Hernandez

Next up was a battle of unbeaten fighters. Jacob Kozorosky (2 - 0) had previously fought and won at CDMMA 7 & 8, and Juan Hernandez (2 - 0) is a Judo Black belt, and a BJJ Purple belt. The fight was hard fought, and Hernandez was bloodied a few times. It went the full three rounds, and the result was a unanimous decision victory for Kozorosky, who will potentially be fighting under the advanced amateur rules in Pennsylvania for his next amateur fights.

Justin Johnston Vs. Brandon Laney

The third fight of the night was between two amateurs making their debut in MMA. It ended up being one of the most exciting fights on the fight card, and if the promotion awarded a "Fight of the Night" this match between Justin Johnston & Brandon Laney probably wins hands down. It is without a doubt the bloodiest fight I have seen in CDMMA history. I have been the person to clean up any blood in the cage since CDMMA 3, and in the one round alone I had to use 5 rags to clean up the blood coming from Brandon Laney's nose. Referee Jim Chappel and "cage twin" Steve Henneman were also helping to clean up the blood for this fight - and I feel that at one point or another almost every section of the cage floor had been covered in blood. There was so much blood I was anticipating a break in the action being called so that the cage floor could be fully mopped to make sure all blood was removed from the floor. For a moment I thought the fight might be stopped from the amount of blood Laney had lost, but the referee had the cageside doctor look at Laney between rounds and the fight was allowed to continue. By the end of the fight Johnston won by unanimous decision and had broken both of his hands, while Laney had received a broken nose.

Osahon Omo-Osagie Vs. Josh Lear

The fourth fight of the night was between Osahon Omo-Osagie (0 - 1) of Titan Fitness PA and Josh Lear (0 - 2). Omo-Osagie is a team-mate of CDMMA 7 fighter Tyler "The Daywalker" Saltsman and CDMMA veteran Ethan "Wolverine" Goss and is an assistant boxing instructor at Penn State University. Lear is a member of Dignan/Brumbaugh MMA Fight Team. Both fighters were looking for their first win. Omo-Osagie is known for his heavy hands, but he was the one who took the fight to the ground relatively quickly. "Os" as he is known by his team-mates ended up winning the fight at 55 seconds of the first round by the rare North-South Choke.

Paul "Lionheart" Riggleman Vs. Rick Shawley

The next fight of the night was supposed to be between Paul Riggleman (0 - 1) and Rick Shawley, who was making his ammy debut. However, after Riggleman's name was called the announcer was asked to give Paul a moment to get to the cage... but after a moment match-maker Ryan Glunt came to cageside to inform announcer Drew Shannon that the Riggleman/Shawley fight had been scrapped. Rumors surfaced from Riggleman was dealing with dehydration issues because of the weight cut to Riggleman was overcome by nerves and couldn't fight.

Ethan "Wolverine" Goss Vs. Walter Hess

The final amateur fight of the night was and "advanced amateur rules" fight between CDMMA veteran Ethan Goss (3 -1) of Titan Fitness PA and Walter Hess (2 -1). Ethan has been making a name for himself lately, and after his win over Hess by Guillotine at 2:04 of the 2nd round CDMMA owner had said he wanted to talk with Ethan about a title fight against the current CDMMA Featherweight champion (145lb ammy) Rich Cantolina. Before those talks could be formalized Pittsburgh based promotion Pinnacle Fighting Championships made a title fight match between Rich Cantolina & Ethan Goss for the PFC Featherweight (145 lb ammy) title. So it is quite possible that these two fighters will face each other again at CDMMA 10 to settle who the CDMMA Featherweight champion is.

P.J. Palmer Vs. Billy Ward

After a short intermission where the CDMMA Cage Girls tossed Sickem Kustoms Cycles t-shirts to some lucky members of the audience, the professional fight portion of the fight card began. The first of three pro fights was between Detroit native & CDMMA veteran Billy Ward (3 - 2 - 1) and Pittsburgh area native P.J. Palmer (2 -2). This was a late addition to the CDMMA 9 fight card, and both fighters are to be commended for stepping up on short notice. Ward had a win over CDMMA match-maker Ryan Glunt at CDMMA 6, and lost to Brett "Showtime" Shoenfelt in the main event at CDMMA 8. Palmer has a recent win over CDMMA veteran Mitchell Killeen in a fight for another promotion. The fight was exciting and fast-paced, and Billy Ward won the fight by RNC at 3:32 of round 1. During the post-fight interview Ward announced that he had brought his father (Bill Ward Sr.) along and that the two of them have been working to repair their relationship as father & son.

Charlie "Madman" Gathers Vs. Greg Saumenig

The co-main event was between "hometown favorite" and CDMMA veteran Charlie Gathers (2 - 4) of Dignan/Brumbaugh MMA Fight Team and Greg Saumenig (1 -1). Both fighters had been amateur champions, and this was the 6th time Gathers had fought for CDMMA. (3 as an amateur & 3 as a pro) Charlie had been coming off back-to-back losses by Guillotine choke, and it was poetic justice that Charlie ended up winning this fight by Guillotine. I had been sitting cageside and I saw when Gathers was able to sink in the choke. I was trying to remain neutral, but I could see Charlie's determination in his face... and after Saumenig tapped out I couldn't help but say "He wanted it more!" - meaning that Charlie made the win happen by forcing Saumenig to bend to his will. It was a cathartic moment for Gathers, who had been dealing with a family emergency all week that could have easily derailed his mental game if not for the support system he has in the form of family, friends, team-mates & coaches/instructors/cornermen.

Brett "Showtime" Shoenfelt Vs. Ted "Red" Worthington

The main event was between local favorite Brett Shoenfelt (5 - 3) and Iowa native Ted Worthington (34 - 41). When interviewed by Cage Nation TV Worthington claimed to have had an additional 40 fights that aren't on his record, which easily makes him the most experienced fighter to have ever fought for CDMMA. Shoenfelt had spent time training with Tenyeh "Skinnyman" Dixon for this fight. (Dixon has held titles for multiple MMA promotions) Worthington had fought against former UFC champion terry Martin as well as UFC Veterans Joe Ellenberger, Darren Elkins & Bobby Voekler as well as CDMMA Veteran Tyler Combs. The first round was full of action & lots of scrambles. Shoenfelt was dominating most of the round, and mixed it up between pummeling Worthington with strikes & submission attempts. Round two picked up where the first round left off, and at 1:45 of the 2nd round Shoenfelt managed to submit Worthington by RNC to become the new CDMMA Welterweight (170lb pro) Champion. The previous person to hold that title was Jordan Rinaldi (who had been part of the UFC's "The Ultimate Fighter" 15 (a.k.a. The Ultimate Fighter Live) but didn't make it into the TUF15 house.

The other fight that almost happened but didn't was the amateur bout between Dylan Hughes and Luke Ickes. Both would have been making their amateur debuts, but the fight had not been approved by the P.S.A.C. and the word from the athletic commission was that the age of Dylan Hughes was the reason. Hughes is 18 years old & Ickes is 23. Not sure why his age was a factor, but that was the reason given.

The venue at the Jaffa Shrine has about three times the capacity as the previous location of the Blair County Convention Center. And even though it appeared that the event had less people in attendance than previous events, because of the size difference in locations I'd be willing to guess that CDMMA 9 had a higher attendance than any other Complete Devastation MMA event.

There were no major problems other than the fight that got scrubbed at fight time, so the owner of CDMMA can definitely consider this a success. After the main event Brett Shoenfelt had raffled off some items, and probably spent almost a full hour taking photos with fans & signing autographs. I was impressed that he refused nobody, and had time for everyone who wanted to congratulate him on his victory.

Not sure when the next CDMMA event will be, but with the foundation the new owner has laid, any event in the future has an excellent chance of being even better than CDMMA 9 was. I have heard some fight rumors for potential match-ups, and if any of them come true, people will be very satisfied with the hard work that Ryan Glunt is putting in to make #10 be the best event it possibly can be!

If you missed out on #9, do yourself a favor and get to CDMMA 10 when it comes to town!! (you can thank me later)