Hardrock MMA staged an exciting night of 17 MMA fights and one grappling exhibition just down the road from Louisville on August 15. A night that saw five titles on the line certainly did not disappoint a standing room only crowd in Shepardsville, Kentucky.

For Fight Results, click here.

In the first title fight of the night, at 135 pounds, Justin O’Neal (2-0) showed more poise than the more experienced Chris Walker (9-1). The opening standup of the fight saw Walker swinging wildly and missing, and O’Neal making him pay with counterpunches and knees in the clinch. Although Walker eventually was able to take the fight to the ground, O’Neal worked a high guard and looked for an armbar, before finally finishing the fight with a triangle choke 2:15 into the first round.

With the heavyweight title on the line, Deon Spalding and Michael Parker battled back and forth into the fourth round. Spalding took control of a nip-and-tuck fight in the fourth, scoring a takedown to side control after landing two stiff rights, then forcing a verbal submission from Parker just :41 into the round when Parker wanted no part of the ground and pound onslaught.

Later in the evening, 185-pound titleholder Chris Biddle (10-2) made relatively easy work of challenger Justin Gamble (9-2), scoring a takedown following some good rights, passing half-guard to full mount, then very quickly putting Gamble to sleep wih an arm triangle choke 1:58 into the opening round.

Marcus Mayes (3-1) took the 205-pound title from Chad Deener (4-0) in a three-round technical battle that ended when Mayes dropped Deener with a series of strikes and knees from the clinch about a minute into the third round.

In the last title fight of the night, AJ Jenkins dethroned 170-pound champ Steve Osman (5-0) in dramatic fashion, tattooing Osman with strikes early in the second round, dropping him with a straight left that left him out cold, then getting in a couple shots for good measure after Osman was crumpled against the cage.

In the other action of the evening:
Adam “the Igg” Schroer won his pro debut over Jason Carrier, catching Carrier with a right, then pouncing for a rear naked choke submission finish.

Robert Mooney also won his pro debut, scoring a double leg takedown on JR Hines (18-7) and then securing a kimura from half-guard that forced Hines to tap just 1:47 into the fight.

TJ Barber (10-6) took down Jeff King (7-1) to side control, pulverized him with some ground and pound, and ultimately finished King off with a rear naked choke 2:12 into the fight.

Tony Thomas slammed Chad Sermon in the opening seconds of their fight, took side control and maintained it despite Sermon’s unsuccessful efforts to work out of it, then ultimately submitted Sermon with a rear naked choke just 1:24 into the fight.

Matt Haltheus (0-0) showed impressive skill and poise in his MMA debut against RJ Miller, working some ground and pound in the first round and expertly rolling out of a kneebar attempt by Miller. Haltheus continued the onslaught on the ground in the second round, eventually pinning one of Miller’s arms and forcing a verbal submission 2:39 into the round when Miller was helpless to defend the strikes.

In a back-and-forth fight, Mike Thomas finished off Brandon Howard 1:44 into the third round with strikes from the mount for a TKO victory.

“Dirty” David Gray eked out a split decision victory over Erik Funkhauser in a fight that saw some wild ground action and very little standup defense.

Mike Fleniken (3-0) made short work of Michael Gay (6-7), putting Gay out with a standing rear naked choke just :48 into the fight.

Brandon DeWitt made even shorter work of overmatched Chris Minks, immediately dropping Minks with a right and then obliterating him for a ref stoppage just :07 into the fight.

Jeremy Philpot (8-8) shot for a takedown against Jason Clack (2-3), passed from side control to full mount, then sunk the rear naked choke 1:15 into the fight when Clack rolled.

Rob Smith (9-0) punished Jon “Special Ed” Heiser from side control, and then forced Heiser to submit with a kimura 1:40 into the opening round.

In the opening fight of the night, Bryant Barnhill sunk a standing guillotine and jumped guard, forcing Brent Boone to tap out in the first round.

Finally, in a nip-and-tuck grappling match featuring two underage competitors, Isaiah Ferguson submitted Corey Clemons with a gogoplata about two minutes into a sudden-death extra round.

Thank you for following our recap and supporting local MMA!

Much Love,

TammyTV & FightJunky

Congrats to Louisville MMA Fight Team with All WINS, Way to Coach Y!!

Check back here often for live results of the night’s fights!!!

Update at 7:20 — Correction… 9 fights tonight, not 10. Fight order lists the billed headliner, Sparks vs. Ivey, as the 7th fight. We are at the outdoor pavilion and it feels like about 120 degrees in the shade right now. Action will be sweaty and slippery… probably not too many submissions tonight. Junie Browning has arrived, and Tammy TV is chasing down an interview…
Update 7:50 – Pics and chatting with Junie cageside… on camera interview with Tammy soon to follow. Got a guy trying to track down Jens Pulver…

Update 8:15 – Announcer is in the cage and HD Net cameras are running… show is about to start.

Fight 1 – Landon Hembree (4-1, Team Atchison) vs. Mike Fleniken (2-0, Louisville MMA)

Round 1 – Both guys look ready to bang. Fleniken comes in swinging. Hembree lands a good knee. Fleniken takedown to full mlount along the cage. Trying to get separation but Hembree holding him close. 2 good strikes by Fleniken. More solid strikes. Hembree escapes and fight goes to standup. Fleniken drops him with a solid punch and takes side control. Fleniken working him over from side control. Hembree works out but eats an elbow and a punch. Back to the ground with Fleniken looking for back control. Stand-up, and Hembree lands huge knee, then eats a counterpunch as round ends. Fight Junky scores it (unofficially) 10-9 Fleniken.

Round 2 – Hembree shoots, but Fleniken stuffs it to north-south. Fleniken takes back control and looks for a rear naked choke. Hembree trying to turn into it but can’t, and taps to the rear naked choke at 1:44. Impressive performance by Fleniken.

Fight 2 – J.R. Hines (18-5, Extreme Force) vs. John Troyer (14-4, Louisville MMA)

Round 1 – Troyer takedown to full mount. Hines rolls out of it into guard. After a scramble, Troyer is in Hines’ half-guard, then to side control. Takes a crucifix position and lands elbows to Hines’ head. More strikes, and Hines taps quickly due to the helpless position.

Fight 3 – Matt McIntyre (15-4, Team Wildside) vs. Brandon Bishop (7-3, Louisville MMA)

Round 1 – Fighters feeling each other out. Tentative exchanges with no major damage. Clinch on the cage, and Bishop slips behind McIntyre’s back and looks to sink the rear naked choke.

Fight 3 Cont. McIntyre vs Bishop - He’s got the body triangle hooks, and McIntyre’s fending off the second arm. Bishop softens him up with a couple of short punches. McIntyre turned into it and does some damage in Bishop’s loose guard. Bishop is bleeding very badly, and McIntyre swarms with punches for the kill. Bishop rolls, and McIntyre sinks in the rear naked choke for the win at 4:20. Incredible comeback.

Fight 4 – Josh Ball (7-1, independent) vs. Jason Jones (10-4, 4 Seasons)

Round 1 – Jones stuffs a takedown. Jones landing strikes from within Ball’s guard. Jones works out to full mount, Ball rolls, and Jones locks in a tight rear naked choke for a very quick victory at 1:13.

Fight 5 – Erik Florez (15-3, Highlander Fight Team) vs. Tim Cook (7-5, Team Full Force)

Round 1 – Great takedown by Cook to side control. Florez works out to standup and looks for a guillotine. Cook powers him down to side control and quickly works for kimura, but loses it. Cook still in side control, and his corner is shouting for knees to the liver. Florez reverses and takes full mount. BEAUTIFUL reversal by Cook. Cook works to full mount, and lands elbows. Florez rolls and pulls guard. More scrambling, and Florez now in side control. Florez looks to his corner for instruction, takes full mount, but Cook rolls into Florez’s guard. BIG shot by Cook, and Florez pulls him close. Cook working close elbows. End round one. LOTS of back-and-forth, and this one is very difficult to score. Fight Junky says 10-9 Cook.

Round 2 – Florez shoots. Cook stuffs it and lands a good knee. Down to the ground, Florez looks for leglock but misses, and Cook takes advantage to crucifix position, then back control when Florez rolls. Cook now in full mount and raining elbows, and Florez gives up his back. Cook softening him up and looking for leg hooks. Florez turns into Cook’s guard. Cook isolates an arm and takes full mount. Florez turns, but Cook can’t sink hooks. More scrambling on the ground. Florez in side control. More reversals. Cook landing better strikes on the ground during the scrambles. Florez takes full mount and landed a great right that hurt Cook. Cook reverses into Florez’s guard. End round two. Another wild round on the ground that is tough to score. I’m guessing the fighters are slick, because no one seems able to hold a dominant position. 10-9 Cook.

Round 3 – Cook stuffs a shoot and lands a knee to the head, then pulls guard. Cook in full mount and lands a left elbow. Florez is now bleeding above his right eye. Cook pummeling him now. Florez gives up his back. Cook punches away, and the ref steps in. Florez’s face is an absolute mess. Most exciting fight of the night so far ends in a TKO victory for Tim Cook at 3:24.

Fight 6 – Josh “Taz” Ferguson (6-2, Louisville Martial Arts Academy) vs. Matt Troyer (4-1, Louisville MMA)

Round 1 – Taz comes in swinging. Clinch on cage and Taz looks for a guillotine but doesn’t have it. Inside right punches by Taz, and Troyer answers with a knee. Down to the ground and Troyer looking for a triangle. Taz works out and is landing strikes from a loose guard. Taz moves to side control but Troyer locks in a reverse triangle. Troyer can’t cinch it, and Taz slips out to side control and lands elbows. Taz tries an armbar. Troyer slips it, but Taz switches to a reverse armbar. Troyer is in visible pain and taps frantically. The end comes at 3:47.

Fight 7 – Johnathan Ivey (48-21, Team Ivey) vs. Ron Sparks (6-0, Louisville MMA)

Round 1 – The big boys. Ivey missed a low leg kick badly. Ivey comes in swinging but Sparks defends. Sparks looks confident. Nice knee by Sparks. Ivey again misses a right cross very badly. Sparks looks in a different class altogether right now. Huge right cross by Sparks. Fighters circling; Ivey looks lost and Sparks looks patient. Great one-two combination by Sparks. Ivey waves it off but he clearly got tagged. Superman punch by Sparks, who seems in no hurry to end this. Ivey’s hands are down, but Sparks is taking his time. Huge combination by Sparks as the round ends. The crowd is booing – probably at Ivey’s poor performance, but maybe at Sparks for not finishing him when he clearly could. 10-9 Sparks.

Round 2 – Inactivity to open the round. Sparks tags Ivey and a waterfall of sweat sprays off him. Combo by Sparks. Another combo by Sparks, who inexplicably backs off. Crowd is booing. More inactivity. All of a sudden Ivey comes to life with a flurry of punches. Sparks tattoos him with a right cross, then a left. Brutal combination of punches and knees by Sparks to finish an otherwise lackluster round. 10-9 Sparks.

Round 3 – Sparks slips in a stiff left jab. The pace has slowed, with Sparks picking his shots. Brief stoppage while Sparks gets his glove re-taped. The restart sees more of the same deliberate pace. Crowd is booing again at the inactivity. Sparks lands a combo of several punches. I’ll say this about Ivey, the guy’s got a chin. Ivey lands a weak left cross that Sparks answers with two jabs. Ivey is bleeding as the round ends. 10-9 Sparks.

Round 4 – Ivey misses terribly with a punch and falls to the ground. Sparks tags him but then just stands over him. Crowd booing. Ivey lays there like a corpse, Sparks does nothing, and the ref restarts them. Ivey again falls to his back, and Sparks just circles him. Ref restarts. Punching combo by Sparks that Ivey just eats. Ivey’s left leg has at least three big knots on it. Ivey again falls to his back, and Sparks circles. Crowd really letting the fighters have it now. Ref restarts. Sparks still picking shots deliberately. Another vicious combo by Sparks at the 10-second warning, and the round ends. Ivey is built like a cement truck and can take a punch about as well, but he is clearly losing this lackluster affair. 10-9 Sparks.

The fight is over. Ivey apparently is declining to continue. Correction – the fight is only 4 rounds??? Unanimous decision to Ron “the Monster” Sparks.

Fight 8 – Nick Albin (7-0-1, Derby City MMA) vs. Marcus Kaiser (10-2, Knockout Knights)

Round 1 – Kaiser is announced as a Georgia-based fighter, which explains why I haven’t heard of his camp before. Fighters circle, and Chewy shoots for a takedown and takes full mount. Chewy has separation and is landing head and body shots. Kaiser rolls, and Chewy quickly finishes him with a tight rear naked choke at the 1:18 mark.

Fight 9 – Brandon Pinkston (11-2, Big Bully Fight Team) vs. Chris Curtis (18-2, Team Vision)

Round 1 – Clinch on the cage. Pinkston forces Curtis down and takes mount. Curtis gives up his back. Pinkston sinks leg hooks, lands a few punches, and looks for a rear naked choke. Curtis fending it off so far. Curtis escapes as Pinkston loses his leg hooks to the sweat. Pinkston now in mount, and Curtis rolls over. Scramble on the ground, and Pinkston is in Curtis’s guard. Pinkston goes high for a trangle, but Curtis power slams out of it. Pinkston now in full mount, but Curtis reverses as the round ends. More wild ground action due to slick fighters. Close round, 10-9 Pinkston.

Round 2 — Good low leg kick by Curtis. Pinkston answers with a great combo. Greco clinch on cage. Curtis lands an inside knee. Another one drops Pinkston. Curtis landing solid body shots. Pinkston gets a single leg but Curtis postures for a triangle. Low guard again as both fighters are still working. High guard again, but way too slippery for a triangle. Big shots by Pinkston, but Curtis gets a double-leg. Struggle for position against the cage. Curtis hits a low blow knee on the ground that the ref misses. Curtis now with Pinkston’s back and landing strikes. End of round. Probably 10-9 Curtis, but could go either way.

Round 3 – Pinkston misses with a flying knee and Curtis makes him pay with a vicious combo. Clinch on the cage. Pinkston tries for an arm triangle but it slips. Curtis spins out of a single-leg attempt and makes Pinkston pay. Pinkston answers with a low blow, and the action pauses briefly. On the restart, Pinkston lands a right cross and gets a takedown. Curtis works a loose guard. Pinkston is able to land some punches from inside guard. Pinkston now with Curtis’s back but no leg hooks, and Curtis stands. Takedown by Pinkston into Curtis’s closed guard. More reversals and scrambling on the ground. Back to standing, and Pinkston lands a giant suplex. Back to their feet and Curtis is landing monster knees as the round ends. This blogger with no official vote says 10-9 Curtis.
The decision is announced. Split decision. 29-28, 28-29, 29-28, in favor of Brandon Pinkston.

Well folks, it’s 11:15, and that finishes a hell of a night. This crew is off to wrap up and then head to the after-party. Tammy TV and Company… out.

Zakk Jarrell over Josh Casuselli,
Austin Charlton over Alex Vanheart,
Daniel Wicker over Michael Littlton,
Joseph Lowe over George Taylor,
James Brown over Cory Farrel,
Shawn Hampton over Michael Pritchett
Charles Weir over Chris Dagger
James Miller over James Frawley
FEMALES: Shelby Beechler over Jamie Nussbaum
Josh Tomlinson over Michael Massey
Darreal Smith over Brich Tuner
Jake Lillard over Jeremy Dushtea (LightWeight TITLE)
Darreal Smith over Andy McGuire
Lee Haskett over Steve Franklin
Daniel Trusty over Richard Walker
Brandon Hilton over Thomas Schmitt
Maurice Walker over Brad Hatton

GIRLS RULE!!!

A Big CONGRATS goes out to the Title Winners: DANIEL FARMER, Team Cruz MMA, who is the NEW Middleweight Champion!!

& BRANDEN BISHOP, Louisville MMA, who is the NEW Lightweight Champion!!

For Fight Card Results, click below:

The evening starts off with a Mini Grappling Tournament. A mini grappling tournament where each match was decided by most submissions in a three minute round. Kyle Hall, Eclectic Kombat, wins his first match with a RNC and an arm bar and BJ Fergeson, Team Cruz MMA, wins his first match with an arm bar and a guillotine. In the final match, the two spar up and Kyle comes out Winner with a modified guillotine.

Loren Brown wins over Steven Poppelwell. Loren comes out aggressive with several combos, knees, and no mercy. Steven, a yellow belt in judo with 3 stripes on his white belt in bjj, responds to Loren’s beatings with a “bring it” attitude. Steven showed a lot of heart, but Loren showed no signs of giving anything less an ass kicking. Loren ends the fight with a right square on the jaw of Steven and the ground he goes. The Ref grabs Loren before anymore damage is done and its over. Loren’s new nick name is announced “The Throw Down Brown!” Its a well deserved name after that match, below is Loren right after his win.

James Miller wins by way of guillotine over Matt Mitchell. They size each other up, Matt goes in for a take down and gets caught in a guillotine just a few moments into the first round. That a wrap on that match.

Steven Vanover in his debut wins over Jose Rodriguez. Steven comes out strong and although Jose had his hands up, Steven lands a solid right on Jose’s jaw and Jose folds. This match was stopped quickly in the 1st Round, seconds after the opening bell. Jose shows heart and tries to hang on to Steven’s leg but the ref had declared this match over. Steven has his 1st WIN and Jose moves on to 0-2.

Andrew Wilson wins over Jason Gresham. Jason swings and misses and Andrew goes in for the take down, but they slide out of the ropes and end up in the middle of the ring. Andrew in mount, delivers some ground and pound, Jason rolls over and Andrew works a little more for the RNC. In the process of Andrew delivering several rounds of ground & pound, Jason taps out. Andrew Wilson wins by Tap Out in the 1st Round.

Nathan Daily wins because Gary Cain failed to show up! There is nothing worse than someone saying I will be there to fight, then not show up! Fans pay to see people in the cage with heart. If you are not going to show up, don’t agree to cage or ring fighting. If you do agree, put forth the determination and dedication as your opponent. Nathan below not to happy he didn’t get to fight because his opponent failed to bring himself to the ring.

Julian Carrillo wins over Kenneth Cash. Julian shows no fear in his first fight and holds on tough. He goes for a guillotine but it doesn’t look secured. He takes Kenneth down and tightens the guillotine. Julian lets go, mounts Kenneth, and delivers ground & pound the til the ref grabs him to stop. In addition to winning his debut amateur fighting match, Julian will be graduating from South Central High School in Elizabeth IN.

TITLE FIGHTS
Daniel “The Epidemic” Farmer 5-0 wins over Jai Woodruff of Team Saw 6-2. Daniel holds on to his unblemished record of now 6-0! Jai looks like a solid opponent; Strong on his feet and not afraid on the ground. Jai was swinging for the fences and caused Daniel to either get knocked down or slip, but Jai was not able to control Daniel’s force. Jai finds himself in a triangle submission and taps out with less than 1 second left in the 1st Round! Pretty sure he is kicking himself in the butt, but that’s how it goes. Tap or Nap! Daniel is flush with excitement and does a little dance for the audience! Daniel recognizes Jai as the hardest hitter he has ever fought and very tough in comments after the fight. Below is Daniel with fellow team members of Team Cruz MMA!

Branden Bishop wins via arm bar over Brady Gillihan. Back from working with a boxing coach, Brady could not stop the heavy hands or submission skills of Branden Bishop. Brady comes out with aggressively with his jab but wasn't landing it. He then sweeps in on Branden and finds Branden very strong and hard to take down as Branden resists. Branden secures side control and although Brady looks very flexible, Branden snags a key lock. Hopefully Brady isn't hurt. As his shoulder hangs low, it was apparent the pain he was in after a nasty shoulder lock like that. Branden wants to keep his new spot in the PRO racks with all WINS! More proof that good fighters come out of Louisville MMA!!

Much love and respect for those who protect our country now and then!!! XOXO Love You Uncle Louie

TammyTV

Elizabethtown, Kentucky was the site of some exciting MMA action on Saturday night, as several hundred fight fans were on hand to take in Hardrock MMA 7 “Jealousy is Earned”. With 18 MMA fights in all, and 4 separate title fights, the evening certainly was not lacking for action.

In the evening’s featured bout, undefeated Louisville fighter Lorenz Larkin (9-0) took on the defending champion Derek Grace (12-2) for the Hardrock MMA heavyweight title. This fight went all five rounds. In the first three rounds, the fighters primarily exchanged leg kicks, with Larkin capitalizing on landed strikes late in the first and third rounds. Larkin seized firm control of the fight in the fourth round, taking the fight to the ground and working some effective ground and pound from full mount. Larkin controlled the fifth largely with superior position clinched against the cage, and earned a unanimous decision victory to become the new champion.

In perhaps the most exciting fight of the night, Phil “the Wikked” White (5-0) squared off against TJ Barber (8-5) for the vacant featherweight title. The first round saw some exceptional back-and-forth ground action, as both fighters showed skilled submission attempts and defense as well as veteran cage poise. On balance, Barber seemed to have a slight edge on the ground for the first round and the first moments of the second round. However, midway through the second, White snuck in a beautiful armbar from guard that Barber did not see coming until it was too late. A clearly frustrated Barber was forced to submit, and White earned an impressive title victory.

Undefeated fighter Steve Osman (4-0) quickly took the welterweight title fight to defending champion Brandon Howard (9-7), working a takedown to side control, patiently working position, then securing a fight-ending kimura about halfway through the first round.

In the evening’s fourth title bout, this one a contest for the vacant bantamweight belt, Jesse Grindstaff (4-3) made very short work of David Ward (4-4), catching Ward in a triangle choke just 38 seconds into the fight.

In undercard action:

Roger “the Joker” Minton (1-3) took out Bo Huitt (0-2) by TKO (strikes from the mount) about halfway through the first round.

Chad Deener (3-0) controlled the standup action in the first two rounds and ultimately prevailed in a unanimous decision over a very game Chris Minks (3-1).

Jon Rigdon (4-0) earned a first round victory by submission (triangle choke) over Doug Ballinger (6-5) in a very well-fought ground battle.

Matthew Carbaugh (1-2) secured an armbar from guard to earn a first round submission victory against Drew Weaver (1-0).

Danny Kelly (1-0) finished off opponent Jason Newland (0-0) with strikes from the mount late in the first round for a TKO victory.

Kyle Griffith (1-1) continued a good night for the “Death is Certain” fight camp, prevailing against TJ Stone by TKO (strikes from mount) in the first round.

Frank Mulder (0-1) dominated the first round against James Brasfield (0-1), and earned the victory when Brasfield’s corner threw in the towel between rounds.

Thomas Brownfield (0-2) earned his first MMA victory against David Young (0-1) with a first round TKO (strikes from mount).

Paul Tipton (5-2) utilized a prolonged rear naked choke to put opponent Jeremy Philpot (7-7) to sleep in the first round.

Scott Fremming (0-0) came out on top in his MMA debut, beating Justin Hunt (2-5) with a quick rear naked choke submission in the first round.

Nathan Roach (0-0) got a quick guillotine choke in the first round to submit Josh Smith (1-1).

Ashcon Carbosi (1-0) controlled the ground position in his fight against Coty Barron (0-1). Although Barron bridged out of Carbosi’s first full mount, he could not escape the second, and Carbosi earned a TKO stoppage.

In an intriguing matchup of inexperience versus extensive (but losing) experience, Matt Hutcherson (1-0) prevailed rather decisively against Justin Collett (7-17), earning a first round submission victory (rear naked choke).

In the evening’s opening MMA bout, Steven Jenkins (0-0) submitted Brodie Hayer (0-0) in the first round with a modified guillotine choke from north-south position.

For videos of all of Saturday night’s fights, as well as many other Indiana and Kentucky fights (including previous Hardrock events), check out www.youtube.com/user/watchtammytv and www.youtube.com/user/localfights. For more information about this event or those involved in promoting or covering it, check out the following sites:

Hardrock MMA (www.hardrockfight.com)

Tammy TV (www.watchtammytv.com)

Cage Craze (www.cagecraze.com)