May 24th, 2009 by TammyTV

Hardrock MMA Brings the Beatdown to E-town

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)

cage fighting, etown, hard rock, MMA