Post by Peter Dilorenzo on Mar 9, 2009 8:42:29 GMT -5
AFO Review
Saturday, February 21 Braintree Sheraton
A sellout crowd enjoyed 13 outstanding bouts on AFO’s third installment of their MMA series at the Braintree Sheraton Hotel. The main event featured Brazilian Jui Jitzu brownbelt Daniel Sucuri against Raynham’s Mark Griffin at light heavyweight.
Although both weighed in below the 205 pound limit, the 6’2” Griffin looked the bigger and stronger man against the compact Sucuri, and continued to show it during the fight, using his size and strength to prevent Sucuri from securing any kind of significant hold and pounding away to a first round stoppage. Sucuri, who walks at under 200 pounds plans to take his time and drop down to the 185 pound division where he has felt he belongs for quite a while. Griffin looks to return as a very big 205 pounder on AFO’s next show April 11.
In a bit of an upset, Brandon Chagnon of Team Fury did his homework and avoided standing up with transitioning pro boxer Chris Traietti of Bishop’s Boxing and Fitness. Traietti, of nearby Quincy, scored an early knockdown with a left hand, but had to settle for a night on the ground with the clever Chagnon taking a split decision. Both men expressed the desire for a rematch, and negotiations are in the process.
Highly-regarded Tim O’Connell, in only his second MMA appearance, took a giant step up against Damian Trites of Waikru. Trites, 2-2 going into the bout, looked to be the stronger man against the 19 year old O’Connell, dominating the match to a first round stoppage via ground and pound. O’Connell looks to return in April for the previously discussed showdown with Doomsday’s Franklin Isabel, and AFO would love to see Trites return as well.
Maurice McNeil, 2-1, scored the knockout of the night as a very game late sub Josh Hardy, 0-1, walked into a perfectly timed right cross. Hardy, who took the fight on 8 hours notice, was not discouraged. “I can’t believe I was in an MMA fight,” he enthusiastically exclaimed. “I’m going to work my --- off and be back in June!”
Brian Marino, who is rapidly developing into a very well-rounded fighter had a few shaky moments in standup against Team Fury’s John Santos, 1-1. Santos boxed well, but Marino scored a takedown which had the crowd gasping, and tapped Santos out with a guillotine choke late in the first. Marino moves his amateur record to 3-0 and will make his pro debut in April.
In the most exciting fight of the night, 562 pounds of fighters gave it their all for three fast-paced rounds in a superheavyweight bout showing skill and determination. Chris Bagge of Bishop’s Boxing won a unanimous decision over Fairhaven’s Nathan Manzone.
Bagge advanced to 2-0, Manzone drops to 0-1.
South Shore Sportfighting’s John DeRusha won a hard-fought decision over Extreme MMA’s Elias Akiki in the 185 pound division. DeRusha used good wrestling to pull out a close nod over the superior kickboxer. It was the first amateur fight for both men.
Mike Mateus of LA Boxing choked out an aggressive Pete Revoredo in the fist round at 155 pounds.
Team Dangerous’s Chris Tracy overcame some shaky moments against Ben Cone in a super-heavyweight bout, eventually stopping Cone via rnc.
Extreme MMA’s Kin Moy and LA Boxing’s Theo Desjardin fought a spirited bout at 140 pounds, with the aggressive Desjardin leaving himself open through perhaps a bit too much aggression, giving Moy the opportunity to seize the moment for a rnc. Moy advances to 1-0, Desjardin 0-1.
Popular fighter Paddy Thompson of South Shore Sportfighting came close to losing by guillotine choke against the tenacious Dimitri Theodorides of LA Boxing, but reversed the hold to score his own submission, tapping out Dimitri by arm bar in the first round. Look for both to return in April.
Dmitri Kurin began his amateur MMA career with a perfectly placed leg kick on retired US Marine Bill Cardella seconds onto the fight, taking the mobility out of the former hand-to-hand combat veteran, creating the opening for a perfect hook causing a severe cut and prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Kurin looks to return on April 11 against SS Sportfighting’s Mike Romig.
Arthur Attaya of Waikru made his amateur debut against Charlie Phan of LA Boxing. Phan’s tactical error of going to the ground with the skilled Attaya was an early downfall, giving Attaya the first round stoppage via triangle in 37 seconds.
AFO returns on April 11 with Ken Stone of SS Sportfighting, O’Connell-Isabel, Chris Traietti, Paddy Thompson, Brian Marino, and many other exciting fighters.
Saturday, February 21 Braintree Sheraton
A sellout crowd enjoyed 13 outstanding bouts on AFO’s third installment of their MMA series at the Braintree Sheraton Hotel. The main event featured Brazilian Jui Jitzu brownbelt Daniel Sucuri against Raynham’s Mark Griffin at light heavyweight.
Although both weighed in below the 205 pound limit, the 6’2” Griffin looked the bigger and stronger man against the compact Sucuri, and continued to show it during the fight, using his size and strength to prevent Sucuri from securing any kind of significant hold and pounding away to a first round stoppage. Sucuri, who walks at under 200 pounds plans to take his time and drop down to the 185 pound division where he has felt he belongs for quite a while. Griffin looks to return as a very big 205 pounder on AFO’s next show April 11.
In a bit of an upset, Brandon Chagnon of Team Fury did his homework and avoided standing up with transitioning pro boxer Chris Traietti of Bishop’s Boxing and Fitness. Traietti, of nearby Quincy, scored an early knockdown with a left hand, but had to settle for a night on the ground with the clever Chagnon taking a split decision. Both men expressed the desire for a rematch, and negotiations are in the process.
Highly-regarded Tim O’Connell, in only his second MMA appearance, took a giant step up against Damian Trites of Waikru. Trites, 2-2 going into the bout, looked to be the stronger man against the 19 year old O’Connell, dominating the match to a first round stoppage via ground and pound. O’Connell looks to return in April for the previously discussed showdown with Doomsday’s Franklin Isabel, and AFO would love to see Trites return as well.
Maurice McNeil, 2-1, scored the knockout of the night as a very game late sub Josh Hardy, 0-1, walked into a perfectly timed right cross. Hardy, who took the fight on 8 hours notice, was not discouraged. “I can’t believe I was in an MMA fight,” he enthusiastically exclaimed. “I’m going to work my --- off and be back in June!”
Brian Marino, who is rapidly developing into a very well-rounded fighter had a few shaky moments in standup against Team Fury’s John Santos, 1-1. Santos boxed well, but Marino scored a takedown which had the crowd gasping, and tapped Santos out with a guillotine choke late in the first. Marino moves his amateur record to 3-0 and will make his pro debut in April.
In the most exciting fight of the night, 562 pounds of fighters gave it their all for three fast-paced rounds in a superheavyweight bout showing skill and determination. Chris Bagge of Bishop’s Boxing won a unanimous decision over Fairhaven’s Nathan Manzone.
Bagge advanced to 2-0, Manzone drops to 0-1.
South Shore Sportfighting’s John DeRusha won a hard-fought decision over Extreme MMA’s Elias Akiki in the 185 pound division. DeRusha used good wrestling to pull out a close nod over the superior kickboxer. It was the first amateur fight for both men.
Mike Mateus of LA Boxing choked out an aggressive Pete Revoredo in the fist round at 155 pounds.
Team Dangerous’s Chris Tracy overcame some shaky moments against Ben Cone in a super-heavyweight bout, eventually stopping Cone via rnc.
Extreme MMA’s Kin Moy and LA Boxing’s Theo Desjardin fought a spirited bout at 140 pounds, with the aggressive Desjardin leaving himself open through perhaps a bit too much aggression, giving Moy the opportunity to seize the moment for a rnc. Moy advances to 1-0, Desjardin 0-1.
Popular fighter Paddy Thompson of South Shore Sportfighting came close to losing by guillotine choke against the tenacious Dimitri Theodorides of LA Boxing, but reversed the hold to score his own submission, tapping out Dimitri by arm bar in the first round. Look for both to return in April.
Dmitri Kurin began his amateur MMA career with a perfectly placed leg kick on retired US Marine Bill Cardella seconds onto the fight, taking the mobility out of the former hand-to-hand combat veteran, creating the opening for a perfect hook causing a severe cut and prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Kurin looks to return on April 11 against SS Sportfighting’s Mike Romig.
Arthur Attaya of Waikru made his amateur debut against Charlie Phan of LA Boxing. Phan’s tactical error of going to the ground with the skilled Attaya was an early downfall, giving Attaya the first round stoppage via triangle in 37 seconds.
AFO returns on April 11 with Ken Stone of SS Sportfighting, O’Connell-Isabel, Chris Traietti, Paddy Thompson, Brian Marino, and many other exciting fighters.
