Coach Brian & Travis
A tough night. . . this last Saturday we had three athletes compete at the FCFF cage fighting show. The Portland Competition Team rarely loses one fight, so the losses this Saturday were a surprise to all of us.
Here is what happened.
First up was Hamilton Ash, aka: the Mexican Werewolf. Hamilton came prepared and so did his opponent for what turned out to be a very tough 3 round battle to the decision. His opponent, a lifelong wrestler wanted nothing to do with Hamilton’s hands. Shooting throughout the match Hamilton did a great job of sprawlng, staying on his feet, and fighting for top. As an athlete with less then two years of training and no prior wrestlng experience, Hamilton once again put on an incredible show of talent!
Hamlton scores a perfect takedown
In the second round Hamilton caught a very tight armbar from guard bottom, with his opponent barely escaping to end the third round.
Hamilton takes top
Towards the end of the third and final round Hamilton scored a nice takedown of his own, took mount, and believing he had heard the ten second timer went for an armbar.
Hamilton throws on the armbar from guard
That was a mistake as his opponent escaped, reversed the position, and ended the round on top just as the final bell rang. Had Hamilton stayed mounted he would have ended the match from there, and likely won. This s what amtauer events are all about. And you can be sure the Mexican Werewolf wont make that mistake again. Look for Hamilton to compete again on Jan 10th!
Hamilton goes for the finish after mounting his opponent
Next up was Kress, and this was perhaps the toughest fight of all as it was a pure fluke. Kress came into the ring prepared, in shape, and mentaly ready.
Kress, prepared and ready
His opponent was unable to make weight, and showed up two hours late, still above the 185lb limit. Normally we would have denied his opponent the fight. But Kress wanted the fight, so he ent forward. Within the first few seconds Kress nearly had his opponent unconsious with a lead jab. Then, without any contact at all from his opponent Kress slipped on something on the mat, falling down. His opponent jumped on this accident and took Kress’s back, sinking a choke.
The pic says it all, just a jab but his opponent nearly goes down.
We hope his opponent will still be game for the re-match Kress deserves, but since he has felt the striking power Kress has he may just avoid the fight. We will see. Regardless, look for Kress back in the cage Jan 10th.
Tom chasing his opponent
The main event was Tom Matijacik vs Pro Escobedo. This went to the decision, and by all accounts was pure robbery by the judges. Kudos to Pro being able to stay on his feet, but the entire three round event had Pro running from Tom, who was clearly the aggressor.
take a close look
Backpeddlng the entire time Pro spent most of the fight pinned up against the cage. It was a surprise to all of us when the judges came back with a decision for Pro. Even the audience, which had a lot of Pro’s fans in it, found themselves boo-ing at the silly decision. Since Pro currently holds the belt (as Tom resigned it since he was absent from the cage last Year), it could have been somewhat understandable had t been a draw, or split decision. But this is why you can never leave it to the judges. Look for Tom back in the cage sometime soon.
Travis with his game face on
For all Portland Gym members, remember the special 20 hour - ten week ATP semi-private session with Coaches Brian Walsh and Matt Thornton begin mid January. As does the 2009 ICC. Sign up now while spaces last!
