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By: Chris Gustafson, MMATorch Contributor Chris Gustafson is a new contributor here for MMATorch. Training out of the Ambition MMA gym in Eagan, MN, Chris is a cornerman for Strikeforce heavyweight Brett Rogers and will provide regional highlights from live events in the Minnesota area.
This past Friday night saw the return of Brutaal Promotions in a new venue at the Aldrich Arena on Saint Paul’s east side. The change was due to the closing of their past stage at the Myth night club. Instead of Brutaal's normally upscale night club feel, this took more of a benefit fight night approach with the proceeds going to a recently lost local police officer.
The first fight of the night was an amateur heavyweight bout between Chris Sheldon and Chris Lindquist. Chris Lindquist won the fight by referee stoppage due to strikes.
The second fight saw two 155 lbs guys square off. Ewan Nevin made short work of Andrew Enriquez with an easy take down to finish with a rear naked choke.
Up next was Mike Suttles and Rich Miller. In continuing so for with the theme of the night Miller landed a big knee which dropped Suttles, allowing him to finish it of with some vicious ground and pound.
Next fight was between Courtney Buck and Bryant Clark. This was one of the most exciting fights of the night with two very athletic fighters. The fight started off with an over the top entrance form Clark with every thing from throwing his cloths to the fans to a little dance ending in a tear-away pants finale. When the fight finally started Clark was greeted buy a mean head kick but some how managed in desperation to land a hook to save himself and take Buck to the ground. They remained one the ground for the rest of the round. Round two begin with a determined buck flying out his corner to greet Clark with a big head kick following with a few big knees. Clark stumbled back and then Buck finished him off with a heavy right hand. In my opinion Buck deserved a KO of the night award.
The next fight went back to the quick KO routine of the night where Charley Lynch made quick work of Nick Almen. Lynch looked liked he barely broke a sweat knocking out a soft Almen.
Craig Early and Brandon Merkt was a classic striker verse submission specialist battle next. Early, in his muay thai shorts, had a hard time keeping the distance and allowed Merkt to take him down. Merkt transitioned from submission to submission where he was finally successful on his third attempt at a triangle choke.
Following that fight was a bout between two large 185 pounders in Derek Smith and Josh Janousek. This fight was an all out brawl! These guys had no desire to block or brush away punches, it was all about beating each other to a pulp. In round 2 with both fighters wobbly Smith landed a flurry of big punches where his opponent lost his last marble and the ref jumped in to put a stop to the fight.
The final fight was the fight of the night. This bout was a title fight between Travis Reddinger and reaming champ Zack Wolff, and they put on a show. This fight was a strategic expedition of two well trained fighters. The theme of this fight was Reddinger staying away and striking from a distance and Wolff trying to take it to the ground. The fight was full of highlight reel combinations from Reddinger as Wolff's submissions attempts continuously got stuffed. In a credit to both fighters, this fight went all five, five minute rounds. The end result was Reddinger winning unanimous decision. All judges scored the fight 49 to 46. The very gracious new Champ contributed his victory to his team and tanning staff. Reddinger said "This is a team win, it's as much theirs as it is mine. I couldn't have done it with out them."
This card overall was moderately entertaining, with the final fight giving it a good finale. I hope to see Brutaal find a new home and return to there usually high level shows they normally put on.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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