Gladiators 49 – Under Card Action

The Gladiators 49 under card featured nine MMA bouts and three submission grappling matches last night. Fan favorites such as Danny Boy Downes and Paul Martinez brought their fans with them and didn’t disappoint. Of the nine MMA bouts only one went to a decision and all were action packed.

The evening started out with submission grappling matches using rules and scoring in accordance with NAGA. Team Matamoros went (3-0) for the night in submission grappling and was determined not to let anyone come onto their turf and steal the show.

In the first match, Chuck Gruber of Fox Valley Grappling and Jason Kazmierczak of Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu squared off in a 205lb light heavyweight bout. Unfortunately, the match was almost a stalemate once the bout hit the mat with very little action as neither opponent was able to get anything going within the allotted time limit. Kaz outpointed Gruber (2-0).

In what was probably the most competitive grappling bout of the evening, Travis Hanson of the Fox Valley Grappling Club took on Scott Huston “We Have A Problem” of Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu. This was a match where Hanson was the bigger man at 225lbs vs. the 205lb Huston. However, Huston was higher ranked with a purple belt vs. a white belt in Hanson. Huston showed Milwaukee what Royce Gracie showed the world in the early nineties. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, better technique should prevail over strength and size in the long run. Huston won via kneebar at 3:23.

Ryan “The Beard” Williams of Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu decisively outpointed Chris McIntyre of Badgerland Jiu-Jitsu in Madison. Williams racked up points by using good transitions. Despite the final score being (8-0) I am quite sure McIntyre was not awarded points for his sweep when Williams had knee on stomach. Williams in turn swept McIntyre to full mount in the closing minute. I could be wrong regarding the scoring, as I am not a competitive grappler.

The first amateur MMA fight of the evening was probably the closest and hardest to call. Pete Miller of Third Heaven MMA took on Ryan Landry of Neutral Ground in a 155lb lightweight battle. The first round took place entirely on the ground. Landry attempted many sweeps but was not successful. Neither fighter utilized ground striking and left the round as a question mark in the eyes of the judges. The second round was clearly Landry’s and he achieved full mount from a takedown set up with strikes. His attempted heel hook and rear naked choke may have not finished Miller but cemented the second round as his for the taking. Miller then won the third round highlighted attempted arm bar. When the judges read the cards (30-29) for Landry, (29-28) for Miller, and (29-28) for Landry who won the bout via split decision.

Jimbo Abate of Rockford Kickboxing & Jiu-Jitsu threw some big lefts that dropped Steven Gonzales of Gracie Fighting in a 205lb light heavyweight battle. He immediately mounted Gonzales and unleashed some of the fiercest ground and pound of the evening. It was over before it even got started at 18 seconds in round one via TKO – referee stoppage.

In 135lb bantamweight action, Chris Hart of Third Heaven MMA defeated Matt “Pitt Bull” Ellis of Roufusport via rear naked choke at 2:33 in the first round. Ellis had a hard time dealing with the clinch of Hart early on. Hart unleashed some effective ground and pound that reinforced the reason why I am a writer and not a fighter.

Jake Kazmierski of Choice Martial Arts in East Troy took on Brad Funk of Carlson Gracie in Chicago in a 155lb lightweight bout. The match would be a classic match-up of striker vs. grappler. While Kazmierski showed some great striking including a head kick and a big knee to Funk, he was not able to deal with Funk excellent takedowns in the first round. In round two, Funk unleashed a big left hook and got himself a double leg takedown. After working for and achieving the full mount, Funk unloaded a barrage of ground and pound. Kazmierski showed his toughness and survived the round. In between rounds doctors came out to check on Kazmierski who was on wobbly legs. Doctors stopped the match in between the second and third round. Funk won via TKO – doctor stoppage.

197 lb Dwayne Davis stepped up to fight heavyweight Leland “Tank” Brown of Waukesha MMA on short notice. Apparently he must not have attended the rules meeting prior to the bouts. While achieving top position in the first round he unloaded a big and illegal knee to the head of “Tank”. The referee stopped the bout and Davis was deducted a point. Later Tank would have Davis against the fence. Davis grabbed the fence and was warned. Davis again grabbed the fence and was deducted another point. In the second round Davis pulled his mouthpiece out and tossed it across the cage. Leland “Tank” Brown won the match via DQ in the second round.

"Smoking Joe" Blake of Waukesha MMA wasted no time in his 155lb lightweight fight against Ben Gladem of Janesville. Blake fended off a guillotine attempt from Gladem to win via rear naked choke at 1:23 in round one

Danny Boy Downes of Roufusport defeated Jerold Steer of Minneapolis via TKO referee stoppage in 45 seconds. His ground and pound stoppage was set up with a thunderous head kick that energized the crowd. Wisconsin Combat Sports awarded Downes knock out of the night for the amateur bouts. Downes in turn, increased his amateur MMA record to (4-0) and will now become a professional fighter. No opponents have yet been discussed for his first professional bout.

Reed Ehmke of Neutral Ground in Milwaukee faced Ed Schultz of Team Dawg in Walworth in a 170lb welterweight bout. “Reed-Diculus” Ehmke fended off a guillotine after getting the takedown. Ehmke then got full mount from side control. From full mount he unleashed some ground and pound until Schultz gave Ehmke an arm. Ehmke wins via armbar at 1:02 in the first round earning submission of the night for the amateurs. Ehmke’s amateur record is now (4-0) and there are rumors that he may be going pro in his next bout.

In the final amateur bout of the evening, heavyweight Paul "Big Papi" Martinez of Roufusport quickly finished Michael "The Psyco" Garcia of Garcia Fighting in Milwaukee. Garcia tapped out from the heavy hands of Martinez. Martinez wins via submission due to strikes at 23 seconds in the first round. Martinez will next fight in the King of The Cage amateur heavyweight tournament next month. The winner of the sixteen man tournament will be awarded a professional contract with KOTC. Martinez who is (3-0) as an amateur should pose a threat in that tournament.

All in all, the amateur fighters put on just as good of a show as the professionals last night. I would like to thank Scott Joffe and Duke Roufus on behalf of Wisconsin Combat Sports for promoting a great show. Stayed tuned to for Tyler Welch’s write-up of the professional fights on the card. It should be published in the next day or so.

Amateur results are below:

Gladiators Fighting 49 – The Warriors
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Milwaukee, WI
02/17/2008

Undercard – Amateur Bouts

Submission Grappling -205lbs*
Chuck Gruber (Fox Valley Grappling-Appleton, WI)
vs.
Jason "Kaz" Kazmierczak (Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu-Milwaukee, WI)

Kazmierczak wins via points 2 to 0

Submission Grappling -225lbs*
Travis Hansen (Fox Valley Grappling-Appleton, WI)
vs.
Scott Huston "We Have A Problem" (Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu-Milwaukee, WI)

Huston wins via kneebar at (3:28)

Submission Grappling -185lbs*
Chris McIntrye (Badgerland Jiu-Jitsu-Madison, WI)
vs.
Ryan "The Beard" Williams (Matamoros Jiu-Jitsu-Milwaukee, WI)

Williams wins via points 8 to 0

Lightweight -155lbs
Pete Miller (Third Heaven MMA-Lake Mills, WI)
vs.
Ryan Landry (Neutral Ground Jiu-Jitsu-Milwaukee, WI)

Landry wins via Split Decision (30-29), (29-28), (29-28)

Light Heavyweight -205lbs
Jimbo Abate (Rockford Kickboxing & Jiu-Jitsu-Rockford, IL)
vs.
Steven Gonzales (Gracie Fighting-Milwaukee, WI)

Abate wins via TKO (referee stoppage) – RD 1 – (0:18)

Bantamweight -135lbs
Chris Hart (Third Heaven MMA-Lake Mills, WI)
vs.
Matt "Pit Bull" Ellis (Roufusport-Milwaukee, WI)

Hart wins via Rear Naked Choke – RD 1 – (2:33)

Lightweight -155lbs
Brad Funk (Carlson Gracie-Chicago, IL)
vs.
Jake Kazmeierski (Choice Martial Arts-East Troy, WI)

Funk wins via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) – RD 2 – (5:00)

Heavyweight -265lbs
Dwayne Davis
vs.
Leland Brown (Waukesha MMA-Waukesha, WI)

Brown wins via Disqualification – Refused to fight with mouthpiece.

Lightweight -155lbs
Ben Gladem (Independent-Janesville, WI)
vs.
"Smoking Joe" Blake (Waukesha MMA-Waukesha, WI)

Blake wins via Rear Naked Choke – RD 1 – (1:23)

Lightweight -155lbs
Jerold Steer (Fight Club Minneapolis, MN)
vs.
"Danny Boy" Downes (Roufusport-Milwaukee, WI)

Downes wins via TKO (Referee Stoppage) – RD 1 – (0:45)

Welterweight -170lbs
Ed Shultz (Team DAWG-Walworth, WI)
vs.
Reed Ehmke (Neutral Ground Jiu-Jitsu-Milwaukee, WI)

Ehmke wins via Armbar – RD 1 – (1:02)

Heavyweight -265lbs
Paul "Big Papi" Martinez (Roufusport-Milwaukee, WI)
vs.
Michael "THE PSYCO" Garcia (Garcia Fighting-Milwaukee, WI)

Martinez wins via Submission (due to strikes) – RD 1 – (0:23)

Evolution Fighting Championships: Schaumberg, Shaner, and Downes on the card

This Saturday will be a homecoming weekend for West Bend’s Gary Shaumberg. Fresh off his win at Gladiators 48, newly crowned GFS 145lb Featherweight Champion Gary Schaumberg looks to return to action this Saturday in his hometown of West Bend. Schaumberg is (2-0) as a pro and recently defeated Derek Griffin of Team Vaghi/Fox Valley Grappling Club in Appleton, Wisconsin for the vacant belt by rear naked choke in the first round.

With an amateur MMA record of (3-1-1) Schaumberg made his professional debut at Gladiators 47 in October. He faced Jordan “Hard Knocks” and won the fight via a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout (29-28).

Schaumberg is not defending his Gladiators title and will be fighting on the card of a non-local promotion called Evolution Fighting Championships. Schaumberg will be fighting Pete “The Piranha” Vandervort. Vandervort is listed as a Denver, Colorado resident and sport a (4-3) MMA record. Vandervort fights out of 3D martial arts and all four of his wins have come in the form of armbars. Schaumberg fights on the Roufusport team in Milwaukee.

Reese Shaner

Reese “Old Man” Shaner of Waukesha MMA will also be fighting on the card. Reese Shaner most recently defeated Andre Buffenbarger of Fort Wayne, Indiana in the first round via TKO (referee stoppage) at Gladiators 48 last month. The “Old Man” is riding a five-fight winning streak, winning all of his fights in 2007.

Shaner (9-4) faces off against Eric Adams of Minnesota. According to Sherdog.com, Adams has an MMA record of (1-2). If Shaner is in top form again like last month and brings his super-human strength it will be a long drive and a short fight for his opponent Eric Adams.

Danny Boy Downes

Roufusport fighter, Danny Boy Downes was nominated several times in Wisconsin Combat Sports – Best of 2007 Awards including Best KO, Best Striker, and Striking Match Of The Year. This Saturday he will fight in an amateur Muaythai kickboxing bout against Nick Marti. Most recently Danny Boy defeated Mike Biddle of Unified Martial Arts at the Combat USA show last month. Downes threw a high left head kick into a spinning back kick to the throat of Biddle ending the fight early in the second round.

Here is a card of bouts for the evening:

EFC: Evolution Fighting Championships
Ke-West Sports
West Bend, WI
01/19/2008

Gary Shaumberg vs. Pete “The Piranha” Vanderwort

Sherron “Rob Roy” Leggett vs. John Sergeant

Tim “The Archangel” Nixon vs. Cruz “The Saint” Chacone

Reese "Old Man" Shaner vs. Eric Adams

Amateur Muaythai Bout

"Danny Boy" Downes vs. Nick Marti




I attempted to contact the promoter to get an updated and complete card. He never returned my e-mail so I apologize for any inaccuracies that may present.

Fighter Interview: Mike Biddle of Unified Martial Arts in Fond du Lac, WI

I braved below zero temperatures a weekend ago to go train with and interview a few members of Unified Martial Arts in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Their gym, which is located in old warehouse had a broken heater and was being supplemented with a kerosene heater. Needless to say, there is a certain level of determination and being hard core that goes with training in that kind of environment. Three of their members are fighting in the Combat USA show in Menasha on December 22, 2007. Here is my interview and profile with Mike Biddle.

Mike Biddle

Mike Biddle is 27 years old and is co-owner of Unified Martial Arts gym in Fond du Lac, WI. He is the head instructor for kickboxing and MMA, while co-owner Jason Burroughs is the head Jiu-Jitsu instructor. He is recovering from a broken finger that was sustained while training with Gary Schaumberg, Gladiators new 145lb Featherweight Champion. He’s had some ups and downs in getting his fight MMA fight. Here’s his take:

“I’ve been trying to get a fight since September. I was supposed to fight September 29, but I got a Staph Infection. I had to pull out of that one. Then November 11, I was supposed to fight in Wisconsin Dells and that show got cancelled. Now this fight on December 22, my opponent was to be Pat McHugh. He broke his arm in training I was told, so he cannot fight. Adam Sandaval who is the promoter for Combat USA has been looking for a fight for me. I’m hoping he is able to get me one. I have been trying to get a fight now for three months so it is frustrating.”

Biddle recently took first place in the King Grappler tournament in Madison in October winning the 160-170lb intermediate division. I asked him how he became interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“I was working at Quad Graphics and was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by a guy named Z. Porski, a BJJ blue belt from Poland. When he moved back to Poland I started looking for a gym to train. It seemed like Fox Valley was the only place to go at the time and then I heard about Will at the Welcome Mat. Will Ernsberger, had previously trained with Henry Matamoros and Red Schafer, before that group split up. I hooked up with the Welcome Mat and have been hooked ever since. We moved to the old Goodrich high school balcony in Fond du Lac for just over a year. We couldn’t get an agreement with the athletic department, so we decided to start our own school, Unified Martial Arts.

On his style:

“It doesn’t matter where the fight goes, I can win the fight standing or on the ground. I’m not afraid to be on my back in an MMA fight. I think I have a decent ground game. I’ve been working on my stand up for the last year. I went down to Duke’s for a little while. I’ve also been training with Mike Vaughn, doing everything I can to get my standup going. I think my standup is surpassing my ground game now, which is great.”

“Ideally, I would not shoot in. I would stay standing. If I get hit with some shots and feel like he’s better than I am, then I would definitely try to shoot. I’m aggressive and I want to come out throwing punches and kicks right away. If he wants to take me down then he can do that, I work my sprawl hard. I train my ass off no matter where the fight goes.”

Sponsors:

“In Your Face Tattoos in Fond du Lac, which is owned by my friend Gavin Bowe. I’m also sponsored by the Coliseum Bar & Grill in Fond Du Lac. Lastly, by Hopper’s Screen Printing in North Fond Du Lac.”

On Gladiators 48:

“I was most impressed with Sam (Thao). Omar (Chowdury) did everything in his power to try and defend, but no one was going to stop Sam that night. He was determined and he imposed his will. Also my friend Gary Schaumberg, who we all know has been the man. Now he has the belt and I’m really proud of him for that.”

MMA Story:

“The first time I go to Duke’s to spar, I have to spar with Dan LaSavage right off the bat. I’m like OK, cool, I’ll do this. We start out, he hits me a couple times, and I’m like holy shit, this guy is really punching me in the face. He was hitting me and I was so freaked out that I couldn’t handle it. I just kept flinching so bad from him hitting me. I’m thinking, “Oh my god this guy is killing me and Cushman jumps in and starts telling him what to do. I’m getting kicked left and right. Cushman yells, “Head kick, Head kick.” Then bang – I got kicked right in the face. I ended up having a concussion from that. I didn’t have my hands up because I was stupid. My eye socket was all swollen, it was horrible, just bad. The lesson, keep your hands up and if your not on someone’s level, you probably shouldn’t spar with them.”

Danny Boy Downes

Since I interviewed Mike Biddle on Saturday, December 8th, I have learned that Combat USA has found an opponent to fill in for the injured Pat McHugh. Mike Biddle will now face Roufus Sport fighter Danny Boy Downes on December 22 in Menasha.

Downes has an amateur MMA record of (2-0) and has finished both of his opponents in the first round. In August, at a Gladiators show, Downes beat Jared Polden at 1:09 via TKO and most recently he fought and beat John Lovejoy at Gladiators 47 in October, via TKO at 1:00. It should be a tough test for the (0-0) Mike Biddle.

Expect more interviews and profiles from fighters in the Combat USA show this week. I’d like to thank Mike Biddle for inviting me up to Fond du Lac to train and interview the guys. Interviews with Unified Martial Arts fighters Scott Beck and Brad Resop should be posted in the next few days. Please support the local MMA scene and it’s athletes by going to the shows. Wisconsin Combat Sports will be there next Saturday covering the action. I hope to see you there.

This interview was originally posted on http://www.wicombatsports.com/ on 12-16-2007