California Fight Syndicate hit the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica for its Rivalry pro-am card on January 28th. Four preliminary California Amateur MMA Organization bouts preceded the four Professional main card fights with the main event pitting Ultimate Fighter veteran Joseph “Leonidas” Henle against the Fresno middleweight Michael Moreno.
A classic wrestler versus jiu jitsu matchup between Andrew Hollingsworth and Shane Mervau took the undercard’s attention in a 190 pound catch weight fight. The standup war quickly made its way to the mat when the Bond Squad wrestler, Mervau, shot in for the takedown. Mervau grappled his way to a solid posture from guard and began the ground and pound attack, when seconds later Hollingsworth’s corner threw in the towel.
Knuckleheads Boxing Team member Tim Riscen took on Kyle Smith in a bantamweight showdown. Riscen aggressively went to work with a double leg into a half guard, attempted a top guillotine, but ran out of time to finish in the first round. At the start of the second round, the southpaw Riscen was pulled into Smith’s guard. Denying Riscen time to adjust, Kyle Smith slapped on an airtight triangle choke putting the, refusing to tap, Riscen to sleep in the middle of the second round.
The arena filled with excitement after this lightning quick stoppage, as even the card’s other fighters wanted in on the fun. Armenian born, fighting out of Glendale, California, and also a contestant on Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, Sevak Magakian would get his turn. Magakian faced lightweight Alex Garcia in the night's second professional bout. The Armenian's intense focus promptly exploited a Garcia mistake, as Magakian landed a few quick punches into a big judo throw. After working towards an armbar, the TUF veteran adjusted into a sharp kimura, stopping the fight and sending the building into mayhem.
Jesse “Powder” Newell and Aaron “Blood Spiller” Miller took the stage as the night’s co-main event, but it was evident that these featherweights wanted a headliner-caliber spotlight, which is exactly what they received. With both scrappers going toe to toe, Miller was able to slice through the wild head movement and footwork of Newell. “Blood Spiller” out-boxed and outclassed Newell, while it was “Powder’s” fantastic chin granting the fight three riveting rounds. The way that these scrappers sat in the pocket and traded with such intensity made the co-main event worthy of Fight of the Night.
The main event’s Joseph “Leonidas” Henle put on a grappling clinic, and maintained substantial control over Michael Moreno for all three rounds. With a few takedowns and a constant advance in ground position, "Leonidas" took the split decision and racked up his third straight victory.
UFC Middleweight contender Mark “The Philippino Wrecking Machine” Munoz also made an appearance in Santa Monica, cornering Henle, who trains with Munoz at Reign Training Center in Mission Viejo. Also present was Santa Monica native, and Strikeforce featherweight contender, Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey. Vendors at the event included Bite Defense (BiteDefense.com), Bomb 1st (Bomb1st.com), Killer Beez Fight Shop (KillerBeezFightShop.com), and Fight Me (FightMeClothing.com). The official after party took place at South Bar (SouthSantaMonica.com) on Wilshire Boulevard.
Sevak put on an AMAZING performance. Terrific throw into an armbar. He just didn't give up.
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