(Photo by Micha Hamilton Photography and Design)

Lou Neglia's Combat at the Capitale fight cards are always stacked, which is why fans keep coming back for more.  On February 24th, the Capitale in NYC was rocking once again as the sold out crowd enjoyed yet another great night of kickboxing and muay Thai in Lou's 25th Combat at the Capitale show.  The main event featured an exciting bout between Tiger Schulmann's Julio Arce and defending WKA world champion Tim Amorim, who fights out of the Sitan Gym.  Arce looked great in winning a unanimous decision to take the 140 title. 

In other bouts, Lou Neglia's competition team went undefeated.  Michael Totoro had a spectacular head kick KO over Lance Kaplan, Andrew Ball dominated enroute to a second round TKO of Jess Pew, and Andrea DeAngelo looked very impressive in her unanimous decision victory over Tara Smith.

Here are the complete results:

160lb
Rich Schaffer (East West MMA) Def. Mr. Gonzolez (Lion Martial Arts) via Unan. Dec.

137lb
Odalis Gonzalez (TSMMA) Def. Katie Jankowski (Arlington LA Boxing) via Unan. Dec.

125lb
Naomi Cookson (Chok Sabai) Def. Jennifer Yang (Arligton LA Boxing) via Split Dec.

150lb
Felipe Carlos (East West MMA) Def. Ronnie Basu (TSMMA) via Split Dec.

140lb
Jennie Nedell (Longo Competition) Def. Bonnie Cooper (Chok Sabai) via split Dec.

185lb
Costa Gemelas (East West MMA) V. Audly Lion (Alpha Omega) – Exhibition No Contest

185lb
Andrew Ball (Neglia Competition) Def. Jess Pew (Alpha Omega) via TKO R2.

165lb
Alex Melt (Lions Martial Arts) Def. Andre Clark (TSMMA) via Unan. Dec.

134lb
Andrea DeAngelo (Neglia Competition) Def. Tara Smith (Warriors Martial Arts) via Unan. Dec. DeAngelo New N.E. WKA 134lb. Champion.

175lb
Matt Castillo (TSMMA) Def. Dan Authur (North Jersey MMA) via Unan. Dec.

140lb
Joe Kid Dynamite (Budokan) Def. Manny Collado (Alpha Omega MMA) via TKO -Throws at 1:36 R3. Collado could not continue.

170lb
Clinso Brumfeld (Arlington LA Boxing) Def. Felix Andino (Lion's Roar) via Unan. Dec.

Main Event
Julio Arce (TSMMA) Tri-State Champ (140lb) Def. Tim Amorim (Sitan Gym) WKA World Champ via Unan. Dec. ——-ARCE IS THE NEW CHAMPION!!!

(Photo by Micha Hamilton Photography and Design)

(Photo by Micha Hamilton Photography and Design)

(Photo by Micha Hamilton Photography and Design)

(Photos by Dan Rod)

Another great Ring of Combat took place on February 10th in Atlantic City.  Tom Deblass won the ROC heavyweight title with a stunning 41 second heel hook of tough Randy "The Wolf" Smith.  Tom is now the reigning ROC light heavyweight and the heavyweight champion, a feat only achieved one other time, by Gian Villante. It was a very impressive performance by Deblass, who was outweighed by about 30 pounds. 

Jeff Lentz also had a dominating performance, winning the ROC regional FW title.  Jeff was supposed to be fighting Deividas Taurosevicius, but Deividas had to pull out of the fight with a rib injury.  In his place stepped Giovanni Moljo, who was game but thoroughly outclassed by Lentz.  Jeff put on a striking clinic to win a lopsided unanimous decision.

Here are the official results:

Professional MMA

EVENT-

February 10, 2012
Ring of Combat
ROC XXXIX
Tropicana Hotel and Casino
showroom
Atlantic City

BOUTS-

Title Bouts-3 Five Minute Rounds plus 1 Five Minute Round in the event of a draw after 3

12
TITLE
240
Tom DeBlass vs Randy Smith
DeBlass 209. Smith. 238
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Bilyk, DePasquale, and Sinclair
DeBlass wins via tap due to heel hook at 0:41 of round one.

11
TITLE
145
Jeff Lentz vs. Giovanni Moljo
Lentz 144.5. Moljo 143
Ref Mulhall
Judges DePasquale, Sinclair and Tabora
Lentz wins unanimous decision in three rounds, all three judges 30-25.

Main Card (3 Four Minute Rounds)

10
180
Pete Sell  vs. Mitch Whitesel
Both fighters weigh 179
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Bilyk, Sinclair and Tabora
Sell wins unanimous decision in three rounds 30-29 Tabora, 30-28 Bilyk, and 29-28 DePasquale.

9
Uriah Hall vs. Daniel Akinyemi
185
Hall. 184.5. Akinyemi 183
Ref Mulhall
Judges DePasquale, Sinclair and Tabora
Hall wins via tap due to heel hook at 3:58 of round one.

8
Lester Caslow vs. Duane van Helvoirt
Caslow 149.5. van Helvorit 150
150
Ref Mulhall
Judges Bilyk, DePasquale and Sinclair
van Helvorit wins via tap due to triangle at 1:49 of round one.

7
Ed Gordon vs. Davit Tkeshelashvili
205
Gordon 203.5 Tkeshashvili. 205.5
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Bilyk, DePasquale and Sinclair
Gordon wins majority decision in three rounds 29-28, 29-28 and 29-29 DePasquale.

6
Jarred Mercado vs. Rafael Fagundes
146
Mercado 144.5. Fagundes 146.5
Ref Peterson
Judges Bilyk, Sinclair and Tabora
Mercado wins unanimous decision in three rounds 30-27, 30-27 and 30-25 Tabora.

5
Munah Hollandvs. Pearl Gonzalez
130
Holland 131. Gonzalez. 129
Ref Peterson
Judges DePasquale, Sinclair and Tabora
Holland wins majority decision in three rounds 29-28, 29-28 and 29-29 Tabora.

4
James Jenkins vs. Dwayne Shelton
148
Jenkins 148. Shelton 147
Ref Peterson
Judges DePasquale, Sinclair and Tabora
Jenkins wins via TKO referee stoppage at 1:51 of round three.

Preliminary Fights (2 Four Minute Rounds plus 1 Four Minute Round in the event of a draw after 2)

3
Frankie Perez vs. Jeremy Uy
155
Perez 154.5. Uy. 155
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Bilyk, DePasquale and Sinclair
Perez wins unanimous decision in two rounds, 20-17, 20-17 and 20-16 Bilyk.

2
Andre Harrison  vs. Carlos Fonseca
145
Harrison 145. Fonseca 144.5
Ref Peterson
Judge Bilyk, Sinclair and Tabora
Harrison wins unanimous decision in two rounds 20-18, 20-18 and 20-17 Tabora.

1
Pat Defranco vs. Whitney Francois
170
DeFranco 169.5. Francois 171
Ref Mulhall
Judges Bilyk, DePasquale and Sinclair
Francois wins via TKO referee stoppage due to punch at 2:31 of round one.

by Jim Genia

If you view the Northeast as a microcosm of the MMA world, then Ring of Combat and promoter Lou Neglia are akin to the UFC and Dana White. You simply cannot be a homegrown aspiring pro fighter around these parts without harboring designs on making your mark in ROC (or the Cage Fury Fighting Championship, but that's for another post), and given that dozens and dozens of UFC veterans can credit ROC as the stepping stone that helped them reach the Octagon, well, that makes Neglia the man who laid those stones down to create that path.

It's not hard to find old pics of Neglia from his championship-kickboxer days, but most of us know him as a promoter. Ring of Combat, which began in 2002 and is now up to its thirty-eighth pro installment, is perhaps his greatest achievement in the realm of MMA; however, there are amateur MMA events in there, too, plus a long-running NYC-based kickboxing show called Combat at the Capitale and a seemingly endless number of one-off events (Battle on Broadway featured kickboxing and MMA bouts in a hotel ballroom in Times Square almost a decade ago, while there was a recent kickboxing extravaganza out in Brighton Beach). Before that, there were fourteen Vengeance at the Vanderbilt installments on Long Island, which saw the likes of Matt Serra and Pete Sell getting their MMA on… heck, the first sanctioned MMA bout in New Jersey took place on one of Neglia's show in Atlantic City. "Longevity" may be an abstract concept to some promoters, but to Neglia, that word is like a genetic sequence coded into his DNA.

It takes a very shrewd business men to survive for any length of time in this sport, but Neglia has managed to temper that necessary shrewdness with traits like kindness, compassion and a genuine friendliness. If you're a reporter, he'll accomodate you; if you're a promising young upstart, he'll make sure you're tested (remember: padded records don't get you into the UFC, hard fights do); and if you're a grizzled veteran, he'll find a spot for you on the next card.

There's a few reasons why ROC has thrived for so long. But without question, the biggest one is Neglia.

by Kevin Garvey

MMA has seen many new organizations try to go head to head with the UFC and fail.  EliteXC,  Affliction, Bodog and the IFL all tried to compete with the UFC, but soon realized why the UFC is the number 1 MMA organization in the world.  It's nice to think big, but in MMA you have to be realistic.  The UFC is number 1 for a reason.  It has the best fighters on the planet and the best brand recognition.  And when it comes to business, Dana White and the Ferttitta brothers take a no holds barred approach to beating the competition, which is why the UFC is still the undisputed champion of MMA promotions.

One organization, however, Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat, has managed to thrive where so many others have failed.  The ROC is one of the longest running shows outside of the UFC, and the longest sanctioned promotion outside of the UFC.   And there is good reason for this.  Instead of trying to compete with the UFC, Lou Neglia sees his promotion as one where fighters can hone their skills to such a level that they can move on to the big show.  Indeed, where other promoters try to lock up their fighters into contracts that forbid them from fighting in the UFC, Lou encourages his fighters to move upwards and onwards.

"The UFC deserves its place in history," Lou said.  "They are the World Series of MMA.  I have a great relationship with the UFC and even have their logo on one of my event  posters.  When a fighter tells me he has on offer from the UFC, I gladly rip up his contract."

As a former kickboxing world champion himself, Lou understands the ambitions of professional fighters, and has a keen insight into what it takes to be a high level professional athlete.  He would never dream of trying to stifle their growth.   Lou takes great pride in developing the talents of his fighters, to the extent that an astounding 44 fighters who have fought at the ROC have moved on to the UFC, including current UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.  Many more if you count those who have moved on to Bellator, the WEC and Strikeforce.

Not only is Neglia the CEO of Ring of Combat, he is the matchmaker too.  And he's a tough matchmaker–there are no "gimme" fights at the ROC.  In this way, Lou prepares fighters for the adversity they will face in the Octagon.  He does his best to give fighters the kinds of tough fights they need to take the ultimate step in their MMA career.

"If you give people easy fights, what happens when they get to the UFC?" Lou said.  "The best fighters are in the UFC and you need to be prepared."

This mindset is why so many of his fighters have gone on to have great success in the Octagon.  Chris Weidman is the latest example of a fighter who fought his entire pro career at the Ring of Combat and is now undefeated in three fights in the Octagon.   His tough fights at the ROC have prepared him for the tough fights in the UFC.

But the ROC is about more than just finding and developing new talent.  The shows always feature "superfights" which include some of the sport's biggest names from all around the world.  At ROC XVIII, for example, the card featured fighters from Brazil, Canada and even the Republic of Georgia, making it a true international event.

This is all part of Lou's strategy to make the Ring of Combat the biggest show not competing with the UFC.  And his formula is working.  He is providing fighters with an opportunity of a lifetime, as well as giving MMA fans what they want most: the best fights you can find outside of the UFC.

The Rasputin is one of the most famous Russian nightclubs in the United States, and on December 2, 2011, it was filled to capacity with fight fans who enjoyed an evening full of world class kickboxing action.  Lou Neglia put on a great show, and the night and the sell-out crowd was treated some great action, including KOs and close decisions.  Many great camps were represented at the show, and the Neglia competition team went undefeated on the night.   Here are the official results:

Pat Sullivan def. Tom Casal by Unanimous Decision

Joe Tomaszewski def. Chris Bonilla by Split Decision

Dom Biondo def. Felipe Carlos by TKO

Odalis Gonzalas def. Nicole Cruz by Unanimous Decision

Micheal Totora def. Mike Casal by Unanimous Decision

Jennie Nedell def.Lauren Wygant by Unanimous Decision

Andrew Ball def. Costas Gemelas by Unanimous Decision

Christine DeRosa def. Lauren by Unanimous Decision

Matt Castillo def. Lance Kaplan by Unanimous Decision

Andrea DeAngelo def. Katie Jankowski by TKO

Omar Fowler def. Maris Bilecki by TKO

Ryan Cassar def. Justin Esperon by Unanimous Decision

Clinso Brumfield def. Dave Farely

Julio Arce def. Niko Tsigaras by Unanimous Decision

Chris Wagner def. Mike Corleone by TKO

Ring of Combat 38 is in the books and it was no surprise that Lou Neglia and company put on another stellar show.  The preliminary card had some very well matched fights, with only one getting a finish. Frankie Perez put on a Jiu-Jitsu show and subbed Allen Cozze with a tight Guillotine in the first round. The other prelims all went to the score cards.  Perez continues to impress in his young career. Expect big things from this kid.

The main event of the night and arguably the fight of the night belonged to Tom DeBlass and his Russian opponent, David Tkeshelashvili.  The two fighters went to war for three grueling rounds.  DeBlass controlled the pace and landed more strikes in each round.  Tkeshelashvili kept coming forward in a terminator like fashion, but was bested on the feet and on the mat.  The Russian proved to be a tough opponent to say the least.  DeBlass had his work cut out for him, but managed to pull out the unanimous decision victory.

Tkeshelashvili obviously came to fight, but despite a few decent takedowns, seemed to be a little overmatched by DeBlass’ skill set.  Tom dropped the Russian early in the fight with a quick punch and landed effective striking throughout the fight.  When the fight spilled to the mat, Tom used some great Jiu-Jitsu to sweep from guard to mount and got David’s back on more than one occasion.  Tom was a little frustrated after the fight as he had hoped to finish his opponent, but Tom took home the win, retained his Light-Heavyweight Title, and his unbeaten streak remains intact.

It was not such a good night for Team Serra, however, as two of Serra’s Champions were dethroned last night.  Peter “Drago” Sell was knocked out in the second round by Canadian, Nordine Taleb.  Taleb used some great footwork and movement to keep Sell guessing while landing some solid strikes and great combinations.  Sell had no answer for the Canadian’s attack and took a few punches too many before succumbing to Taleb’s strikes.  Nordine put on an impressive performance and took the ROC Welterweight Championship back to Canada.

Al Iaquinta came to defend his Lightweight Championship for the first time and despite a good start, got taken down and submitted for his troubles.  Pat Audinwood brought his A game last night and after eating a big punch early on, was able to recover and land some punches of his own before scoring a takedown.  From there Audinwood used his long limbs to grab a hold of Iaquinta’s arm and despite some great defense from Iaquinta, was eventually able to sink in the armbar and get the first round tapout and the ROC title.

Deividas Taurosevicus had the comeback of the night, last night.  Tauro was dropped and huirt early by up and comer, Marlon Moraes.  Moraes capitalized on his efforts and when the fight went to the mat, Moraes took Deividas’ back and was able to secure what appeared to be a very tight choke.  However, his position against the cage prevented him from using the leverage he needed to really sink in the choke.  Taurosevicus was able to escape, reversed the position, and secured his own rear naked choke and got the tap out victory near the end of the first round.  It was a great performance of perseverance from Deividas and a successful title defense.

The main card also saw some highly contested bouts.  Drew Puzon took a hard fought unanimous decision victory over Aung La N Sang.  Brett Linebarger put on a flawless performance in his unanimous decision win over Fikret Darzanoff.  Linebarger picked apart and beat the BJJ ace at his own game.  I look forward to seeing Linebarger back in the cage soon.  Ryan Vaccaro and Mike Prokop put on a great show for the fans, but it was the Pellegrino standout, Vaccaro, that broke his losing streak and took home the unanimous decision.  Thomas English, Chris Wade, Ande Harrison, and Pat DeFranco all won their respective bouts last night as well.

I also had the privilege of shadow judging the final five fights of the night and I have to say, it was incredibly different watching the fight as a fan and as a judge.  Things you might normally look past in a fight because you are rooting for one particular fighter, you cannot when you are a judge.  It changes everything about the fight from the judge’s perspective.  I had a blast, learned some new things, and look forward to judging again in the future.  Thanks to Nick Lembo, for the opportunity and Anthony Tamburino, for letting me observe over his shoulder for those five fights.  The judging in the state of NJ is some of the best around.  Now I know why, first hand.

This card was filled with action and excitement.  The  capacity crowd in attendance was absolutely electric.  Great fans and great fights are the ingredients of a great promotion.  Ring of Combat is just that.  Another great show and we are already looking forward to the next one.  I hope to see you all there.  Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Here are the official results from the NJSACB:

Title Bouts—3 rounds of 5 minutes, plus one round of 5 minutes in the event of a draw.

13 Co-Main Event. 205 TITLE
Davit Tkeshelashvili (124-522) vs. Tom DeBlass (106-968)
Tkeshashvili 203. DeBlass 205
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Tirelli
DeBlass wins unanimous decision in three rounds 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 Tirelli.

12. Co-Main Event. 170 TITLE
Nordine Taleb (123-498) vs. Pete Sell (102-216)
Taleb 170.5. Sell. 170
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Krawiec, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Taleb wins via KO at 0:53 of round two.

11. 145 TITLE.
Marlon Moraes (125-123) vs. Deividas Taurosevicus (105-898)
Moraes. 144. Taurosevicus 145.5
Ref Oliver
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Taurosevicius wins via head and arm choke at 2:34 of round one.

10. 155 TITLE.
Patrick Audinwood (106-014) vs. Al Iaquinta (105-390)
Audinwood 155.5. Iaquinta. 154
Ref Peterson
Judges Krawiec, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Audinwood wins via verbal tap due to armbar at 2:06 of round one.

Main Card–3 rounds of 4 minutes

9. 185. Main Card
Aung La N Sang (118-847) vs. Drew Puzon (106-488)
N Sang. 183.5. Puzon. 185
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Puzon wins unanimous decision in three rounds 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 Tirelli.

8. 185. Main Card
Brett Linebarger (106-504) vs. Fikret Darzanoff (120-205)
Linebarger 183.5. Darzanoff 186
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Krawiec, Proenza and Sanidad
Linebarger wins unanimous decision in three rounds, all three judges 30-27.

7. 147 Catchweight Main Card
Jarred Mercado (117-316) vs. Jerome Isip (101-230)
Both fighters weigh 147
Ref Peterson
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Mercado wins unanimous decision in three rounds, 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 Sanidad.

6. 155 Main Card
Mike Prokop (103-005) vs. Ryan Vaccaro (103-092)
Prokop. 154. Vaccaro. 154.5
Ref Peterson
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Vaccaro wins unanimous decision in three rounds, all three judges 30-27.

Preliminary Bouts—2 rounds of 4 minutes, plus a 3rd round of 4 minutes in the event of a draw.

5. 155. Preliminary
Allen Cozze (101-879) vs. Frankie Perez (102-979)
Cozze. 154.4. Perez. 155.5
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Tirelli
Perez wins via guillotine at 1:09 of round one.

4. 150. Preliminary
Anthony Facchini (101-886) vs. Tom English (104-958)
Facchini 150.5. English. 150
Ref Oliver
Judges Krawiec, Proenza and Tirelli
English wins unanimous decision in two rounds, all three judges 20-18.

3. 170. Preliminary
Chris Wade (121-115) vs. Vinicius Agudo (125-458)
Wade 167 Agudo. 168
Ref Oliver
Judges Krawiec, Proenza and Tirelli
Wade wins unanimous decision in two rounds, all three judges 20-18.

2. 145. Preliminary
Alex Davydov (114-712) vs. Andre Harrison (106-337)
Davydov. 144. Harrison 145.25
Ref Oliver
Judges Krawiec, Proenza and Tamburrino
Harrison wins unanimous decision in two rounds, all three judges 20-18.

1. 170. Preliminary
Robert Gittens (114-983) vs. Pat DeFranco (117-526)
Gittens. 166.5. DeFranco. 170
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Krawiec, Proenza and Tirelli
DeFranco wins unanimous decision in two rounds, all three judges 20-17.

COMBAT AT THE CAPITALE
REPORT BY ROBERT S. REITER.

FULL RESULTS FOR COMBAT AT THE CAPITALE
ON SEPTEMBER14, 2011:

AmateurMiddleweight Men – Muay Thai:Howard Wang (B52 Muay Thai) def. Mike Hurtinole (TeamTyrant) by TKOat 1:08 of Round 3.

AmateurSuper Middleweight Men – Muay Thai:Randy Brown (Budokan) def. Jeremy Uy (Miletich Fighting Systems) by Unanimous Decision:  30-25, 30-26, 30-25.

AmateurSuper Middleweight Men – LowKick:Michael Tortora (Neglia Competition Team) def. Raul Gonzalez (Alpha Omega MMA) by Unanimous Decision:  30-275, 30-26, 30-27.

AmateurLightweight Women – Muay Thai:Tiger Lily Charles (EFA) def. Odalis Gonzalez (Team Tiger Schulmann) by TKOat 1:08 of Round 1.

AmateurJunior Welterweight Men – Muay Thai:Kyle Wehrhahn (Impact/Pellegrino MMA) def. JohnJononulak (Weapons9/Strategic Combat Academy) by Unanimous Decision:  30-27, 29-27, 30-27.

AmateurCruiserweight Men – Muay Thai:Jose Marin (The Center Martial Arts) def. PaulMiller (B-52 Muay Thai) by Unanimous Decision:  30-27, 29-27, 30-27.

AmateurLight Heavyweight Men – Muay Thai:Ryan Owens (Serra Longo Competition Team) vs.Mike Nitto (Impact/Pellegrino MMA). Draw:  28-28, 28-27, 29-29.

AmateurCruiserweight Men – Low Kick:JoshuaGermain (East West MMA) def. Andrew Ball (Neglia Competition Team) by KOat 1:30 of Round 1.

AmateurJunior WelterweightWomen – Low Kick:Jennie Nedell (Fusion Competition Team) def. Jennifer Yang (Arlington LA Boxing) by Unanimous Decision:  30-27, 30-27, 30-27.

AmateurSuperMiddleweight Men – Muay Thai:Mike Casal (Alpha Omega MMA) vs.Lance Kaplan (Brooklyn MMA). Draw:  28-28, 30-27, 28-28.

AmateurCruiserweight Men – Muay Thai:Ed Sabino (Sierra Longo Competition Team) def. ChrisFigueroa (Lion’s Roar Muay Thai) by Majority Decision:  29-28, 28-29, 29-28.

AmateurJunior Welterweight Men – Muay Thai:Julio Arce (Team Tiger Schulmann) def. MathewEason (Champion Karate Academy) by TKOat 1:20 of Round 3.

AmateurJunior WelterweightWomen – Low Kick:Andrea Deangelo (Neglia Competition Team) def. Katie Jankowski (Arlington LA Boxing) by Unanimous Decision:  30-27, 29-28, 30-27.

AmateurMiddleweight Men – Muay Thai:Christian Deferis (Alpha Omega MMA) def. Rich Castro (Latino MMA Soldiers) by Unanimous Decision:  29-27, 30-26, 30-26.

WKA Regional AmateurMiddleweight Men’s Championship – Muay Thai:Stephen Regman (Alpha Omega MMA) def. Felix Andino (Lion’s Roar Muay Thai) by Majority Decision:  39-27, 38-38, 39-37.

FULL RESULTS FOR COMBAT AT THE CAPITALE
ON SEPTEMBER14, 2011(Continued):

WKA U.S.A. AmateurJunior Lightweight Women’s Championship – Low Kick:Christine Tyqueginco (Art Martial Arts) def. Heather Hardy (D’Energizer Fight Team) by Unanimous Decision:  39-37, 39-37, 39-37.

ProfessionalWelterweight Men – Muay Thai:Jim “El Toro” Rivera (Team Tiger Schulmann) def. Kevin “The Jet”Molina (Molina Martial Arts) by Majority Decision:  39-37, 38-38, 40-36.

WKA NYS AmateurCruiserweight Men’s Championship – Muay Thai:Steve Hernandez (Pin Point Muay Thai) def. DanGirace (Serra Longo Competition Team) by Unanimous Decision:  40-36, 39-37, 40-36.

ProfessionalJunior Welterweight Men – Muay Thai:Terrence “The Truth” Hill (Bellemore Kickboxing) def. Troy Yania (PA Damage, Inc.) by TKOat 1:30 of Round 2.

ProfessionalCruiserweight Men – Muay Thai:James “B-52” Smith (B-52 Muay Thai) def. Mike Parker (Arlington LA Boxing) by KOat 2:22 of Round 2.

WKA AmateurLight HeavyweightMen’s Championship – Muay Thai:Mike Fischetti (Team Tiger Schulmann) def. Carlos Tanas (Team Hail Mary) by KOat 1:28 of Round 1.

On September 9^th 2011, Lou Neglia’s 37^th Ring of Combat was held at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. In his usual fashion Neglia offered fans a night filled with thrilling fights. In addition to the main card, which featured an exhilarating super fight and three championship fights, the explosive undercard did not disappoint fight fans.

The super fight of the night saw a rematch between Chris “The Story” Liguori, who trains at Ricardo Almedia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and John Salgado, of Fusion MMA. Round one was evenly matched, with both fighters exchanging strikes and scrambling to gain control on the ground. Despite Salgado’s strong take down defense, Liguori was able to take him down in the second round.  Once on top, Ligouri was able to dictate the pace of the remainder of the round. With both fighters exhausted in the final round, they traded punches and kicks in one of the most exciting back and forth fights of the night. Ultimately, it was Liguori, who trains with Frankie Edgar’s Boxing coach Mark Henry, that landed a flush right that knocked out Salgado in the third round.

In the first championship bout of the evening, New Jersey’s own Tom DeBlass won the Ring of Combat Light-Heavyweight Title by TKO-ing Team Bombsquad’s, Mike Stewart. DeBlass, who also trains with Ricardo Almeida and Frankie Edgar, dropped Stewart with a big right hand early on. Stewart quickly recovered and instinctively took DeBlass down. After a back and forth scramble on the mat, both fighters were once again back up to their feet. DeBlass, who has focused intensely on improving his striking, landed a solid left hook that caught Stewart square on the jaw. Stewart dropped to the mat and DeBlass seized the opportunity, pouncing on Stewart and dropping bombs until the fight was called three minutes into the first round.

In a highly anticipated rematch, Al Iaquinta of Team Serra Longo took on Vitor Shaolin Jiu-Jitsu’s Gabe Miglioli for the vacant Lightweight championship.  At ROC XXXVI the two met in what was one of the most thrilling battles in the promotion’s history, with undefeated Iaquinta earning the razor close split decision. Friday night’s victory for Iaquinta was much more convincing. Iaquinta came out on fire, catching Miglioli with a high kick that sent Miglioli into the cage. Iaquinta attacked with some ground and pound and the fight was stopped only 26 seconds into round one, earning Iaquinta the Lightweight Championship.

In the Featherweight Championship title fight, WEC and IFL vet, Deividas Taurosevicious, who once fought the current UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar, defeated Ronnie Rogers, who was fighting for the sixth time in 2011. Rogers, no stranger to the cage, has fought for both Strikeforce and Bellator promotions. After a takedown early in round one by Taurosevicious, most of the first round was spent in a scramble to gain position with a few unsuccessful guillotine attempts by both fighters. In the second round, Taurosevicious had Rogers tied up in a clinch up against the cage and utilized his knees to wear Rogers down. Taurosevicious got another takedown, took Rogers’ back, flattened him out, and got the rear naked choke for the submission victory.

The undercard of this show had some amazing action as well. After feeling each other out briefly, Bellmore’s Kickboxing Academy’s Tom English connected with a right hook that dropped Virginia’s Carlos Oliveira. English jumped on Oliveira and finished the fight with another big right. This was the third fight in 2011 for English and he was able to add another “W” to his record by getting the KO victory.

Shawn “Wing Chun Kid” Obassi came out taunting AMA’s Chris Birchler. Birchler took Obassi down early in the first round, and Birchler easily dominated the rest of the round, including dishing out some vicious ground and pound that left Obassi gassed and probably regretting his earlier antics. Birchler mounted Obassi and the “Wing Chun Kid” turned, giving up his back. Birchler landed a few punches and Obssai was forced to verbally tap, giving Birchler the win by verbal submission due to strikes.

It was a BJJ matchup between submission specialists Casey Manrique, who trains with Marcelo Garcia, and Aung La N Sang of Crazy 88 BJJ. However, Manrique’s ground game was no match for N Sang who maintained a dominant position for all of the first round. Just seconds in to round two, after a quick takedown, N Sang quickly trapped Manrique and finished with some ground and pound and N Sang earned the TKO victory.

Jimmy Jenkins of Team Serra Longo remained undefeated by finishing off Cody Castillo with a beautifully executed standing guillotine at only 24 seconds into round one. This move is reminiscent of the SOTN win at UFC 131 by Jenkins’ Serra Longo teammate, the former ROC champion and up and coming UFC prospect, Chris Weidman. This was definitely an impressive showing for Jenkins and he improves his winning streak to four in a row.

Jenkin‘s teammate, Ed “Truck” Gordon‘s victory over Steve Edwards was not as quick, but still as sweet. In the first round, Edwards, the Black and Blue MMA standout, attempted an armbar. After spinning out though, Truck was able to maintain top position. Truck then used his massive body weight to smother his opponent, pushing him up against the cage and landing some hard blows. Round two saw Truck controlling Edwards until Edwards caught Truck in a Kimura that lasted almost thirty seconds. Truck remained composed, did not tap, and the fight was ended by medical stoppage from Edward’s corner.

Michael LaDuke had some slick submission attempts in round two against Team Bombsquad’s, Brian Kelleher. However, Kelleher was able to inflict too much damage as the fight went on. Kelleher was able to press LaDuke up against the cage and after a few punches to the face, a cut above LaDuke’s left eye from the previous round opened up and doctors were forced to stop the fight.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu specialist, Matt Ruskin came out throwing a fury of fists and elbows against Eduardo Telles at the opening bell. However, once on the mat, Ruskin locked Telles in a body triangle and continued to land some heavy strikes until Telles, a BJJ black belt under Fabio Gurgel, escaped and maintained top position. Telles then put on his own display of ground and pound until he finished the fight with a textbook armbar in the first round.

Ring of Combat is a showcase for local fight talent and former ROC champions have gone on to fight in promotions such as Bellator, Strikeforce and the UFC. This past Saturday fans were able to witness the crowning of three new ROC Champions; Light-Heavyweight Tom DeBlass,

Lightweight Al Iaquinta and Featherweight Deividas Taurosevicious. If you can’t get down to Atlantic City to enjoy the fights you can always watch them on Gofightlive.com. But with the talent that comes out of the ROC, you never know where you may these see these fighters next. Perhaps on MTV2, Spike, or PPV, or maybe even one day on Fox.

Here are the official results of the bouts:
 

Feature bouts-
3 rounds of 5 minutes, fourth 5 minute round in the event of a draw

145 TITLE
Ronnie Rogers (118-706) Vs. Deividas Taurosevicus (105-898)
Ref Oliver
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Urso
Both fighters weigh 146
Taurosevicus wins via rear naked choke at 3:24 or round two.
Taurosevicus suspended 45 days for laceration healing.

160 SUPERFIGHT
John Salgado (100-280) vs. Chris Liguori (105-585)
Ref Peterson
Judges Sanidad, Tamburrino and Urso
Both fighters weigh 160
Liguori wins via KO punch at 4:12 of round three.
Salgado suspended 60 days for KO.
Salgado suspended indefinite pending CT head scan.


155 TITLE
Gabriel Miglioli (119-464) vs.
Al Iaquinta (105-390)
Ref Peterson
Judges Bilyk, Sinclair and Urso
Miglioli. 156. Iaquinta 154.5
Iaquinta wins via TKO referee stoppage at 0:26 of round one.
Miglioli suspended indefinite pending opthomologist clearance

205 TITLE
Mike Stewart (101-062) vs. Tom DeBlass (106-968)
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Dudley, Tamburrino and Urso
Stewart 202. DeBlass. 205
DeBlass wins via KO punch at 3:07 of round one.
Stewart suspended 60 days for KO.
Stewart suspended indefinite pending CT head scan.

Main Card–
3 rounds of 4 minutes

185
Aung La N Sang (118-847) Vs. Casey Gonzalez (103-392)
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Bilyk, Sanidad and Urso
N Sang. 184.5. Gonzalez. 185
N Sang wins via TKO referee stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 1:03
of round two.
Gonzalez suspended 60 days for TKO.
Gonzalez suspended indefinite pending CT head scan

145
Cody Castillo (100-491) Vs. James Jenkins (100-315)
Ref Oliver
Judges Bilyk, Dudley and Urso
Castillo 142. Jenkins. 145.75
Jenkins wins via standing guillotine at 0:24 of round one.

170
Eduardo Telles (123-780)Vs. Matt Ruskin (123-716)
Ref Peterson
Judges Bilyk, Sanidad and Urso
Telles. 169.75. Ruskin 169.50
Telles wins via armbar at 3:10 of round one.
Telles suspended 45 days for facial laceration
Ruskin suspended 30 days for facial laceration.

130
Michelle Ould (117-651). Vs. Munah Holland (113-946)
Ould. 129. Holland. 130.5
Fight canceled
Ould suspended indefinite pending MRI of lower spine

135
Michael LaDuke (107-028) vs.
Brian Kelleher (100-336)
Ref Oliver
Judges Dudley, Sanidad and Urso
LaDuke. 134.75. Kelleher 136
Kelleher wins via TKO doctor stoppage due to laceration at 3:14 of round
three.
LaDuke suspended 45 days for facial laceration.

205
Steve Edwards (116-852)
Vs. Ed Gordon (115-268)
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Bilyk, Tamburrino and Urso
Edwards 203 Gordon. 202.5
Gordon wins via TKO doctor stoppage in corner at 3:00 of round two.

Preliminary Card-
2 rounds of 4 minutes, third 4 minute round in the event of a draw

260
Shawn Obasi (123-714) Vs.Chris Birchler (119-159)
Ref Miragliotta
Judges Dudley, Sanidad and Tamburrino
Obasi. 227.75 Birchler. 248
Birchler wins via TKO verbal tap due to strikes at 2:47 of round one.

145
Carlos Oliviera (114-152) Vs. Tom English (104-958)
Ref Oliver
Judges Bilyk, Dudley and Tamburrino
Oliviera. 142.50. English 145
English wins via KO punch at 1:59 of round one.

Melissa Laterra def. Danielle Farula

John Onulak def. Nico Caine

John Maguire vs. Val Stoyanov

Vinny Landolfo vs. Manny Collado

Costa Gemelas draw Andrew Ball

Katie Jankowski vs. Jennie Nedell

Sean Nolan def. Chris Edmund

Paul Miller def. Ryan Owens

Andrea DeAngelo def. Olga Khanukaeva

Ed Lenoli def. Mike Casill

Julio Arce def. George Derock

Joe Bastone def. Juan Fertita

Mike Miso def. Justin Esperson

Stephan Regman def. Chris Molina: Regional Championship

Pro Bouts:

Mario Cowboy Vaguero vs. Cannon

Deshawn Robertson vs. Terrence Hill

Mike Fischetti def. Luis Ruiz, Jr.:  NY State Muay Thai Championship