May 9th, 2008
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Friday May 9th, 2008 :: World Champion Louis Neglia knows what it takes to put on a good show – action, action & more action. ROC 19 served it up by the fistful! The Ring of Combat is officially the "Big show" on the east coast now with the HDnet broadcasting deal and every hungry local fighter looking for national recognition. Mr. Neglia brought in a new wave of hungry local talent to fight some the local established studs and it was a recipe for a hot plate of beatdowns. The first match of the evening pitted BJJ stud Ed Fyvie in his return to action against Atlantic City MMA fighter Anthony Morrison. Morrison was aggressive in his ground and pound as Fyvie attempted to submit him from the bottom. Morrison was winning the striking game but eventually fell in to a triangle choke that forced the tapout at 3:47 of R1. A triumphant return for the Ed Fyvie.
 The second match had two Jersey Shore tough guys facing off with Bill Scott representing BJJ Shore Academy/Ricardo Almedia against Atlantic City MMA fighter Joe Diamond. This was a very technical grappling match that could have been a NAGA championship by its intense grappling. Bill Scott appeared to have a slight advantage via take down and submission attempts after R1. We start R2 the same way R1 went with an immediate clinch and a cooperative take down by Scott. Diamond was nullified by Scott's high Guard and then sunk in an armbar from the bottom to force the tapout at 1:54 of R2. "Crazy" Chris Schlesinger looked to get back in to the win column after a year plus of down time. He rededicated himself with team Soca BJJ & Bellmore kickboxing and stepped up to face Izuma Te Ryu fighter Anthony Vetro. Vetro nails Schlesinger with three hard left hooks that do not faze Schlesinger who then clinches with Vetro. Schlesinger managed to get Vetros' back late in R1 but Vetro somehow powered out of the full mount and was able to escape and defend a late armbar attempt by Schlesinger. R2 begins with Sclesinger taking Vetro down and immediately securing his back he finished the match via Rear naked choke at :47 of R2.
 Serra/Longo warrior Anthony LaDonna also looked to get back in to the winners' circle as he faced off against Rhino heavy hitter Mike Medrano. Medrano threw heavy leather with bad intentions then shot in on LaDonna and took him down. The ground and pound began as Medrano laid in repeated blows from LaDonna' guard. A massive mouse appears over the left eye of Medrano although Ladonna took the worse of R1 it is Medrano who shows the damage. Medrano nails LaDonna with a big right hand as R2 begins and then shoots in and secures another takedown. More Ground and pound from Medrano, they stand up and LaDonna nails Medrano with a vicious flush overhand right which connects with the swollen left eye and wobbles Medrano momentarily but then WHAM! Medrano counters with a vicious right hook that knocks out LaDonna out on the spot for the KO victory 1:22 of R2. What a war, this is what MMA fans live for the thrill of the battle – hats off to both men.  The Alexis Aquino V. David Branch match up looked like a bad match up when considering experience. Branch is a new comer to the Pro MMA set but is no newbie to the sport, training out of Team Insight in Brooklyn and learning his BJJ through the Renzo Gracie family makes Mr. Branch one of the best prepared newbie's around. The Rhino Fight Teams' Alexis Aquino is not one to back down even when punished he keeps on coming forward. This match promised to be a slug fest and delivered but it was Branch who seemed sharper in the striking exchange early on. The two men clinch after feeling each others strikes. Branch continued to deliver knees from the clinch which set up a takedown which led to a full mount and a TKO finish at 3:29 of R1 due to unanswered strikes from the mount. A major upset from Team Insight – straight from Brooklyn where the Warriors dwell.  Reality Fighting veteran Dom Stanco has jumped ship and is now in the treacherous ROC waters. Waiting on the Jersey Shore for his arrival is Mark Berracol out of the BJJ Shore Academy/Ricardo Almedia. Stanco and Berracol put on a very technical grappling battle and had Berracol in trouble numerous times but to Berracols' credit he managed to escape until he was finally finished by Stanco at 3:57 of R2 due to unanswered strikes. The Eighth match of the evening featured fast rising Doug Gordon out of the Elite BJJ/Team Rush camp who faced new comer Levon Maynard representing Global Martial Arts Academy. Gordon quickly charged in and secured the takedown where he delivered strikes until the Ref stood them up. Maynard seemed to be getting comfortable delivering kicks to Gordons legs until Gordon decided he had had enough and charged in with his heavy hands to finish the bout with a huge uppercut at 2:15 R1 for the TKO Finish. Keep your eyes on Gordon he is a star on the rise. Undefeated Light heavyweight rising stud Ricardo Romero faced Constantinos Phillippou representing Team Serra/Longo. It is obvious that Mr. Phillippou is looking to make a name for him self in a hurry by facing Mr. Romero this early in his MMA career – baptizism by Fire. Costas looked sharp in the striking exchange and defended Romeros takes downs well after being slammed hard by Romero early on. Coach Ray Longo did his homework and prepared their fighter well as he won the first round with his sharp striking and take down defense. Round two begins with a quick exchange then Costas nails Romero with a hard right hand that rocks Romero but his wrestling instinct led him to secure a takedown and side control where Romero did nothing but smother Costas until he recovered. Romero then secures north south position and begins nailing Costas with strikes. Costas turns and Romero attempts an armbar, then a Guillotine; then are restarted to end a very methodical R2 slight edge to Romero for his control. R3 starts and both men look exhausted who has more in the gas tank?? Romero again secures the takedown and side mount on Costas and continues to deliver G & P. They stand up and again Romero secures the takedown and continues the Ground and pound assault until the bell rings. I score R3 for Romero and the referees agree but Costas should be proud of his performance as he faced a very tough opponent and belonged in the ring with him despite the split decision loss. The main event of the evening featured Nick Catone also representing BJJ Shore Academy/Almedia facing Mitch Whitesel from the Wreck Room for the USKBA Middleweight title. Catone and Whitesel exchanged strikes and then engaged in a cliching battle until Catone turned up the heat and laid in to Whitesel with a barrage of blows that forced the ref stoppage at 2:27 R1 to secure the USKBA Middleweight title!!
 Full results Anthony Morrison -156lb (AC MMA) V. Ed Fyvie 155lb (Spa City BJJ) Joe Diamond 198lb (AC MMA) V. Bill Scott 198lb. (BJJ Shore Academy) Anthony Vetro 189lb. (Inazuma Te Ryu) V. Crazy Chris Schlesinger 198lb. (Soca/Bellmore kickboxing) Mike Medrano 171lb. (Rhino Fight Team) V. Anthony LaDonna 170lb. (Serra/Longo) David Branch 185lb. (Renzo/Team Insight) V. Alexis Aquino 186lb. (Rhino Fight Team) Dom Stanco 175lb. (Bellmore Kickboxing) V. Marc Berracol 175lb. (BJJ Shore Academy) Levon Maynard 178lb (Global Martial Arts Academy) V. Doug Gordon 178lb. (Team Elite/Team Rush). Costas Phillippou 205lb. (Serra Longo) V. Ricardo Romero 205lb. (Advanced Martial Arts) Main Event – USKBA Middleweight Title Nick Catone 185lb. (BJJ Shore Academy/Ricardo Almedia) V. Mitch Whitesel (Wreckroom) Catone is the New USKBA Middle weight Champion!! Another Hot night if MMA Fire from promoter Louis Neglia!! Article, Interviews and Photos by Eric "The Rolling Reporter" Joza |