NAAFS News

12/6/10 (Cleveland, OH): The historic Grays Armory in downtown Cleveland was the setting for this years version of NAAFS Night of Champions. With nearly 100,000 total viewers tuning in to watch live on-line and a full house in attendance to witness the action in person, this pro/am fight card would not disappoint.

The nights first fight saw top ranked Isaiah Chapman (8-1) take out Brett Gruber (4-3) to capture the NAAFS 2010 national amateur bantamweight title. After exchanging on their feet early, Chapman nearly submitted Gruber with a rear naked choke attempt that left Gruber seemingly unconscious in the closing seconds of the first round. But after a quick examination from the cageside physician, it was determined that the fight would resume and Gruber was able to continue. It wouldn’t make a difference however as Chapman dominated the action from the opening bell and showed fans why he went wire to wire as the divisions number one ranked fighter.

Next up the NAAFS national amateur featherweight title was up for grabs when top ranked Justin Steave (12-5) took on Clint Musselman (5-3) who came in ranked number two in the division. Steave took the early edge on his feet with crisp and accurate striking that seemed to frustrate Musselman. After winning round one, Steave showed off his versatility and submitted Musselman via armbar in the second round earning the 2010 amateur crown.

One of the most dominant amateurs in the 2010 series, Clint Musser (5-0) from Evolve MMA in Medina, Ohio took care of Jamestown, New Yorks Joe Goyette (6-2) of Team Air-Gadfly. The former Penn State wrestling standout overwhelmed his opponent with an onslaught of takedowns that prevented the heavy handed Goyette from mounting an attack of his own. Musser will now likely look to turn pro after posting a 5-0 record in 2010.

Team GriffonRawls George Comer (9-0) became the first ever amateur to earn back to back NAAFS national titles in two different weight classes after a hard fought victory at NOC over Evolve MMA’s Josh Oppenheimer (5-3). The 2009 national amateur lightweight champion moved up to the welterweight division for this years series and capped off a decorated amateur career with a unanimous decision victory over the young and talented Oppenheimer. The first round may have been Oppenheimers best round as he stayed on the outside and kept Comer off balance with a significant reach advantage. But Comers superior wrestling would be the difference as he came back to take rounds two and three on his way this years welterweight title.

Team Instigators Chase Owens (8-2) outlasted Bob Rech (6-2) in a competitive middleweight bout to earn the 2010 NAAFS national title at 185 pounds. The former University of Toledo running back and 2009 NAAFS national finalist, Owens was awarded the unanimous decision victory in what was a back and forth war.

Now fighting out of Naples, Florida, Buckeye MMA’s Mike King (6-1) took out number one ranked Jeff Hughes (6-2) in a fast paced light-heavyweight clash. Hughes started strong catching King in an early tai clinch and aggressively threw knees to the body of King. But the Ohio native rallied with a series of right hands followed by an uppercut that did the majority of the damage and closed the deal for King midway through the opening round.

Team Impact’s Nelson Best (7-1) continued his impressive run in the NAAFS with a ferocious knock out victory over reigning amateur champion Rick Day (8-1). Best was able to get inside and work the body early on against the taller Day but it was a the big overhand right that caught Day square on the chin and ended the fight in the opening round. Best has now KO’d three of his last four opponents in route to the 2010 national title.

In the NAAFS national amateur female lightweight division, it was Tamikka Brents  (6-0-1) keeping her undefeated record in tact after defeating Jessica Zomcik for the second time in a six month span. After winning by unanimous decision back in June, Brents wasted little time this time out. The heavy handed Brents, surprised many fans when she took the “DNA princess” down just moments in to the fight. From there Brents was able to mount and pound her way to a referee stoppage due to strikes early in the contest. Brents is your 2010 NAAFS female national amateur champion!

Up next were the featured professional bouts as two time national amateur finalist Kevin Rothacker (6-2)  outlasted 2009 national champion Doug Kulbis (8-2) to win a unanimous decisions. In what will go down as one of the most exciting fights in NAAFS history, Rothacker and Kulbis put on a spectacular display of skill and heart as they slugged it out for three grueling rounds. Kulbis started strong landing several kicks to the head of Rothacker and seemed to be the aggressor early but Rothacker, who made the cut to 145 lbs for the first time, turned the momentum in the second round when a cut over his right eye seemed to ignite the Cleveland native. Rothacker may have sealed the deal with a strong flurry to close the third round that left the capacity in a frenzy.

NAAFS pro series featherweight champion Donny Walker (14-6) won his seventh straight fight and became the first ever professional to successfully defend his belt in the NAAFS against top contender Billy Vaughan (9-6). Walker fought off an early barrage of punches from Vaughan that would have put away most fighters, but the veteran Walker weathered the storm in typical Donny Walker fashion and patiently waited for his opportunity to finish. The opportunity came late in the first round when Walker sunk in a fight ending rear naked choke to retain his title and make NAAFS history in the process.

NAAFS pro series welterweight champion Nick Duell (17-4-1) retained his interim title with yet another impressive display at NOC against arguably his toughest test to date in TUF alum Daniel Head (18-3). Duell showed off his ever improving ground game as he set the tone early in the fight with a take down just moments in to the contest. After controlling the action in round one, Duell fought off an armbar attempt from the challenger in the second round and was able to secure his own armbar to become the first fighter to submit Head while capturing his seventeenth win overall and seventh as a professional.

In the nights main event, highly touted heavyweight prospect Stipe Miocic improved to 9-0 overall after finishing Bellator veteran Greg Maynard (7-3) by TKO due to strikes in the second round. Miocic scored early and often with a series of leg kicks that methodically chopped down Maynard and eventually prompted referee Rick Fike to call the fight early in round two. Maynard became only the second fighter to get take Miocic out of the first round in nine MMA contests.

The NAAFS would like to thank Mr. John P Lennon, Bud Light, Discount Drug Mart, Tim Lally Chevrolet and Intimidation Clothing for making Night of Champions 2010 possible.

Established in 2005, The NAAFS is the fastest growing mixed martial arts organization in the sport and has produced over 80 live events in the region. Fighters that have been featured and produced by the  NAAFS include Chris Lozano, Jason Dent, Forrest Petz, Josh Hendricks, Matt Brown, Ben Rothwell, Jessica Eye, Ryan Madigan, Paul Bradley, Sean Salmon, Jeff Cox, Daniel Straus, and Phil Davis among many others. The television program “NAAFS Cage Fighting” can be seen each week domestically on the television home of the Cleveland Indians Sports Time Ohio, nationally via Direct TV and Dish Network. The NAAFS has been featured internationally via G-TV.

CLICK HERE for NOC quick results

CLICK HERE for NOC Post Fight Audio from Hitz The Spot

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