Nick Kilian

7/17/11: On the heels of what may have been the most competitive and entertaining proving grounds yet last month in Akron (PG8), last nights edition of Proving Grounds 9, may have surpassed it. From the first fight through the main event, every fighter came to put on a show and the excited fans in attendance, let them know it. A healthy Nick Killian (7-2) showed why he is one of the early favorites to win this years NAAFS welterweight amateur title with his first round win over Zac Gobel (6-3) in the main event of last nights card at the Arena in Streetsboro.

“Its great to see the Proving Grounds model is working.” said NAAFS CEO Greg Kalikas following the festivities last night. Theres so much great amateur talent out there these days and Nichole (Long) is doing a fantastic job putting these fighters in the right fights and it shows. Im really looking forward to the next one in August.”

Complete results were as follows:

Bout #1: 145 lbs – Derek Schultz 0-2 (Ohio BJJC) vs Zach Forrester 1-1 (PA Brawlers) – Forrester by Unan Dec

Bout #2: 265 lbs – Alex Schultz 2-1 (USA Martial Arts) vs Andi Iftiu 0-2 (Brickhouse MMA)  – Schultz by Armbar rd1

Bout #3: 170 lbs – Matt Holland 3-1 (Demolition Fight Team) vs John Whitten 5-7 (CMA) – Holland by Guillotine rd1

Bout #4: 170 lbs – Emmanuel Kangah 0-1 (Shaolin Kung Fu) vs Will Johnson 1-0 (Brickhouse MMA) – Johnson by Split Dec

Bout #5: 155 lbs – Danny Doverspike 2-0 (Evolve MMA) vs John Rodriguez 1-3 (Fight Fit) – Doverspike by Unan Dec

Bout #6: 135 lbs – Jordan Espinosa 4-0 (Demolition Fight Team) vs Aaron Aravantis 2-1 (USA Martial Arts) – Espionosa by Unan Dec

Bout #7: 135 lbs – Emily Easton 0-2 (Independent) vs Ashley “Smashley” Hawkins 2-1 (Team Bundy) – Hawkins by Unan Dec

Bout #8: 205 lbs – OJ Vickers 5-11 (AMS) vs Ryan Walls 6-3 (Central Block MMA) – Walls by RNC rd1

Bout #9: 145 lbs – Russ Brletrick 6-4 (Independent Crew) vs Mike Velasquez 3-1 (USA Martial Arts) – Brletrick by Unan Dec

Bout #10: 135 lbs – Jordan Baldwin 1-1 (Evolve MMA) vs Jerrell Hodge 2-0 (Brickhouse MMA) – Hodge by RNC rd2

Bout #11: 135 lbs – Bret Gruber 5-3 (Ohio BJJC) vs Nate Mango 12-7 (Independent) – Gruber by Guillotine rd1

Bout #12: 120 lbs – Rachel Sazoff 1-2 (Ricardo Alemeida) vs Rebecca “The Train Wrecka” Gruitza 2-1 (Team Bundy) – Gruitza by Split Dec

Bout #13: 155 lbs – Bob Tipinski 5-5 (Independent Crew) vs Dave Graf 3-3 (Brickhouse MMA) – No Contest (unintentional eye poke)

Bout #14: 170 lbs – Zac Gobel 6-4 (Dragons Den MMA) vs Nick Kilian 7-2 (Relson Gracie Cleveland) – Kilian by RNC rd1