Review & Interviews by Spaniard, Photos by Tracy Smith
Budo Fights stormed into the Midtown Rink Rock & Roll event center in Bend Oregon for its sixth installment of MMA action, dubbed "Pretaliatation". With the first ever female pro main event on a card in Bend, fight fans came out in force to watch live Mixed Martial Arts.
Main event professionals, Glena "Heartless" Avila (Rise Above MMA) and Maria "Real Deal" Andaverde (Bad Lands Boxing) both had undefeated records of 1-0 going into the bout and both had compiled great amateur records as well. When the bell sounded, it was Heartless who wanted none of the Pro boxer Andaverde and got things straight to a clinch in an attempt to get things to the ground. Andaverde had double underhooks and was super strong, diverting Avila's attempts at a takedown until she fell right on top of her into Avila'a guard. But shortly after hitting the ground, it was over as Avila's guard proved to be deadly as she sunk a super quick arm-bar at 1:53 in the very first round. With the win, Avila took home the Pro 120 lb Superfight Title and moves to 2-0 as a pro.
Desert Dog Justin "Freight Train" Fratto made his return to the Midtown and to MMA after a nearly 2 year long layoff due to injury He faced the up and coming juggernaut, Cody "Spaniard" Viescas from Redneck Milita and who currently holds the Budo amateur 155lb title. The bout was for a superfight title as Viescas didn't make weight and both fighters agreed on a catch weight of 160 lbs. The fight was mostly Fratto avoiding the stand up and taking it to the ground, although Viescas did land an armbar that got Fratto in some trouble. Fratto escaped and went back to work, keeping Cody on the defensive until it ended and the judges scored a unanimous decision victory for the Freight Train.
The Budo Fights Welterweight title was up for grabs and ready to fight for it was Redneck Militia's Joel Toledo & Next Level MMA's Eli Peterson. Petersone had to cut 4.5 lbs at initially weighing over, just to make sure he was eliglbe for the title belt after he won. The last second weight cut didn't seem to have any effect on Peterson as it was clear in the fight he was still strong and was able to muscle Toledo back when needed. They ended up in a clinch game, then on the ground where Peterson, known for his strength and GNP, subbed the skilled submission practitioner Toledo by Rear Naked Choke for the victory at 2:54 of the first round to become the very first Budo 170 lb Amateur Champion.
Another former champion who made his comeback after a long layoff was Tomi "Last Minute" Massey from Oregon Kickboxing Academy who took on an independent Rob Gamble in the last of three amateur titles handed out. Massey was a great amateur champion known for his tough battles, so it was great to see him stepping back into it. Once he did and the cage was shut, the crowd in Bend went nuts. The fight was totally one sided as Massey took it to Gamble, even dropping him with a leg kick at one point. Gamble was on the defensive the entire fight, yet showed his toughness as Massey was unable to finish him and the fight went to the judges who awarded Massey a unanimous decision victory and the 155 lb Superfight Belt.
Spaniard's pick for Fight of the night honors went to the amateur female bout between Team Knoxx Kelly Vilarino and Team REACT Crystal Jewell at 105lbs. Vilarino came out hot, swinging away and making her kicks count. She was firing with bad intentions, looking to end the fight with every punch and kick, and the first round was definately all Vilarino. In the 2nd, it was Jewell who came out hot and started taking it to Vilarino, counterpunching and trying to beat on a tired Vilarino. Jewell was landing and swelled the left eye of Vilarino. Then Vilarino woke up and started firing back, getting herself back into the fight. I am telling you, this is what MMA is all about people! Unfortunalty, at the start of the third round, the doctor called the fight over as Jewell had a nasty cut on her eye, thus handing Kelly Vilarino the win via TKO in the night's best fight.
\
