Battle @ the Bay X - Feb 7th, 2015 Swinomish Casino - Anacortes, Washington
Photos and interview by Mike Renouard
Jorge Moreno subs Mike Devose via 2nd Rd D'arce Choke in the main event
Combat Games MMA returned to the Swinomish Casino & Lodge on February 7th - the first of four scheduled 2015 MMA shows inside the casino's Wa Walton Events Center. Battle at the Bay 10 witnessed plenty of action in the 11 fights that went down, including 4 pro bouts. In the main event, Irish Hit Squad's Jorge Moreno and Team Evolution MMA's Mike Devose went to battle in a pro middleweight matchup. In the first round, both fighters found success on the feet, with DeVose landing with some big knees while Moreno scored with big punches against the cage. In the 2nd, the fight went to the canvas where DeVose looked to finish via an armlock submission. Moreno though escaped the attempt and then locked on a beautiful d’arce choke that elicited a verbal tap from DeVose at 1:45 of the 2nd round. Moreno remains undefeated as a pro, moving to 3-0.
The co-main event was a pro 140 lb catchweight bout between Ivan Salaverry’s Emanuel Russell and Hawaiian fighter Jordan Mackin repping Northshore MMA Academy and Kekino Kickboxing Maui. A lot of offensive action and scrambling from both fighters who engaged in a crowd-pleasing 15 minute affair. The judges decided their fate with two seeing it for Russell 29-28, and the third for Mackin 29-28, giving Russell the win and moving him to 4-1 as a pro.
In a pro lightweight contest, Livewire MMA’s Jesse Nutting took a lot of punishment but dished out some of his own enroute to winning his pro debut via 2nd round rear naked choke of ACA’s Gary Winslow.
Black Mamba MMA’s Susy Watson picked up her first professional win via a super-solid 3-round performance for a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27) over debuting Emily Fichtner of Team Evolution.
Amateur Welterweight Fay Bursell of Ivan Salaverry MMA remains undefeated as an amateur at 3-0-1 via a unanimous decision over AKA’s Richard Groch, 29-28 x3.
The night’s sole kickboxing contest saw Chelcie Dalmeny outstrike Rachael Helseth over three rounds to win the unanimous judges decision, 30-26 across the board.
AKA’s Mike Miller picked up his first amateur victory by way of 2nd Round TKO of Livewire MMA’s Zach Nevit in a 145 lb fight.
In a 165 lb catchweight matchup, Catalyst MMA’s DJ Griffin moved to 2-0 as an amateur via a hard-fought unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) over Irish Hit Squad’s Jimi Molina.
Beau Maples, fighting out of Ivan Salaverry MMA, moved to 3-0 as a amateur with a 3rd round TKO of ACA’s Aaron Heck in a 195 lb catchweight bout.
Two debuting amateurs engaged in a spirited battle in the 145 division, with Black Mamba MMA’s Gagan Braich coming out on top over Northshore MMA’s Curtis Haggard by split decision 30-27, 29-28, 28-29.
In the opening fight of the night, ACA’s Keith Arns right thigh bore the mark of numerous MIchael Hidalgo kicks that found their mark. Arns used his fists to punch his way to a majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28) over the Eastsound MMA debut fighter, moving to 2-0 as an amateur heavyweight.
Combat Games MMA will be back in action April 17th 2015 when they hold Rumble on the Ridge XXXI at the Snoqualmie Casino, followed by Battle @ the Bay XI on May 9th at the Swinomish Casino. Learn more at combatgamesmma.com.
BATTLE @ THE BAY X RESULTS
Bout 1 - Amateur Heavyweights
Keith Arns (1-0 - American Combat Academy) def Michael Hildalgo (Debut - Eastsound MMA) by Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
