Sat night was a huge one nationally on the MMA scene with Strikeforce & the UFC dueling it out for #1 in the ratings. Yet locally in Kelso WA, it was Arsenal Combat Sports & Split Decision Entertainment bringing "Winter Whoopins" to the Hardtails Bar & Grill and packing the house with MMA fans hungry for fights. And fights are what they got, 14 of them, with the action fast and furious from start to finish.

In the main event, both the Fight Night Heavyweight Champ Olin Howlett and the Challenger Rico Martinez gave it everything they had from bell to bell. Olin, out of Arsenal Combat Sports, tried being versatile in his head movement and striking. While Martinez, repping 503 West Coast Jiu Jitsu, chose to grind it out in the pocket and look for the takedown. Martinez got it and kept getting it, controlling Howlett. But Olin refused to be finished and made Rico work hard for the win. In the end, the judges scored it a unanimous decision for the new Champion Rico Martinez.

New Heavyweight Champ Rico Martinez

An unfortunate series of events sparked some fire and controversy in the 135 lb Championship fight as Arsenal Combat Sport's Jon Kelly ate a pair of knees from independent fighter Jason Eaton. Eaton landed the first at the liver and dropped Kelly, and the next knee hit Kelly in the head which is illegal in this class of amateur competition. But referee Christopher Cope ruled it came after the KO and to the side, so Eaton was awarded the win and the belt. Former 135 lb champ Donnie Johnson immediately challenged Eaton for the title in defense of his fallen comrade. Johnson had fought earlier that night and was submitted by Redneck Militia's Tony McCorkindale at a much bigger weight class than he is used to: 155lbs. McCorkindale was my choice for "Submission of the Night" honors with his 1st Rd Armbar win.

New 135 lb Champ Rico Martinez

The 145lb Championship bout was a very exciting contest with the Champion from 503 WCJJ Joaquin Rodriguez and challenger from Arsenal Combat Sports Jake Burns both having an explosive first couple of rounds, pushing this fight into the third round. Burns had some strong striking and didn't give this up easy as Joaquin was all over him, but Rodriguez finally got his way and submitted Burns to retain his title.

 145 lb Champ Joaquin Rodriguez retains his belt

"Spiderman" John Heilman, always the performer, earned his third title belt as he came out and defeated Independent fighter William Lin via TKO with the ref stopping the fight due to strikes at 1:23 of Rd 1. Not much too say here really. You could defiantly see Lin's heart but there is a need for more training as Heilman was just another level of MMA fighter.

125 lb Champion John Heilman

Spaniard is always ready to pick a good fight, so once again I'm glad when Split Decision let me pick trophy honors for the night. "Fight of the Night" came by way of female brutal beatings and while it only took just over 2 minutes of Rd 1 to earn the honors, both ladies were punching the entire time. Arsenal Combat's Rachael Morton came in the cage with a black eye so you knew she was ready. And opponent Holly Reynolds came out firing savage one, two's down the pipe. Morton took over, catching Reynolds in a bad spot and landing numerous punches which forced referee Cope to stop it, though most in the crowd wished he didn't.

"KO of the Night" came via the foot of Dale Bryant from Curt's Ultimate. No stranger to this trophy, Bryant won the award in his very first fight by brutal head kick and he does it once again his second time out beating Arsenal Combat's Justin Rose, who ate some tough shots with the last one putting him to sleep. Anyone taking fight # 3 with Bryant might want to do their homework on blocking head kicks and knees!

Always a great time in Washington and glad to see so many MMA fans & friends. Split Decision is doing it again in Vancouver Dec 11 at Club Zoo with Fight Night XIII... see you there! Learn more about Split Decision on their Facebook Page HERE.

Special Thanks to Mark Hector for his photos of the show. Check out more of his killer photos from the night at www.athleteschoicephotos.photostockplus.com.