“MMA Takes over New Port Richey”

By on May 4, 2021
Photo-Jordan Raiff

Vigilant MMA CQ13

Gulf View Event Center NPR, FL

1MAY2021

Vigilant MMA brought their fighters to the Gulf View Event Center on Saturday May 1st 2021 for Combat Quest 13 “Mortal Kombat”. Working with Global Legion Fighting Championship, Vigilant MMA has made a reputable name for themselves in Florida MMA. With a six-fight main card included a kickboxing match, there was something for all combat sports fanatics.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The opening bout of the night featured Andrew Johnson taking on Markevian Williams in a Flyweight title elimination match. Just like the last time we saw him, Williams came out battling fiercely. Scoring a quick knockdown and rampant blows this looked to be over early.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            Johnson battled back in the second round and tried making the fight more evenly matched. Starting to slip the kicks and punches coming his way, Johnson’s fighting prowess began to show through. Despite this change, Williams was able to confront this and maintain his dominance through the round.          

            For the final round Johnson left his corner looking visibly gassed compared to his opponent. Quickly taking him to the ground Williams mounted another vicious offensive and was rolling him up strongly. As the blows rained down Williams was able to take the win due to an official stoppage due to Johnson being unable to defend himself intelligently. Winner: Williams by stoppage in Rd 3

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            Kickboxing was the next bout up. This was one insane contest. With Caleb Bubuis fighting after a grappling match earlier in the day against Chris Johnson who took the fight at two weight ranks up on not even a week’s notice, this was a battle of endurance. As the fight began both fighters found themselves brushing off attempted take downs. These were not intentional though; more their training pushing them forward. Bubuis brought forward a flurry of punches, with Johnson eating them with minimal effect.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The second round had both fighters coming out more decisively. With Bubuis scoring some spinning back kicks, and knees Johnson was sent to the ground. Yet he was able to get back to his feet and force Johnson against the cage. This resulted in some fantastic combinations and got the fans behind this momentum as the round ended.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            For the final round both fighters left their stools exhausted, and rightfully so. Johnson knew how the fight had been going and came out like he hadn’t even battled yet. The exhaustion on his face was wiped away when the bell rang. With his attack and use of a close quarters attack, Johnson looked as if he was going for the TKO or KO win. However, Bubuis was able to keep his feet, and it seemed like the cards might just carry him. The judges saw the defense and ability for Johnson and he won by split decision. Winner: Johnson by Split Decision.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            Going back to MMA for the third fight, Kristian Buendia took on Wendell Lee. The look of determination on the faces of both fighters was intense, and they looked ready to capitalize on their opportunity. Buendia came out fiercely after pacing the cage waiting for the bout to begin and drove Lee into the cage quickly. Yet Lee was able to drive him back with a series of knees and kept him largely at bay and forced Bunedia to the ground, but he was able to recover and keep plowing forward. Lee was able to force a take down and end the round on the ground.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The beginning of the second round showcased Lee sinking in a deep guillotine choke the looked poised to take his opponent out. Yet Buendia was able to keep rolling and maneuver his way out. Even with Lee taking a massive ground and pound attack. As the two traded blows in the middle of the cage, it began to become a battle in techniques as each fighter switched up their stances and attack methods to keep the fight going. When the bell rang, this was a relatively even match so far.

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The third round was not so evenly split. Despite Lee forming some of his better offensive attacks, Buendia was simply able to overtake him on takedowns. As the two battled it out on the ground again, Lee found himself spending a lot of his time against the cage searching for an inside attack. He was ultimately unable to find it before the judges now had a decision to make, and it just wasn’t his night. Winner: Buendia by UD

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The fourth and featured fight of the night found Jahray Hayes taking on Justin Dorsey. Hayes quickly found himself working this fight to the ground after catching a kick from Dorsey mid shot. This was to his advantage as he was able to keep Dorsey against or going towards the cage a large percentage of the round. When forced back to his feet, Hayes was able to score a devastating take down that audibly seemed to drain Dorsey’s air out of his lungs. Yet he was able to retain his composure and finish the round.

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            The second round launched Dorsey out from his corner like a missile as he attacked with a flurry of jabs and power punches. This yet again led to more grappling for control on the cage floor. While they were both back on their feet a few times during the round, the vast majority of the time was spend on the ground looking for submissions and control. A few separate times Hayes looked to have a solid attempt at an arm bar, but couldn’t quite seem to sink it in

Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The third round stayed a grappling clinic as Hayes kept Dorsey on his back for much of the round. While there was significant efforts to gain conrol put out by either fighter, their opponent seemed to either be looking for the same move, or knew how to counter the attack. This left the main deciding factor of the fight to be left to take downs as the officials turned in their scorecards. With Hayes taking the hard fought unanimous decision. Winner: Hayes by UD

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            Coming in for the Co-Main event was Ulysses Molina taking on Brandon Holloway for the vacant Bantamweight title. Neither of these fighters is brand new to MMA and their experience showed through in this bout. Molina paced the cage as his opponent entered and stood confidently in his corner. As the bell rang, both fighters immediately engaged one another. Molina took Holloway to the mat nearly instantly and had a solid guillotine choke set in.

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            As Holloway rolled his way back to their feel, Molina never gave an inch. Forcing him back to the ground, Molina worked his magic with devastating right hands as Holloway looked for a way out. Unfortunately for him the way he took out led to a series of brutal elbows as he suddenly found himself being mounted from behind, and in the dreaded rear-naked choke. As Holloways arm suddenly became lifeless the ref stopped the fight with Molina winning in the first round. Winner: Molina Rd 1 Submission: Rear Naked Choke.

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            The final bout of the night was for the Catchweight Title between Tevin Ellis and David Romano. With Romano as the current Lightweight Champ, this fight had a lot on the line. While Ellis was able to score a quick slam to the ground, Romano quickly found himself on top. This advantage rook both men back to their feet before Romano scored one of the loudest take down slams I have ever heard. As Ellis mounted back an intelligent defense, Romano delivered crushing blows down from above. These stiff shots were working their magic as the round ended.

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

On their stools Ellis looked ready to finish this fight quickly, as if he wanted no further part of Romano. Yet Romano sat patiently like this was just another day at the office. As the doors closed and the ref started the second round, both fighters met in the middle of the ring to trade shots. This fury of blows was a rather quick and one-sided affair as Romano landed a devastating heel kick to the side of Ellis’ jaw. This sent him reeling back for the cage wall and sent the fight back to the ground. As Romano rained him in, it looked like Ellis had found a choke hold. However this was a deceptive angle as Romano had loked in the rarely seen Von Fluke Submission. This quick manuever gave Romano the submission victory in a hard but effective fight. Winner: Romano Von Fluke Submission Rd 2.

Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff
Photo-Jordan Raiff

            Vigilant MMA will be back in Plant City on July 3rd for Combat Quest 14. Owner and Promotor Brandon Lee promises another great event and trust me you don’t want to miss it. This opportunity to see the best and the brightest before they make the major organizations is an opportunity many don’t get a chance to say they had, and true fight fans wish they did.

Photo-Jordan Raiff

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Categories: Boxing, Other Sports, Sports
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