IFC Warrior’s Challenge 23 Results

Cedric Schwyzer (Team Stand Alone, Chico) and Nafi Vanisi (Team Voodoo, Turlock)started out the nights action with the Schwyzer taking down Vanisi and controlling position from top virtually the entire fight.  To his credit, Vanisi proved to be a tough competitor to finish, escaping numerous rear naked choke attempts, a deep triangle, and an armbar. At the end of the three rounds, the judges scored Schwyzer the winner by unanimous decision, no doubt due to his control of the fight and numerous attempts to finish.

Up next, Gary Baldwin (Team Renaud, Sacramento) was K.O.’d by Heath Lamasters (Team Stand Alone, Chico) with a high kick that connected square with Baldwin’s jaw, dropping him instantly. Easily knock out of the night.

The action would continue with Anthony Fernandez (Team Stand Alone, Chico) earning a quick TKO against Michael Pepitone (Team Super Fighter Worldwide, Chico). Fernandez was quickly able to solve the problem of Pepitone’s unusual stand up technique, knocking him down and finishing him with a barrage of punches that forced the ref to call the fight.

Oroville fighter Aaron Hedrick (Team Tyme Maidu) definitly arrived on site ready to prove a point to the home town crowd.  He came out swinging only to find his opponent, Billy Carothers (Team Vierra, Sacramento), firing blows right back at him. When the two clinched, Carothers would attempt to impose his will with knee strikes to the midsection of Hedrick, but Hedrick was able to block the knees the whole fight and work for the take down.  And so the fight would go, the fighters colliding in a barrage of strikes, clinching with each trying to effect some damage, only to have Hedrick prove the stronger by taking Carothers down.  Once on the ground, Hedrick played a patient hand by controlling the fight, maintaining position, and striking only when he could do so without much risk.  After seeing Carothers willingness to capitalize on any mistake by almost completing armbar from guard in the first round, it seemed a good plan for Hedrick to finish the night with a decision win. Apparently, Hedrick changed his mind in round 3 by taking a chance at a guillotine choke instead of securing top position during a take down, ending the fight by tapout.

The most technical fight of the night was the Lightweight Championship Fight between Mike Bravo (Marinoble’s Regulators, Roseville) and 2006 California Community College State Wrestling Champion, Leland Gridley (Lion’s Den, Reno NV).  Both fighters came out looking to strike, but Bravo proved to be more effective at the stand up game by quickly establishing range with his jab and low kicks, while slipping Gridley’s leads with excellent head movement.  Gridley, frustrated by the elusive boxing style presented by Bravo, attempted a shot that, although looked great, was way too far out of range to be effective. The first round seemed to be all Bravo slipping punches and firing straights at every chance, until Gridley finally was able to close distance and dig for the take down against Bravo’s considerable take down defense.  The round would end with Gridley in Bravo’s guard, but unfortunately, it was too late in the round to work for effective ground and pound strikes.  Round 2 would start much like round 1, only Gridley seemed to be finding his grove and was able to connect with a few straights. That is until a right strait from Bravo connected, sending a dazed Gridley back against the cage.  Bravo immediately followed up, landing a right head kick that sent Gridley to the mat.  After Bravo continued assailing the downed Gridley, the ref felt compelled to stop the fight. Some in the crowd felt Gridley was attempting to protect himself, but I have little doubt a few extra seconds would have change the outcome of the fight; Bravo by TKO in the 2nd to win the IFC Warrior’s Challenge Lightweight Title.

Anthony Fernandez would fight a second time this night, volunteering to fill in for Shane Wiltse who was a no show.  He would face David Marshall (Team Vierra, Sacramento) despite being 10 pounds lighter (170lb vs 180lb) .  Hedrick again came out strong, securing an early take down without taking damage and looking to establish a ground and pound from top, but Marshall displayed a crafty bottom game by securing a deep triangle choke from guard.  Hedrick would struggle for a while, attempting to roll, muscle, even slam his way out to the hold, but Marshall would let up, cinching the hold tighter each time Hedrick attempted an escape.  Hedrick would eventually tap in the first round, giving Marshall the win.

Capping the night was The Women’s IFC Warrior’s Challenge Light Heavyweight Championship match between Shawni Young (Team VMAT as in Vladimir Matyushenko, Los Angeles) and Sarah Renaud (Team Renaud, Folsom). Renaud attempted to end the fight early with a guillotine choke so deep, she was able to lift Young off the ground with.  Young would have none of it, however, and struggled for air until finding an opportunity for escape.  Young would then dominate the fight by punching her way in for takedowns, then smothering Renaud from half guard and full mount while peppering her with strikes.  By the end of the third round, Renaud’s corner had seen enough and called a stop to the fight.  A stunned Renaud pleaded with her corner, but it was already done.

As you can see, it was a night of good fights. When the IFC comes back to Oroville, I highley recomend a trip to the Gold Country Casino to see the action for yourself.