The 2010 National Amateur Series is off and Running
Written by Jake Digman
Photos by Ryan Heckert

(02/01/10 – Akron, OH) – The 2010 National Amateur Series season kicked off in a big way this past Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd and over 31,000 viewers on Ustream.tv, as the NAAFS presented Midwest Combat Challenge 10. The fans were treated to a night of high octane mixed martial arts action inside the NAAFS cage, featuring new stars emerging along with familiar names returning to the fold.

In the main event, “Relentless” Russ Halsey (6-4) made a successful drop to the National Amateur Lightweight division by defeating Team Titan’s Dalton “Doomsday” Moss (5-2) by Unanimous Decision.

With the exception of having a point deducted for an illegal strike to the back of the head, Halsey was in control for the majority of the fight and it registered on the judges’ scorecards.

The former Coventry wrestler, owner of Pain Headquarters, and Akron native may have found a new home in a division for a new year.

Isaiah Chapman (3-0) of Rock Hard MMA made an immediate impact in the National Amateur Bantamweight division with his win over the very game “Super” Mario Micale by TKO at 1:53 of the first round.

Chapman had flown under the radar, but with the win over Micale he has become an early name to keep a close eye on in 2010 and already has people talking.

Instigator Fight Team’s Jeff Hughes improved to 4-1 with his win over Ryan Walls (3-2) by Rear Naked Choke at 2:30 in the second round of their National Amateur Light Heavyweight division fight.

Hughes had taken some time off Midwest Combat Challenge 8 last May, but appears ready to make a run in the 205 division in 2010.

NAAFS veteran Codean Roff (5-6) made a successful return back to Chapparell’s with a win over Kelli Gottardo (4-4) by Unanimous Decision in their National Amateur Featherweight division fight.

Roff had actually competed on the first ever NAAFS event at Chapparell’s and had something special in mind for the tenth edition of Midwest Combat Challenge.

After his fight, Codean proposed to his longtime girlfriend who was more than willing to accept.

In National Amateur Welterweight division action, Michael “Taco” Cardona (7-5) of Campbell Martial Arts picked up his second win in NAAFS competition defeating Rick “Make it Reign” Foster (4-4) by Majority Decision.

Germany’s KJ Hanna (5-4) of Rock Hard MMA was successful against Blaine Bailey (4-4) by Arm Bar at :58 into the second round of their National Amateur Featherweight division fight.

The featured bouts opened with professional wrestler turned MMA fighter Vincent Qurazzo (1-0) of Kick MMA defeating Mikey “The Kid” Calandra (0-2) by Verbal Submission at 1:53 of the first round.

In preliminary action, Travis Tackett (3-0) of Team Titan earned himself a victory and an early contender slot for Knockout of the Year with his win over Devin Williams (2-1) by KO at 2:25 of the first round in their National Amateur Heavyweight division fight.

With his 3-0 record, Tackett is another name that the NAAFS Nation should keep an eye on as 2010 moves along.

The National Amateur Women’s division once again delivered one of the most exciting fights on the card as Shawna Brown of Team Air-Gadfly improved to 2-0 with her victory over Jessica Dinch (0-1) in this 110lbs battle.

The fight was very evenly contested heading into the final round, where Brown was able to walk out with the TKO victory at 1:59.

In other action, Levi Hively of Campbell Martial Arts improved to 2-0 with a win over Bryan Burham (0-1) by TKO at 1:18 of the first round.

Angelo Carpenter (1-0) of Nutter MMA made a successful MMA debut against Andy Boehike (0-1) winning by TKO at 1:17 in the second round of their National Amateur Heavyweight division fight.

Dan Jones (4-4) of Campbell Martial Arts picked up the win over Shawn Goolsby (3-3) by Triangle Choke at 1:14 of the 1st round.

Mad Dog Fight Team’s Francis Healy (2-0) returned to Pittsburgh still undefeated after his win over Akron native Teal Mathis (1-2) by Rear Naked Choke at 2:24 of the second round.

There were three more fights in the National Amateur Lightweight division on the undercard as well. Bill Johnson (1-0) of Rock Hard MMA made a successful debut against Nate Meyerrose (0-1) winning by Arm Bar at 1:26 of the first round.

Cody Fouts of Main Street MMA improved to 2-0 with an Arm Bar victory over Matt Cavazos (0-2) at 2:37 of the second round.

Finally, Andrew Jordan (2-0) of Kick MMA brought home another victory for his team with a win Jeff Kashdan (1-1) by Unanimous Decision.

In addition to the great fights, the 2009 NAAFS Year End Achievement Award Winners were honored as well at Midwest Combat Challenge 10.

Winners included Pro Series Middleweight Champion Chris “The Assassin” Lozano walking away with Comeback Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year, and Pro Fighter of the Year honors.

Pro Series Welterweight Champion & 5 time UFC veteran Forrest “The Meat Cleaver” Petz was on hand to receive the Fight of the Year award for his title victory against Brendan Seguin at Night of Champions.

Marcus Marinelli and Pablo Castro were accompanied by several members of Strong Style Fight Team, as they accepted the award for Team of the Year.

2008 & 2009 National Amateur Light Heavyweight Champion Dane Bonnigson was voted by the fans as Submission of the Year and Amateur Fighter of the Year.

Last, but not least, Jessica Eye was presented with Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year by the members of the NAAFS rankings committee for both her accomplishments inside the cage and her tireless contributions towards the growth of the National Amateur Women’s Division.

The NAAFS would once again like to thank all of the great fans who attended Midwest Combat Challenge 10 live in Akron and to all of those who watched live via the NAAFS Channel on UStream.tv. A special thank you also goes out to Mr. John P Lennon, D-A Specialty Company, Johnny J’s Pub, US Army, Dillard’s Department Stores, Rev 3 Energy Drink, Tim Lally Chevrolet, Bud Light, Thomas Limousine, SportsTalkCleveland.com, BetonFighting.com, and the television home of the NAAFS SportsTime Ohio for their continued support. 

BONUS PHOTOS

NAAFS Midwest Combat Challenge 10 Quick Results
Saturday January 30th * Chapparell’s Community Center * Akron, OH

135 lbs - Levi Hively 2-0 (Campbell Martial Arts) over Bryan Burham 0-1 (Team Air-Gadfly) by TKO @ 1:18 of Rd 1

265 lbs - Angelo Carpenter 1-0 (Nutter MMA) over Andy Boehlke 0-1 (Campbell Martial Arts) by TKO @ 1:17 of Rd 2

155 lbs - Bill Johnson 1-0 (Rock Hard MMA) over Nate Meyerrose 0-1 (Red Dragon) by Arm Bar @ 1:26 of Rd 1

110 lbs - Shawna Brown 2-0 (Team Air-Gadfly) over Jessica Dinch 0-1 (Wellsville, Oh) by TKO @ 1:59 of Rd 3

155 lbs – Cody Fouts 2-0 (Main Street MMA over Matt Cavazos 0-2 (Red Dragon) by Arm Bar @ 2:37 of Rd 2

155lbs – Andrew Jordan 155lbs 2-0 (Kick MMA) over Jeff Kashdan 1-1 (Instigator) by Unanimous Decision

145 lbs – Francis Healy 2-0 (Mad Dog Fight Team) over Teal Mathis 1-2 (Pain Headquarters) by Rear Naked Choke @ 2:24 of Rd 2

265 lbs – Travis Tackett 3-0 (Team Titan) over Devin Williams 2-1 (Campbell Martial Arts) by KO @ 2:25 of Rd 1

135 lbs – Dan Jones 4-4 (Campbell Martial Arts) over Shawn Goolsby 3-3 (Vander Fighting Systems) by Triangle Choke @ 1:14 of Rd 1

Featured Bouts

205 lbs - Vincent Qurazzo 1-0 (Kick MMA) over Michael Calandra 0-2 (Pride MMA) by Verbal Submission @ 1:53 of Rd 1
170 lbs – Michael “Taco” Cardona 7-5 (Campbell Martial Arts) over Ricky Foster 4-4 (Triple Threat MMA) by Majority Decision

145 lbs - Codean Roff 5-6 (Fight Gym MMA) over Kelli Gottardo 4-4 (Wauseon MMA) by Unanimous Decision

145 lbs – KJ Hanna 5-4 (Rock Hard MMA) over Blaine Bailey 4-4 (PM Fight Club) by Arm Bar @ :58 of Rd 2

205 lbs - Jeff Hughes 4-1 (Instigator) over Ryan Walls 3-2 (Central Block MMA) by Rear Naked Choke @ 2:30 of Rd 1

135 lbs - Isaiah Chapman 3-0 (Rock Hard MMA) over Mario Micale 3-3 (Evolve MMA) by TKO @ 1:53 of Rd 1


155 lbs - Russ Halsey 6-4 (Pain Headquarters) over Dalton Moss 5-2 (Team Titan) by Unanimous Decision

About the NAAFS

The NAAFS is the fastest growing mixed martial arts organization in the sport that has featured top level amateur and professional prospects as well as established stars including Jason Dent, Forrest Petz, Josh Hendricks, Matt Brown, Ben Rothwell, Ryan Madigan, Paul Bradley, Noah Inhofer, Jeff Cox, and Phil Davis among many others. The television program “NAAFS Cage Fighting” can be seen domestically Sunday nights on the television home of the Cleveland Indians Sports Time Ohio, nationally via DirecTV and Dish Network, internationally via G-TV and globally via internet broadcasting leader Ustream.tv.