Written by Ryan Kaufman Photos by Mike Ruman

The Steel City Rumble went down at the Colorado State Fair Events Center on Saturday night. The event was billed as being “for Pueblo, by Pueblo”. It featured 12 of Pueblo’s best fighters against 12 fighters from elsewhere.

Nate Fernandez (Team Pueblo) vs. Luke Baker (135 lbs.)

The night got off to a crazy start in the first fight of the night. In the 2^nd round of the fight, Nate Fernandez knocked Luke Baker down and hit him in the head with a kick while Baker was down. Fernandez chalked it up to a momentary lapse of judgement.

“I knew it was illegal, I tried to hold back but I just couldn’t,” Fernandez said. “It was a bad mistake, I will learn from it.”

To ensure that Fernandez would learn from it, the referee deducted two points which was a decision that confused the guilty party.

“I don’t know why they took two, I thought they would take one for sure, but I don’t understand the two,” a shocked Fernandez said. “I know I won the first round, the second could have gone either way, and I knew I won the third round, it should’ve been a tie at the end.”

It was not a tie at the end. It was a unanimous decision for Luke Baker. The decision disappointed the fans in attendance and it did the same to Fernandez.

“Obviously if I wouldn’t have kicked him, I would have won the fight no questions asked.”

Zach Valdez (Team Pueblo) vs. Steve Ferrell (170lbs.)

Determined to get one in the win column for Team Pueblo, Zach Valdez came out like a man possessed. He took Steve Ferrell down and from there just rained punches. Almost every strike hit it’s mark. The referee had no choice but to stop the fight. Valdez wanted to keep the fight on the feet and Ferrell should have listened.

“The ground game is what I feel comfortable with, I’ve been wrestling all my life,” Valdez said. “I was trying to stay on my feet and box it out and get that training, it’s all training for another fight, he kept trying to wrap me up so I took him down and pretty much controlled the fight from there.”

The victorious Valdez even gave a little bit of credit to the patrons of mmabuzz.com

“There was a lot of talk on there about how I was going to get beat down and that’s just more fuel for the fire.”

Mike Gallardo (Team Pueblo) vs. James Mead (165 lbs.)

With main-event fighter Manuel Gallardo in his corner, Mike Gallardo tried to put on a performance worthy of a main-event. Unfortunately, it was his opponent who put on a show. James Mead came out like a house on fire and controlled the entire fight. He landed punch after punch and kick after kick. He even mixed in some holds. After the fight, Mead said it was an audition of sorts.

“This is my last amateur fight and I wanted to show a little bit more than I had in my last fight.”

He certainly did that. After landing a big kick, he worked over Gallardo, saw the neck open up and sank in a rear naked choke for the win. Mead was not surprised that he got his opponent to open up.

“It’s happened before to a Pueblo fighter I fought, he left his neck out, I got him in a side choke and choked him out,” Mead said. “You work him enough he’s gonna lift his head up and he lifted it up and I sunk it in.”

Bruce Ries (Team Pueblo) vs. Rolando Lurenty (Team Pueblo)

Bruce Ries and Rolando Lurenty had to fight each other because their opponents’ backed out. So it was time for some Pueblo-on-Pueblo violence and Ries was the aggressor.

To the naked eye, you could not really tell who was winning the fight. The two fighters were rolling around on the ground, jockeying for position. The fight was determined in the last few moments of each round. Either Lurenty let up or Ries found an opening. Either way, Ries landed a lot of solid punches before the bell. It was apparent that those shots gave Ries the edge later in the fight.

“I kept on pushing the fight, I wanted it real bad,” Ries said. “You could tell by third round he was done, I just kept pushing.”

Ries wound up with a unanimous decision in the night’s only Pueblo vs. Pueblo matchup.

Haven Torres (Team Pueblo) vs. Jack Kalanquin (130 lbs.)

What would a fight night be without some controversy? Already, there was some of that in the first fight of the night. Now this 130 pound fight had a little of it’s own.

After landing some solid punches early in the 1^st round, Jack Kalanquin had Haven Torres in a choke against the cage near the end of the round. Kalanquin let go of the choke just before the bell. Torres held his hands up in a way that was open to interpretation. Some may say he was holding up his hands to say, “no more”. Others will say he put his hands up to defend any ensuing punches from his opponent.

The referee interpreted it as the former. He stopped the fight, before the bell rang. A flood of boos rained down on the cage from the Pueblo faithful who did not agree with the call. One fan was a little bit louder than everyone else. The DJ at the Events Center expressed his displeasure over his microphone. After the mic was seized, Kalanquin gave his view of the stoppage.

“He didn’t want no more,” Kalanquin said to the delight of his crew around him. “He never got rocked that hard in his life.”

Lex Maldonado (Team Pueblo) vs. Tyrone Wright (185 lbs.)

Early on, it looked like Tyrone Wright was just too strong for his opponent. It was actually Lex Maldonado that was too strong. At the beginning of the 3^rd round, Wright could not answer the bell, he was injured and Maldonado’s fists had something to do with it.

“I guess I must have cracked one.” Maldonado said. He must have, but fighters would like to finish the fight with a knockout or submission. Maldonado would like to have finished the fight that way, but he will take this victory.

“I’m happy, it was a tough fight I give it to him too,” Maldonado said. “Whoever gave up first, that’s what it was about.”

Mark Gettler (Team Pueblo) vs. Mike Riggs (170 lbs.)

This one was over before it started. Those who blinked, missed Mark Gettler get Mike Riggs in a guillotine and get the submission. After the fight, Gettler was not as surprised about how quickly he got his opponent in the choke, but how long it took for Riggs to tap.

“He’s a strong, strong guy,” Gettler said. “He fought it for a while, a lot longer than most people do when I get them in a guillotine, so much props to Riggs.”

Eric Rodriguez (Team Pueblo) vs. Orian Henderson (235 lbs.)

Orian Henderson looked mad coming down the ramp with Rammstein blaring over the soundsystem at the Events Center. In the cage, it was Eric Rodriguez who seemed mad. Rodriguez got Henderson in a guillotine in the 1^st round, but could not get it tight enough.

In the 2^nd round, it was a different story. Henderson got stuck in another guillotine, this time while standing up. It was a very unorthodox victory for Eric Rodriguez, but he had a better grip on his opponent.

“The first round he hit me and gave me a cut so when I hooked in the guillotine and it was a little slick,” Rodriguez said with blood dripping from a cut near his eye. “The second round I was a little more dry my corner wiped me down and I was able to sink that one in.”

Kreg Hartle (Team Pueblo) vs. Vince O’Donnell (175lbs.)

Unfortunately in mixed martial arts, people get hurt. It’s part of the business. In this fight, one fighter would leave the ring on his feet. The other would leave on a stretcher.

With Vince O’Donnell on his back, Kreg Hartle tried to get up off the ground in the 1^st round. While doing that, he left himself wide open and O’Donnell took advantage. He landed punch after punch directly to the face of Hartle. The referee stepped in after it was apparent that Hartle was out. In O’Donnell’s eyes, the fight could have been stopped much earlier than that.

“One of those inside punches I landed rocked him back, nobody saw it, but I saw it, he looked right in my eyes and it was glass, I was looking right through him,” O’Donnell said. “ knew I had him hurt, so when he started rolling up he was completely defenseless, so I landed one or two more punches before the ref jumped in, but four punches before that you could’ve stopped the fight.”

Hartle would not get up from the punishment, the EMTs came and removed him on a stretcher. Thankfully, Hartle gave a thumbs up to the crowd and is ok. We all hope he will be back in the ring soon.

Co-Main Event: Drew Knapp (Team Pueblo) vs. Joe Lake (250lbs.)

This was Drew Knapp’s first fight in months, but he showed no rust. “The Gorilla” lived up to his name, knocking around Joe Lake. Through the first two rounds, Lake could not get a shot in between the onslaught of his opponent.

In the third round, Knapp knew that as long as he did not get caught, he would win. Even while knowing that, Knapp shot in and took Lake down. From there, “The Gorilla” sank in a choke that would make King Kong proud. His opponent had no choice but to tap.

Main Event: Manuel Gallardo (Team Pueblo) vs. Brett Roller (143 lbs.)

There was a buzz (no pun intended) in the State Fair Events Center for this one. Everyone knew who was going to win this matchup. After the fight was over, everyone felt stupid. Brett Roller dominated the entire way, although the “entire way’ was not long. Roller immediately got Manuel Gallardo down to the ground and into a rear naked choke. He could not sink it in, but he just bid his time and landed some punches until Gallardo opened up.

Roller sank in the rear naked choke again and this time it was in tight. Roller stunned the crowd that was expecting a tightly contested fight. Roller was kind of stunned himself.

For Gallardo, this loss stings a little bit more than his others. The last time the “Independent Warrior” fought in his home town, he won because of disqualification and this outcome is not any better.

“Being independent is not that easy,” Gallardo said with his head down. “I got a job, a family, school, I coach, it has it’s toll, I can’t do enough of preparing for the stuff, I’m working on getting serious about it.”

If Gallardo is working on getting serious about fighting, upcoming opponents better watch out. The “Independent Warrior” is going to be scary good.

*****

It was a so-so night for Team Pueblo. If you count the fight between two Pueblo fighters, the “home team” went 6-6. For the fans, it was a great night; lots of great action in a fantastic venue. I am not alone when I say we need more events like this in P-Town soon.

Make sure you check out the official results, pictures, and fighter video interviews on the site as well.

Post Fight Inteviews

Pre Fight Interviews

PRO FIGHT
Brett Roller def. Manuel Gallardo - Rd 1 (1:33) - Read Naked Choke

AMATEUR FIGHTS
Drew Knapp def. Joe Lake - Rd 3 (2:04) - Submission
Vince O'Donnell def. Kreg Hartle - Rd 1 (:43) - TKO (Due to Strikes)
Eric Rodriguez def. Orian Hendrickson - Rd 2 (:42) - Standing Guillotine
Mark Gettler def. Mike Riggs - Rd 1 (:31) – Guillotine
Alexi Maldonaldo def. Tyrone Wright – Rd 2 (3:00) – Corner couldn’t answer the bell (Injury)
Jack Kalequin def. Haven Torres – Rd 1 (2:55) – TKO (Due to Strikes)
Bruce Reis def. Rainbow Goodhunt – Rd 3 (3:00) – Unanimous Decision
James Mead def. Mike Gallardo – Rd 2 (1:24) – Rear Naked Choke
Zac Valdez def. Steve Farrell – Rd 1 (1:13) – TKO (Due to Strikes)
Luke Baker def. Nate Fernandez – Rd 3 (3:00) – Unanimous Decision

Show Notes
- Big props to Nu World Media (Gabe and Armondo) they had a GREAT setup at that venue. The catwalk was awesome, had a 'big show' feel to it. Great work fellas.
- Glad to hear Kreg is well. That was a really scary moment. See you back in the ring soon buddy.
- Thanks to Rojas Restaurant in Pueblo for delivering some awesome food to the fighters...and me! (Sidenote: The promoters had a catered meal put together for all the fighters)
- Once again the Pueblo crowd was great. Always into the fights and rowdy...but not ridiculous.
- Buzz Corona, Rob Archuleta, and Eric Lalone all did fine jobs passing the mic back in forth in the ring.
- Note: Never let a DJ get on a mic…especially after a controversial stoppage.
- The Vanilla Gorrilla is back. Fun watching that guy ‘pounce’ around the ring.
- Tough call for Nate Fernandez. That fight with Luke Baker was back and forth, but during the 3rd round Nate kicked Luke while he was on the ground and got a 2 point deduction that ended up costing him the fight. Big props to Luke for overcoming that kick and finishing the fight.
- Nu World gave every fighter who won a medal. A little gesture but you could tell the fighters really relished those medals. Once again props.
- My vote for sexiest commentators: Chris Zacher and Josh Huber.
 

Comments (72)

KPEAZY said:

Sounded like a good card. Congrats to Roller, Gallardo is a nice notch to have on his belt. Mike, thanks for the quick results for us that can't make it to these shows!

April 13, 2008

neon_death said:

This was a good card. There was some great action! I don't remember which fight ending on strikes had one of the fighters being sent for medical examination. But someone from one of the sponsors kept bad mouthing the fighter because he wouldn't get up from a pretty hard knock out. I really enjoyed the event, but if the sponsors are like this....do I want to go back to these shows then?

April 13, 2008

neon_death said:

It was the O'Donnell/Hartle fight. I hope the guy is alright.

April 13, 2008

Dinstitute said:

I think we are all trying to educate everyone on what MMA really is. If a sponsor was bad mouthing someone you can't really stop that. You see that in every sporting event. Alcohol and people that make idiodic statements go hand in hand at every event. So I wouldn't stop going to the promotion or you'll never see a live sporting event again.

April 13, 2008

staulky pimp said:

great card venue did a really good jobe with the whole set up best wishes to kreg hartle man i hope that dude is alright sucks to see someone get hurt,congrats to bret and vince and i dont think anyone thinks these guys are a joke.

April 13, 2008

tattooedMailman said:

Update on Kreg Hartle, he was released from the hospital late last night and is doing perfectly fine.(was drinkin a beer when I called him LOL) A group of guys were yelling some pretty nasty stuff while Hartle was down and it is just stupid. I hate arm chair fighters. Big props to all the fighters and the promotion. I thought it was a great 1st show and hope to see many more....To all our fighters from PWIA/Major Fitness..you did great all of you!!

April 13, 2008

AnythingandEverything said:

Hey I just want to say Armando is a great promoter he was calm and had fun the whole time, I've worked with a lot of promoters and what a classy guy, he also knew what could be improved and kept a good attitude. This is rare for a promoter, good job bro. Also MMA Buzz did a great job getting pics and results up. Does Mike Sleep? Also all fighters did great!!

April 13, 2008

haumana2000 said:

jus wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for coming out and supporting the show. Armando relly tasked me with trying to launch the show from a fighters perspective, and for the most part I think that was accomplished (fighters if there is something you'd like to see done different, please let me know). As a Pueblo event, we were happy with the great turnout, a wonderful night of fights all the way around, and i am proud to say that we didnt have a single fight in the crowd wow! It was great to see the competitors happy with getting a small token for their achievements, sweat and training. We hgave a nice donation to a local charity in the process, hey who could ask for more! once again, thank you for your support, and to chris zacher. eric lalone, josh huber, and last but not least BIG MIKE! Salamat, aloha nui, THANK YOU!. -Gabriel Kuya.

April 13, 2008

Scrooge McDOOM said:

I just wanted to thank everyone. Gabe you allways have my back and i love you for it. You and MONDO did a OVER THE TOP JOB on this fight. Ill fight for you anytime. Eric, Thanks for your constant support. Feels good to know someone has your back. Mike, There isnt enough I can say to express my appreciation. Anything you need just ask... Joe Lake, You are a great guy with a huge heart and im glad that were able to give a good show. give me a call so we can talk about your outreach stuff. 719-238-3501 Thanks to my sponsor R U TATTOOED. They are like family and I just hope that Im holding up my end of the deal... thanks to all my team mates from Joint Forces and Pacific Warriors. Thanks to my cornerman DIABLO David Rodriguez. WERE BACK BROTHER Thanks to all my family that gives me complete support no matter what. I know im a pain in the ass and you all put up with me and keep pushing me to be better. i think thats it.....

April 13, 2008

Amanda Hartle said:

I am Kreg Hartle's wife. I would like everyone to know that he is fine. He didn't get up because he was still unconscious. He would like to be back in the ring today!!!! He'll be back stronger than ever, I guarantee it!!! And for anyone that was running there mouth off you can't say anything til you get in the ring yourself. That has happened to the best of them....

April 13, 2008

staulky pimp unloged said:

I was one of the guys that was cheering for vince didnt say anything disrespectful cause anbody that knows me knows i dont do that s**t but for some reason people got offended by it which i dont understand why. but i ment no disrespect by it i was just cheering for one of my homies.

April 13, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

I take back any KOS jokes I may of said in the past, you know, the gang banging jokes, the short people jokes, and the irish jokes, you know, those funny knee slapper ones.

April 13, 2008

XxGrizzlyBearxX said:

great show man saw alot of good people there, set up seemed great, didn't seem to be too much confusion which is awesome. good venue.. everythin.. loved it great job everyone. fights were fun to watch good job to all.. makes me more and more anxtious to get fixed up to train again..

April 13, 2008

UFC said:

CONGRATS TO ERIC RODRIGUEZ. GREAT JOB!

April 13, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

ha, that's a first. I sure hope who ever posted that is not trying to pass off as the UFC. oh hold on my phone is ringing..might be Dana wanting a beer or something.

April 13, 2008

dennis said:

way to go son awesome fight,love dad,keep up the good work

April 13, 2008

dennis said:

thanks mike, good job as allways

April 13, 2008

VOD said:

hey thanks to everyone out there in pueblo!! loved the venue and the fans. ill fight your card anytime!! K.O.S.

April 14, 2008

money mike said:

I just want to say thanks to all the fighters for doing what you guys like to do. You guys did awsome And a big thanks to gabe and mondo. NuWorld is gonna be a big thing So be ready southern Colorado. I hope everyone liked the show.

April 14, 2008

mrmusclemaker said:

Awesome show! Def did not oooze of first timers syndrome. Good match making, great venue, Sound set up and all was done pretty well. Ring announcing all good! Congrats to Drew on his comeback win over a tough guy. props to james and Tyrone. Bummer about the ribs for Ty. But he will be around. VOD love the music and you def made a statement ... We already knew you could hit and had good hands but you def showed up! Brett! I always say be careful about counting Brett out. I know for a fact you shut some people up. Outstanding improvements on your stand up bro! And to those who know Haven. Fight was a strange one he is fast and slick. Congrats to all the warriors who got in the cage! And to the promoters! Good stuff ... Money well spent

April 14, 2008

Tyrone Wright said:

Mr.Ryan Kaufman You look at the video and tell me what punch landed and landed and what fist had to do with what?? And then call your own self a liar!!

April 14, 2008

VOD said:

hey everyone. with brett being the last fight and all the excitment im pretty sure i left my gym bag there its black and red and has my wallet in it.. sorry no money but if anyone found it please contact me at 719-651-5329.. thanks... Vince O'Donnell p.s. its a nike bag

April 14, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

hey Tyrone, I commentated your fight, and even though I can't say those punches hurt you ribs, you opponent did throw punches and som edid landed. I will again say I do not know if they hurt, or caused damage. a fight can ber percieved many different ways by many different people, so I would calm down a little bit, and realize it is not personal.

April 14, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

This is why I usually shy away from write ups. I didn't see Lexi hit the ribs at all, but I was also watching the fight from behind my camera lens. My guess is Lexi's "I must have cracked one" swayed the write up a little.

April 14, 2008

Scrooge McDOOM said:

Yo MIKEY can you please give me a call. want to get with you on how to get copies of the photos for my fight thanks.......

April 14, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

Check your inbox brotha (Gabe's slang is rubbing off on me)

April 14, 2008

SCARFACE said:

great job james, i might have to get back in there with & train a little. you might beat me now, na i'm too fat for ya!! give me a call luie has my ##

April 14, 2008

Kreg said:

First off all good job Vince!!! look my problems is the reff he messed up!the fight against torres vs. kalaquin he stopped that fight early!torres was defending himself from a poss. punch coming down on him. Thats is why he let mine go on so long. I'm not crying about it at all!!its amateur it mean nothing!!its all experience till u go pro!I've heard some CRAP about fining vince. Which is dumb!The reff IS the reason i ended up in the hosp. You can't wave your hands in the air and expect the fighters to see you!!!!!!! Its killer instinct!I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING IN HIS POSITION!! Again good job vince! maybe I'll see you in the ring again some day! As far as the fans and/or sponsors talking crap, It doesn't bother me or my family.. It happens at any fight. I'm cool with Vince and thats all that matters. He's a warrior who met me in the ring and I respect him for that.

April 14, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

I am surprised people would say he should get fined.

April 15, 2008

KngsOfSpgs said:

Yeah, anyone who is saying that Vince should be fined is either; A) retarded, or B) has never been in or seen an mma fight themselves. When in the middle of a GnP, I have never seen a fighter stop untill tackled in someway by the ref. All in all, Kreg is okay and all of us here with K.O.S. thank GOD that he is! Thanks Kreg and glad to know your ok!

April 15, 2008

steelcityrumble.com said:

What can I say... So many thanks to go around for what turned out to be an amazing show. Thanks to all our sponsors, Thank you to the fight teams, Pacific Island Warriors, Joint Forces, Rude EFFX, Prophecy, Kongo Do, all teams. Glad to see Donny on the scene! Glad to see our good friend The Vanilla Gorilla back in action... Hartle and Manuel will be back better than ever so look out for them on upcoming cards throughout the state. Congrats to Zack and Bruce on winning your first fights convincingly. It was great to see dedication and hard work pay off. The same for Nate… You worked hard and You’re coming back my friend. Haven… bad call… Hartle said it perfectly above. Thanks to Chuck for your help. It was great working with the K.O.S… Brett, VOD and Jack! Many thanks to the families and friends of the fighters that always support the warriors. Special thanks to Mike and Gabe… Couldn’t have a better team on my side. Big Thanks to Rob Archuleta, Brian Buck, Buzz, Eric Lalone, Chris Zacher and Josh Huber for announcing and covering the show... Last but not least... Many thanks to the big guy... Mike Ruman... MMA Buzz Mike! It's a pleasure working with all of you professionals, Fight Teams, fighters, Managers and media alike. If I missed you… Please forgive as that was not our intention. Steel City Rumble II coming soon!

April 15, 2008

John McCain said:

Vincent O'Donnell should be fined, shackled, and shipped to Guantanamo Bay for crimes against humanity. What he did was a travesty, and physical attacks like that should be banned from the sport. This just proves that contemporary MMA is nothing more than human cockfighting! Vote for Me!

April 15, 2008

KngsOfSpgs said:

WOW.... you know, I never thought of it that way Mr. McCain. Your right, Vince is going to have the book thrown at him for this one!

April 15, 2008

KPEAZY said:

F**K John McCain....LOL....Barack Obama in '08. BRO's BEFORE HOE's!

April 15, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

I published the McCain comment cause it seems more sarcastic than anything. I really can't believe we are actually discussing a fine to Vince for the end of that fight. Like Jack pointed out GnP's are usually only stopped by the ref stepping in there and pushing the guy off (best displayed by Big John McCarthy). To put any blame on Vince is ludacris....just like any vote for Hilary...ludacris.

April 15, 2008

steelcityrumble.com said:

Alexi, Mark and James... Freakin great fights. Great to work with you all. AC

April 15, 2008

KngsOfSpgs said:

Aww man, that was you Zacher? I really thought that was John McCain. Your an A-hole!

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

??? i never said that was me, it wasn't. That's mike with an avatar of me because he lost a bet.

April 15, 2008

KPEAZY said:

^^^I keep thinking Mikes posts are Zacher too. Man, Mike's new avatar is gayer then the ones Zacher gave to me when I lost bets to him.

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

Mike's avatar is teh essense of man

April 15, 2008

KngsOfSpgs said:

Well damn, all is see is Zachers ugly face and I immediatly put the blame on him!!! My bad! haha. Seriously though, why is face like that?

April 15, 2008

KngsOfSpgs said:

.... the essence of a gay man!

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

because zacher is a sexy mother funker.. BTW back story on that pic, it was taken in afghanistan during a sand storm, and i was pissed of, soe my friend thought he would take a pic of my screaming, but when I saw the camerra I had to sexy times it up, and make a treasure for the ladies.

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

KOS it's betet rthen being SHORT and gay.

April 15, 2008

KngsOfSpgs said:

So, you're admitting that you are gay then???

April 15, 2008

Ryan Kauf said:

Hey Tyrone, I did not mean any disrespect in my writeup. It was unfortunate that your fight ended the way it did. I have no allegiances, I just talk to the fighters. Lex told me he must have cracked one of your ribs. I just write the quotes. I could not find you after the fight that is why I wrote Lex's side of it.

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

KOS, no I'm not, but Kpeazy is, you should talk to him, you both have the gayness in common. I mean you both wear tight shirts and all.

April 15, 2008

KPEAZY said:

I definitely don't wear tight shirts, thats you Mr. Affliction and rash guard...lol

April 15, 2008

Tyrone Wright said:

Mr.Ryan Kauf, I can understand quoting a fighters statements and comments of his fight! Very Common! However, What I don't understand is the professionalism of narrating an event and rendering in error the content of the fight! I do accept your responce. However, It may be just a narrative to you but mean so much more to us fighters because we help promote this site with visitors. For me, "executives cause I'm a banker and have bank executives at the fight and viewing this site" It also looks bad on your part because the videos are out and no one is seeing one punch even attempted by lex much less landed! But you quoted he landed punch after punch!!!!!

April 15, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

I edited the write up. I'm gonna take the blame for this one. I talked with Tyrone after the fight and he mentioned that it was a injury he had going into the fight that he reaggravated, not due to any punches. I should have put that in the write up. I apologize. This was Ryan's first write up for MMABuzz...be easy on him. I guarantee he is going to help the local MMA scene grow. I think the write up kicked ass, cool to see all those post fight comments from fighters.

April 15, 2008

MMA Buzz Appreciation Week At Lashley's said:

MMABuzz appreciation week At Lashley's Smoothies and Supplement. Come on in to Bobby Lashley's ( Former WWE Champ/superstar and rising MMA Star) Smoothie and Supplement store and Mention this advertisement for The MMA BUZZ Discount! Also Book your all your Travel needs at MMATravelsmart.com

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

but he did throw punches, lol, even though they wern't ko or tko ones, they were thrown.

April 15, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

I would like to say , rash guards are not only cool looking, but safe, and stop people form getting heppegonahclimitiaringwormemptigo rash fror people like Kpeazy.

April 15, 2008

money mike said:

On the whole thing with VOD I don't think he should be fined. That should all fall on the ref at the time. They were both in there to do what they like to do which can go for anyone. It is all adrenalin pushing you. The refs job is to JUMP in to stop the fight if he thinks it is over weather the guy is out or not. Pro fighters are the same way.... most won't stop hitting till they get pushed off or tackled. But I am glad Hartle is ok... Both fighters are warriors.

April 16, 2008

Jody Fight Manager Joint Forces said:

First of all thanks to everyone at Steel City Rumble~ It was a good event all the way around. Good fights and great venue! Congrats to everyone that won, you boys all put on one heck of a show though! And I mean ALL of you!

April 16, 2008

dad said:

way to go james,awesome fight,u r ready 4 pro ,jeep up the good work dad

April 16, 2008

Spectator said:

There is a difference in throwing punches and landing punches. I wouldn't even classify Lex's 'taps' as a form of child abuse. MMAbuzz, it is more important that your write-ups accurately portay the events of the evening vs. what a fighter is quoted to have said. This is especially important for those that were not able to attend and count on your write-ups for updates of the evening. Fortunately, I was able to attend and have since watched the video and found the write-up on Tyrone and Lex's fight nothing short of comical. Comments like "It was actually Lex Maldonaldo that was too strong" and "he was injured and Maldonaldo's fists had something to do with it". Come on now, those weren't direct quotes from Lex, so help us understand. Again, publish an accurate portrayal of what happened in the ring. I will say Tyrone that you were holding back from the initial bell in the 1st round. The fight could and would have been over in the 1st round had you not.

April 19, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

Point taken. This was something new for the site (new writer) and I will edit the write ups a little more carefully next time. It is hard to paint an 'accurate' picture of a fight sometimes. Especially when everyone has a different angle they are watching it from. Ryan wasn't sitting ringside so in his view I'm sure the punches looked like they were doing damage. Neither of us has had the privilege of watching the video either (Rob when are those going to be on iTunes???). I apologized to Tyrone on that way the fight write up may have come across and will do my best to spend a little more time going through a write up before posting it on the site.

April 19, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

Hey Spectator a few things, sense, you know, you're just a "spectator" and all. First, the story went from "there were no punches attempted" to "well I wouldn't even classify them as child abuse" which is it? also another point, I love how you can say you can see everything in the fight, from a video that someone recorded, because I will tell you, me commentating it and all, and knowing the people who made the DVD, i don't understand how you have so much insite from either a seat or a homemade crowd video. Also how can you say he wa sholding back? I mean s**t, I was ring side, blabing my mouth about the fight, and it sure as hell did not look like anyone was holding back. The point I am trying to make is , you bitch a moan about a write up (which I do agree with why you would be angry) but then you just go off and say stupid one sided crap like " I wouldn't call that a form of child abuse" and "you could of won that in the first round, but you were just holding back". you know the whoel stone, glass house thing..yeah follow it. I will tell you what I SAW, and you may not liek that. I saw two guys who looked like fish out of water when on the ground, thats what I saw. No insult at all, but neither fighter should be bragging about anything involved in that fight, and should look at it like they should put time on the matt and learn the basics of grappling.

April 19, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

I guess the overall lesson I learned from this write up is that it's not worth the time and energy that goes into the write up cause people are going to pick it apart and find the 2-3 things wrong with it. I've always tried to: 1) Cover the 'good' in a show. You don't see us writing about everything that went wrong. 2) Try to stick to the facts (Carl won by RNC, etc) 3) Fight Photos 4) Post Fight Interviews 5) A couple 'notes' about the show 6) Let the community discuss the show We tried something a little different this time and it didn't quite work out. Moving on....unless there are more 'guests' out there that have to add their two cents.

April 19, 2008

Dinstitute said:

I agree with Chris. I was sitting right beside him during this fight and to say that someone was holding back is completely inaccurate. Fighters go in there to fight and that's what they did. Whatever the reason for the injury and the stoppage was, IT WAS STILL STOPPED. Don't take anything away from either fighter. Mike, I can see the problems with the new format because it becomes very subjective. Maybe leave all the opinions to the users of the site through comments. Or get just the comments from the two fighters that went at it and leave it at that.

April 19, 2008

staulky pimp said:

Mike, i dont think you should let s**t like this get you discouraged people, most people i should say respect this website and the hell of a job it always does on the write ups bottom line is dude lost does it really matter what punches are landed and what punches aint, and if a guy goes in to a fight well struggaling with an injury and he reaggravates that injury in the fight and know one knows about the fighters previous struggle isnt one to asume that the injury happened in the fight. just my oppinion

April 19, 2008

Scrooge McDOOM said:

Mike keep doin what your doing. Its allways funny when people come on here and make waves and they dont even have the nuggets to show who they are. My guess is that hes not a fighter bevause any fighter that has been in the ring (or not) will show repect to what we do. The guys a weener. thats right, I called him a weener. The fact of the matter is that sometimes fight are not allways exciting and crazy but thats the nature of the beast. Fighters do their best to make the crown happy but WE AKA fighters will tak it how ever it comes at us. We all want to win by knockin a dude out but ill take a boring RNC anytime aswell. If you are a true fan of MIXED MARTIAL ARTS then you will appreciate the skill, patients, thought process and heart that is involved as well as the ammount of courrage that it takes just to step into a ring. So Mr. Spectator.....Stick to what your good at and keep watching every single UFC event and go to your local bar and tell everyone how you train to be a cage fighter just to try to impress the the ugly chick sitting by herself. Chicks dig CAGE FIGHTERS. TOOL!!!!!!!

April 19, 2008

MMAbuzz said:

Thanks Drew. And you are DAMN SEXY, don't let know one hate on that..ever!!!!

April 19, 2008

ChrisZacher said:

ChrisZacher is by far, the s