Total Cage Combat 1/5/08

MMA Institute featured five fighters on the Total Cage Combat "New Year's Knockout" card January 5th 2008. An exciting and electric atmosphere filled the Richmond International Raceway auditorium as almost 5000 people attended the venue. The event featured 19 fights with combatants coming from as far as California to compete.

Coach Rick McCoy was both excited and nervous about the event. "As a coach it's the closest thing to getting in there myself – it's different when you have to sit back and watch," said McCoy. "In the school we show our guys everything we got and hope it comes out in the Ring." He added.

When asked about when one of his fighter's loses, McCoy had this to say: "It's obviously a terrible feeling – I want them to know I know how they feel – but I'll never feel as bad as they do." McCoy stressed the pride he has in his fighters, adding "Win or lose, I'm proud of each of my guys who has the courage to step in the ring. 99% of the world doesn't have those kind of guys."

MMA Institute is looking ahead to Valhalla 4 on January 19th at the Alltel Pavillion Stuart C. Siegel Center on the VCU campus. They will have 6 fighters on the card that evening.

FIGHT SUMMARIES:

Mike King (MMAI, 3-4 record) vs. Caleb McAllister (1-1) – Lightweight Bout

In an exciting fight that literally was determined by a second, Mike King (MMAI) was able to submit a game Caleb McAllister of Lynchburg, VA.

The fight began with a light exchange from the fighters, with King landing a vicious takedown early in the first round. McAllister was able to weather the storm on the ground however, resetting his guard. Eventually the two reached their feet again, and King landed a devastating slam after a few punches were exchanged.

On the ground, King secured the back mount briefly as McAllister fought hard to escape. As round 1 neared its end, King attempted and secured a deep triangle submission. Fighting hard to get out, McAllister eventually tapped with 1 second remaining in the round. King was awarded victory via triangle submission at 2:59, Rd 1.

Jacob Young (MMAI, 2-0) vs. Scott Perry 0-1) – Welterweight Bout

One of the area's up and coming fighters, Jacob Young continued to impress as he improved his record to 2-0 over Scott Perry of Baltimore MD. Perry was making his amateur debut.

The fight opened with a brief striking exchange, with Young landing a few inside leg kicks. Perry pushed the action and got in close with Young, briefly holding a choke attempt. Young countered with a take down and put Perry against the fence. Young improved his position to take Perry's back. After landing a few blows, he submitted him via rear naked choke at 1:12 of the first round.

Young is fighting again on the Valhalla 4 card January 19th and will be looking to improve to 3-0.

Kenny Tarrant (MMAI, 0-2) vs. Timoty Wade (2-0) Bantam Weight

In an electric fight that went the distance, Kenny Tarrant and Timoty Wade put quite a show for the fans, as Wade won by unanimous decision. Both formidable opponents on their feet, the fight has a hard hitting, tough fought contest.

Wade opened with a flurry of punches that stunned Tarrant. Not to be outdone, Tarrant answered with a few blows of his own. Wade used effective counter punching and moved in close for a takedown. Wade passed Tarrant's guard and gained full mount. In a bad position and receiving punishment, Tarrant was able to weather the storm, eventually escaping. Wade attempted a serious submission attempt as the round came to a close.

Round 2 featured more of the same effective striking from Wade as he continued to land punches. Tarrant was able to withstand many of the blows and land a few shots of his own but once again the fight went to the ground. Wade showed effective mat prowess as he once again mounted Tarrant and began landing punches. Tarrant showed determination as he was able to hold on until the round ended.

In the third and final round, Tarrant was able to get in close to Wade and attempted a guillotine choke. Standing inside Tarrant's guard against the fence – Wade withstood the storm as both fighters began to visibly tire. After a long attempt at the choke and effective defense by Wade, referee Dave Tress reset the fighters. The fight shortly ended after that, as the bell rung.

Wade was awarded a well deserved unanimous decision.

Westwood Donnelly (MMAI, 3-6) vs. Michael Phillips (15-5) Lightweight Title Bout

In a fight riddled with history, Michael Phillips of Virginia Beach scored a convincing victory over Westwood Donnelly in the TCC Lightweight title bout.

A previous encounter of the two fighters left Donnelly with a broken sternum. This rematch, though brief, featured intense action and spirit from both fighters. Right from the opening bell the combatants went toe to toe, exchanging intense punches and kicks. Phillips was able to take Donnelly down and gained full mount position and began landing solid punches.

Donnelly managed to escape and roll, trying to submit Phillips from the bottom with a leg lock. Phillips, the savvy veteran with 20 fights to his credit, was able to escape and once again bring the fight to the ground. After a flurry of activity, Phillips took Donnelly's back, where he was able to sink in a rear naked choke at 2:35 of the first round.

Daniel Dove (MMAI, 8-3) vs. Selah Williams (6-1) Middleweight Title Bout

In the fight of the evening the much anticipated matchup between Daniel Dove and Selah Williams (Long Beach, CA) delivered just as much action as it did controversy. After a intense bout Dove was awarded a unanimous decision and retained his TCC middleweight title.

Williams, the flamboyant and confident fighter was verbally dejected with the judges decision, calling it "hometown scoring". Williams, who was previously undefeated did show great respect for Dove in his post-fight interview.

The fight began with Williams pushing the action, forcing a take down on Dove. Once on the ground, Dove showed skilled jiu jitsu in attempting a triangle that was successfully defended by Williams. Williams was able to posture and land a few blows before the two separated – with dove attempting an exciting leg kick from his back that glanced off of Williams. Williams backed off allowing Dove to stand again and a brief leg kick exhange occurred before the end of the round.

Round 2 began with much of the same action as Dove clinched Williams and landed a few knees. However, an incidental groin shot to Dove delayed the fight for about two minutes as he was given time to recover from the blow. Once reset, the fighters exchanged huge punches – both connecting on right crosses. Dove ended up in William's guard with Williams attempting a shoulder lock submission as the round ended.

In Round 3 the wear on the fighters began to show as the amount of strikes began to diminish in favor of ground work. Williams was able to land a nice takedown as the two fell to the ground inside Dove's guard. After inactivity, the two were reset onto their feet, with Williams again scoring a takedown shortly thereafter. After a guillotine attempt by Dove the fight ended and went to the score card – were Dove was awarded a controversial, unanimous decision.