ICF: TurfwaR Live Blog With Pics

I'm here at Turfway Park in Florence, KY, just a few minutes away from the first fight of tonight's ICF: TurfwaR event. Headlined by a main event between Dan Christison and Brion Peoples, the event features eleven amateur fights and one other pro fight between Tim Cook, making his pro debut, and Daniel Straus.


The ICF has graciously provided me with my own photographer for the event, Sean Balanger, who took the pictures for my prior ICF live blog. I'll be posting the pictures after the fights tonight.

There are vendors here from CockDiesel, MMA Hood, Walker MMA, Team Vision, Fight Durty, and Dirty Grappler (Beckley MMA's house brand).

A special thanks to Fight For Life USA for hooking me up with a custom shirt for tonight's event.

George Conley vs. Sam Burhle (155)

Conley, making his MMA debut, fights out of Domination MMA. Burhle fights out of Team Xtreme.

Round 1
Conley opens up with a body kick that Burhle answers with a leg kick. The two exchange leg kicks, both lookign for the advantage. Burhle lands a left hook but Conley comes back with a straight right. Conley fires another leg kick and Burhle misses with a left hook. Conley shoots in, but Burhle locks up Conley's head in a standing guillotine attempt. Conley gets his head out and the two clinch against the cage. Burhle reverses position and lands a knee to the body which Conley answers with one of his own. The two work their way around the cage, neither gaining a distinct advantage. They trade knees and short body shots. Ref Greg Franklin breaks them up. Neither fighter seemed to gain a decisive advantage in the first round, but I see Conley as a slight favorite because he seemed to be in control slightly longer.

PreView sees it 10-9 Conley.

Round 2
Burhle opens with a straight right and a leg kick. Both fighters are landing leg kicks and short jabs, looking for the advantage. They clinch in the center of the cage and trade multiple body shots. Conley gets Burhle against the cage and utilizes foot stomps. Both fighters are trading knees and short shots. They break and Burhle lands a left hook. Conley grazes Burhle with a right hook and pushes him against the cage again. Burhle lands multiple knees and they trade agaisnt the cage. Burhle lands a short right and Conley pushes him against the cage. Conley has the dominant position in terms of control on the cage, but Burhle is landing more knees and body shots. Another close round. I'd see Burhle as a slight favorite in this round, mainly due to his constant working even when he was pushed against the cage.

PreView sees it 10-9 Burhle.

Round 3
Burhle lands a left hook to open the round, and hits Conley with some short punches and knees as Conley pushes him against the cage. Burhle is staying busy even though Conley has him locked against the cage. Burhle reverses position but Conley then reverses himself. The Referee breaks them up as the action slows. Burhle lands a leg kick and Conley steps in with a hard jab. Conley goes for the takedown, but Burhle is able to defend. Conley scores a sweep, but Burhle has a guillotine locked in. Conley is still working and transitions to mount, but Burhle still has the guillotine locked in. Conley manages to pull his head out, but Burhle takes the top position in Conley's full guard. Burhle lands a few short shots to Conley's head as the round expires. Again, a close round, but I think Burhle has a decisive edge. Even though Conley landed the takedown, Burhle locked in a good submission attempt and landed more strikes.

PreView sees it 10-9 Burhle.

Conley is in the black shorts, Burhle in the red.





Burhle wins via split decision [29-28 (Burhle), 29-28 (Conley), 30-27 (Burhle)].

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Tom Black vs. Dan Spradlin (189)

Black fights out of Shamrock Boxing and is cornered by former ICF Amateur Light Heavyweight Champ and FightTicker.com member George Oiler. Dan "Cincy Bad Boy" Spradlin fights out of Team Vision.

Round 1
Spradlin lands two leg kicks and follows up with a flurry of punches and knee to the body before Black takes it down and lands in Spradlin's full guard. Black unsuccessfully tries to pass guard, but lands some hard body shots. Black is able to briefly posture up but Spradlin pulls him back down. When Black tries to posture up again, Spradlin throws his legs up and moves to lock in a triangle. Black manages to muscle his way out and Spradlin pulls guard. Black lands a hard right from the top, followed by other shots to Spradlin's head. Spradlin doesn't appear hurt, but isn't making any offensive moves as the round expires.

PreView sees it 10-9 Black.

Round 2
Spradlin misses with a Superman punch followed by a head kick. He steps in with some jabs, but is slightly short on distance. Both fighters land good leg kicks with Spradlin getting the better of the exchange. Spradlin misses with a big uppercut. Black goes in with a leg kick but eats a straight right in the process that sees his nose immediately start bleeding. Black lands a double leg takedown but Spradlin has him locked up in a guillotine. Black taps to the guillotine, ending the fight.

Black is in the black shorts, Spradlin has on the blue gloves.





Spradlin wins via submission (guillotine) at 1:22 in Round 2.

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Robert Nguyen vs. Alex Smith (135)

Nguyen fights out of Performance Edge in Lexington, KY. Nguyen's last fight in the ICF, against Team Xtreme's Corey Zimmerman was my pick for Fight of the Night. Alex Smith fights out of Team Xtreme.

Round 1
Nguyen comes with a flurry of punches, but Smith quickly clinches up and gets Nguyen against the cage. Both are jockeying for position, trying for the takedown. Nguyen pulls Smith down and Smith works for Nguyen's mount, landing shots to the head. Nguyen quickly transitions to an armbar, but Smith slams Nguyen and pulls out. Smith gets top position on the ground, and Nguyen works for another armbar which sees Smith slam him again. Nguyen manages to lock Smith's arm up again but Smith pulls out. Smith transitions to side control, landing more punches and working for a guillotine. Smith locks in a guillotine and pulls guard and rolls, working the guillotine from the top. Nguyen gets out but Smith transitions to mount and lands shots from the top as the round ends.

A close round, but I think Smith edged it out by landing more strikes. It was a fast pace for the whole five minutes, and both guys look ready to keep it up as long as it takes.

PreView sees it 10-9 Smith.

Round 2
Nguyen quickly closes the distance, but Smith clinches up and sweeps Nguyen. Nguyen has full guard and tries to transition to a trianglechoke, then an armbar, then a kneebar. Smith manages to get out and Nguyen pulls guard. Nguyen is working for a triangle, but Smith manages to pass guard and ends up in side control. Smith lands a short knee on the way up but Nguyen lands some hard body shots. Smith tries for the takedown, but Nguyen defends and lands multiple shots while trying to lock in a reverse triangle from the top. Smith manages to get his head out, but Nguyen still has the dominant position on the ground. After some reversals and roles, Nguyen ends up on top and lands some head shots as the round expires.

Nguyen has a pretty dominant round after the first minute or so. He didn't do much damage to Smith, but made Smith constantly work to defend himself to stay out of Nguyen's multiple submission attempts.

PreView sees it 10-9 Nguyen

Round 3
Smith opens up with a combination. Nguyen steps in, but Smith takes him down and lands shots from the top. Nguyen works his way back up and the two keep reversing positions against the cage. Smith trips Nguyen and takes him down. Smith lands some shots from the top, and briefly tries to sink in a guillotine, but Nguyen gets out. Smith is landing shots from the top, but Nguyen is staying busy on the bottom, trying to land shots of his own. The Ref stands them up, but I think that was premature - both were staying very busy on the ground. Nguyen clinches up and lands some knees to the body. Nguyen manages to get a single leg takedown but Smith lands in the dominant position on the ground, transitions and ends up in Nguyen's half-guard. Smith lands more shots to Nguyen's face as the round expires.

I think Smith managed to take this round - he landed more quality shots and seemed to be able to keep Nguyen from truly working his BJJ game on the ground. Hats off to both fighters, though - these guys kept up a great pace for three rounds and never stopped working. Looks like Nguyen is going to get his second nod from me for Fight of the Night.

Nguyen is in the gray shorts with red trim, Smith in the red shorts with black trim.





Alex Smith wins via Unanimous Decision (All three judges scored it 29-28).

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Justin Hunt vs. Yance Martin (174)

Hunt fights out of Team Nemesis, and last fought for the ICF had my vote for KO of the Night. Martin fights out of Walker MMA.

Round 1
No "feeling your opponent out" here. Hunt fires off a hard right that Martin answers with a leg kick. Hunt lands a couple hard short punches in a flurry and gets Martin down. Martin works his way back up and almost takes Hunt down with a leg kick that knocked his leg out from under him. Martin finished the takedown and Hunt pulls half-guard. Martin lands more shots from the top. Hunt rolls over to escape the punches, but Martin sinks in a rear naked choke that sees Hunt tap, ending the fight.

Hunt is in camo trunks, Martin in the black with white lettering.





Martin wins via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:55 of Round 1.

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Matt Johnson vs. Tyler Brewer (135)

Johson fights out of Domination MMA. Brewer fights out of Team Xtreme.

Round 1
Brewer misses with a jab. Johnson goes for the takedown but Brewer reverses and gets him down with a whizzer. They stand, and Johnson lands a hard shot and Brewer lands a single leg takedown. Johnson takes Brewer's back, but Brewer has one of Johnson's arms locked up. Johnson lands body shots with his free arm while Brewer works to toss him off. Johnson is trying to secure a body triangle, but Brewer manages to turn and Johnson pulls full guard. Brewer lands some shots to Johnson's head from the top, coming down with hammer fists. Brewer lands more hard shots but Johnson doesn't seem to be phased. The ref stands them up again and Johnson tosses Brewer with a highlight reel hip toss that almost puts Brewer down directly on his head. A great effort as the round ends, but I'm guessing it's not enough to change the judges' minds to win him the round.

PreView sees it 10-9 Brewer.

Round 2
Action starts quickly in the second round with Johnson landing some hard shots to Brewer's head and Brewer landing a single leg takedown. Johnson tries to shake Brewer off, but Brewer sinks in an armbar which Johnson is able to slowly pull out of, but Brewer takes his back and works for the rear naked choke. Johnson manages to pull one of Brewer's arms off, but Brewer switches his arm for another rear naked choke. Johnson rolls and Brewer lets go of the RNC, but still has Johnson's back and is landing multiple shots to Johnson's head. Johnson manages to roll and reverse the position and briefly lands in mount as the round expires. Johnson opened strong, but Brewer definitely had the advantage on the ground.

PreView sees it 10-9 Brewer.

Round 1
Brewer immediately shoots in for a takedown, but Johnson defends and lands some short punches to Brewer's head. Brewer scores the takedown, but Johnson lands in a dominant position, on his knees, landing multiple body shots on Brewer. Brewer moves as though to stand, but gets a single leg takedown to get Johnson on his back. Johnson transitions and lands a triangle from the bottom and rolls over to get the triangle from the mount, landing multiple unanswered shots to Brewer's head. Brewer tries to defend from the bottom, but Johnson's position is too dominant. The ref warns Brewer to stay busy or he's going to call the fight, and eventually stops it due to more unanswered shots from Johnson.

Johnson is in the red shorts with black stripes, Brewer in the red shorts with black trim.





Matt Johnson wins via TKO (ref stoppage/strikes) at 2:12 of Round 3.

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There's a brief break in the action as Jami Miller and Tiffany Johnson step into the cage to announce their upcoming match at ICF: Breakout, April 11th, at US Bank Arena. Miller was supposed to fight tonight, but her opponent backed out at the last minute. That was Miller's second opponent to back out in two fights.

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Thomas Dumastas vs. Eric Silz (155)

Dumastas, making his MMA debut, fights out of On Point Athletics. Silz, also making his debut, fights out of Club MMA.

Round 1
Silz opens the action early with a hard jab. Dumastas goes for a single leg takedown, but Silz lands shots to his head and is warned by the ref for hitting the back of the head and grabbing the fence. Silz continues to defend the takedown, landing more shots to Dumastas's head. Silz's gets Dumastas's back and lands more shots to the head. Silz is working for a reverse triangle from Dumastas's back, and lands more head shots. Silz transitions and tries for a belly down armbar, but lets Dumastas go to land some hard body shots. Silz tires to sink in a rear naked choke as the round ends. A definitive round for Silz. Both fighters received warnings, Silz for hitting the back of the head and grabbing the fence, and Dumastas for apparently trying to grab Silz's foot by his toes. No small joint manipulation allowed.

PreView sees it 10-9 Silz.

Round 2
Silz opens with another jab and Dumastas tries to counter with a takedown that Silz stuffs. Silz spins around and takes Dumastas's back again, landing shots to the side of Dumastas's head and trying to sink in the RNC. Dumastas is trying to shake Silz off, and is warned by the Ref to defend himself. Dumastas isn't able to do much to defend against the multiple shots Silz is landing to his head. Silz flattens Dumastas out and sinks in the RNC, securing the tap.

Silz is in the black shorts, Dumastas in the red.





Eric Silz wins via submission (RNC) at 1:56 in Round 2

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Kevin Cantley vs. Scott Roberts (140)

"KO" Cantley fights out of Team Xtreme. Roberts fights out of Team Nemesis.

Round 1
Cantley lands a left to start the action and Roberts quickly answers. Both fighters move around the ring and trading hard punches and kicks to the body and Roberts works in a guillotine attempt, but Cantley gets out. Roberts get Cantley down again, and looks to have a guillotine locked in, but Cantley gets out. With Roberts on his back to his feet, Cantley lands a kick to Roberts's leg. Roberts works his way off the ground, but Cantley lands a kick to Roberts's stomach that the crowd in the top row could hear and immediately raises a welt on Roberts's stomach. Cantley lands a hard left and takes Roberts down, unleashing a hard ground and pound assault until Roberts taps due to the multiple unaswered strikes.

Cantley is in the red shorts, Roberts in the black shorts with white stripes.





Kevin Cantley wins via submission (strikes) at 1:50 of Round 1.

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Jason Cocagne vs. Kyle Agee (185)

Cocagne fights out of Team Vision. Agee fights out of Performance Edge.

Round 1
Both fighters start out testing their reach, and Cocagne lands a leg kick. They circle, and Cocagne comes in with a wide left hook that misses, but immediately throws a hard overhand right that floors Agee. Cocagne manages to land a few more shots before Ref Greg Franklin steps in stopping the fight.

Cocagne is in the brown shorts, Agee in the camo.





Jason Cocagne wins via KO at :41 in Round 1

(Agee would have been able to leave the cage under his own power, but apparently when he fell, he landed on his ankle, so he's assisted on his way out.)

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Mark Crawn vs. Keith Cunagin (189)

Crawn fights out of Beckley MMA and is cornered by George Oiler. Cunagin fights out of Team Vision.

Round 1
Cunagin opens the action with a leg kick followed by a short left hook and another leg kick. Crawn lands an inside leg kick and the meet in the middle and Crawn lands a jabm. Cunagin goes for a leg kick, but Crawn grabs his leg and lands a hard right, taking Cunagin down. Crawn initially has top positions but Cunagin rolls out and Crawn pulls guard. Cunagin's nose is gushing blood. Cunagin tires to get up, but Crawn works for a knee bar and takes him back down. Cunagin tries to pull out and Crawn lets him go, but quickly pounces on him with a left hook and takes Cunagin's back. Cunagin manages to get free, but Crawn pulls guard. Cunagin stands and Crawn gets back up, the two trading knees. Cunagin moves in for the takedown, but on the way down extends his head too far and Crawn sinks in the guillotine, forcing the tap.

Crawn is in the camo shorts, Cunagin in the black.





Mark Crawn wins via submission (guillotine) at 2:45 of Round 1

(It's taking three guys in the cage working simultaneously to clean up all the blood.)

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Jim Davis vs. David Smith (310)

This fight is for the ICF Amateur Super Heavyweight Championship. Davis, undefeated at 2-0, fights out of Team Vision. Smith fights out of Workhouse Gym, making his MMA debut.

Round 1
Davis comes in quick with a left hook. The two trade punches and knees. Both are swinging for the fences, but Davis is getting the better of the exchanges. Davis lands a solid right that floors Smith, and when Smith landed, he hit his head on the mat, stunning him. Davis took advantage of the opportunity to quickly ground and pound his way to the win, with the ref coming in quickly to stop it.

Davis is in the black shorts with vertical stripe down the leg, Smith in the black shorts.





Jim Davis wins via TKO (strikes) at :34 in Round 1, taking the first ever ICF Super Heavyweight Championship.

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Numerous video spots have been playing throughout the night to promote ICF: Breakout, April 11th, as US Bank, from guys like Chad Hinton, Dan Christison and Shonie Carter. Carter's is by far as the funniest, as he claimed in the video that he is an International Connoisseur of Brazilian Speedos. I don't think anybody would argue with him on that.

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Doug Balinger vs. Jeremy Pender (135)

This fight is for the ICF Amateur Bantamweight championship. Balinger fights out of Team Nemesis. Defending Champ and FightTicker.com member Jeremy "Pony Boy" Pender fights out of Domination MMA.

Round 1
In a show of great respect, the fighters meet in the middle of the mat to hug before starting the action. Balinger comes in with an inside leg kick, almost a crotch shot. Pender waives it off and they continue. Both land short shots to the other's head. Balinger feints with a kick and goes in for a punch. Pender answers with one of his own, but Balinger takes it to the ground and has Pender in a guillotine. Pender reaches for one of his own and both roll, letting go. Pender is in side control, landing body shots and when Balinger tries to roll, Pender takes his back. Pender is trying to get his hand in for a RNC, but Balinger is defending. Pender lands two shots to the side of Balinger's head and rolls, securing a body triangle and landing more short shots to Balinger's head and body to end the round.

PreView sees it 10-9 Pender.

Round 2
Balinger lands the first shot of the round, a leg kick. Pender comes in with a Superman punch and a two-punch combo. Pender takes Balinger's back from the standing position and lands multiple shots to Balinger's head. Balinger gets back to his feet and pushes Pender against the cage. Balinger transitions for a hip toss, but Pender takes his back and takes the fight back to the ground. Pender rolls Balinger to his side and secures another body triangle. Ref Greg Franklin breaks it up when the action slows. Pender lands a spinning back kick and Balinger answers with a kick to the body. Pender lands a two punch combo and both miss with body kicks as the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 for Pender

Round 3
Starting the round, Pender doesn't look winded at all. Pender steps in and lands a push jab. Pender lands more unanswered punches and Balinger shoots in for the takedown but Pender defends. Balinger's nose is bleeding now. Pender tries to take Balinger's back from the standing position again, but Balinger defends. Pender comes in with a flurry of punches but Balinger gets a guillotine and takes Pender down, rolls and has the guillotine from the top. Balinger lets go and Pender pulls full guard. Balinger lands a head shot from the top, but Pender is holding him down, preventing him from posturing up and the Ref stands them up again. Pender lands some short shots to Balinger's head and body and Balinger tires to answer with some of his own. Balinger tries to get Pender down, but Pender takes his back and sinks in the RNC right before the round expires, securing the submission victory and retaining his Bantamweight title.

Pender is in the black shorts, Balinger in the camo.









Jeremy Pender wins via submission (RNC) at 2:56 in Round 3

(Amateur title fights are 5 three-minute rounds. After the fight, both Balinger and Pender were as friendly as when they started, meeting again in the center of the mat to hug it out.

After the fight, it is also announced, as previously reported by FightTicker.com, that Pender will be making his pro debut at the ICF: Breakout show on April 11 at US Bank Arena.)

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Tim Cook vs. Daniel Straus (155)

Cook, making his pro debut, taking the fight on 9 day's notice, fights out of Team Full Force. Straus fights out of Team Vision.

Round 1
Cook lands a leg kick but Straus takes it down and Cook pulls full guard. Straus lands elbows to Cook's head and Cook works for an armbar, but Straus pulls out and Cook again pulls guard. Straus lands some short elbows, but Cook is defending and lands a couple shots from the bottom. Straus gets out of Cook's guard and lands short shots to Cook's head. Cook lands shots to Straus's body from the bottom. Straus lands more shots and Cook gets a leg over Straus's head going for another armbar, but Straus again pulls out. Straus works to land more short shots and Cook has half-guard. Cook works his way up and lands a body kick. Straus lands a body kick of his own and clinches up and tries to take Cook down. Straus secures the takedown and lands in side control. Cook is working, landing knees to the body from the bottom. Straus lands more elbows from the top and opens a cut on Cook's head as the round expires.

PreView sees it 10-9 Straus.

Round 2
Straus lands a short right hook to start the round, Cook misses with two punches of his own, and Straus follows up with a head kick that takes Cook down. Cook tries to grab one of Straus's legs to defend, but Straus lands head shots and ref Greg Franklin runs in to stop the fight.

Cook is in the red shorts, Straus in the white.





Daniel Straus wins via TKO (ref stoppage) at :11 of Round 2.

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MAIN EVENT

Dan Christison vs. Brion Peoples (265)

The night's main event features a pro match-up between Dan Christison and Brion Peoples. Peoples fights out of Solid Ohio MMA and is cornered by guys from Walker MMA. Christison fights out of Team Sandbox and is cornered by UFC HeavyweightJake O'Brien.

Round 1
The action starts quickly as Peoples lands a leg kick. Christison answers with one of his own and the two trade punches, Christison getting the better of the exchange. Christison works Peoples around the cage and the two clinch up and trade knees. As Christison knees Peoples again, there is an audible crack and Peoples exclaims "Oh s**t" and goes down. Christison backs off and ref Greg Franklin rushes in to stop the fight. It appears as though Christison cracked one of Peoples' ribs.

Peoples is in the camo shorts, Christison in the blue.





Dan Christison wins via TKO (knee) at :36 of Round 1.

(Christison will be featured in the Co-Main Event of ICF: Breakout at US Bank Arena on April 11th against Marcio Cruz.)

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Some good fights tonight. I'll have post-fight interviews and commentary posted soon.

-PreView