Hardrock MMA 7: Jealousy is Earned Live Blog (May 23, 2009)

I'm here at the National Guard Armory in Elizabethtown, KY waiting for HardRock MMA 7: Jealousy is Earned to start. One of the largest fight cards that the tri-state area has ever seen, the card is set to feature eighteen fights and two grappling matches. I already spent some time chatting with former UFC fighter Dan Christison, a special guest referee tonight, and the seats are filling up as the countdown to fight time continues.

More when the action starts. I won't be live blogging the grappling matches, but I will be posting the names of the winners. The grappling matches are one three-minute round.

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Dakota Vincent vs. Bobby Campbell (Grappling)

Bobby Campbell wins on points.

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Steven Jenkins vs. Brodie Hayer (135)

Jenkins is making his amateur MMA debut. Hayer, training out of E-Town BJJ & Judo is also making his debut.

Round 1

Jenkins opens up with a left while hayer tries to get in a leg kick. Jenkins get Hayer down but can't capitalize and Hayer gets up. Hayer lands a couple knees and Jenkins ducks in with a punch but hayer has him locked in a standing guillotine. Hayer gets Jenkins to the ground but Jenkins gets his head out and stands. Heayer misses with a big right hook and they both fire off simultaneous rights, both landing. Jenkins ties up Hayer in a guillotine and takes him down, flattens Jenkins out in the north-south position, quickly forcing the tap.

Steven Jenkins wins via tapout (choke) at 1:33 in Round 1

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Jacob Ballinger vs. Corey Clemons (Grappling)

Corey Clemmons wins via tapout (rear naked choke)

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Justin Collett vs. Matt Hutcherson (Hvy)

Collett (7-17) fights out of Team Middlesboro. Hutcherson (1-0) fights out of E-Town Beatdown.

Round 1
Collett misses with a body kick and Hutcherson takes him down. Hutcherson quickly transitions to side control, Collett spins and Hutcherseon works for a guillotine from the top. Collett struggles to get a double-leg takedown and Hutcherson is warned for grabbing the cage. They go to the ground and Hutcherson takes Collett's back, flattens him out and starts landing shots to the side of Collett's head, then sinks in a rear naked choke, quickly forcing the tap.

Matt Hutcherson wins via tapout (RNC) in Round 1

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Coty Barron vs. Ashcon Karbosi (185)

Barron (0-1) fights out of Huitt Fighting Systems. Karbosi (1-0) fights out of BG Beatdown.

Round 1
Karbosi fires off a sshort left and Barron shoots in and they clinch up and trade knees to the body. Karbosi gets Barron down with a hard right and immediately moves to the mount position. Barron spins out of it but Karbosi reestablishes the top position and starts landing shots to Barron's head. Karbosi gets to the mount and starts to ground and pound, holding Barron down with one hand and pounding him with the other until ref Dan Christison comes in to stop the action.

Ashcon Karbosi wins via TKO (strikes) at 1:14 in Round 1.

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Josh Smith vs. Nathan Roach (155)

Smith (1-1) fights out of Team Middlesboro. Roach, making his MMA debut, fights out of Death is Certain.

Round 1
Smith fakes witha leg kick and tries to shoot in but Roach picks him up and slams him hard. Smith has Roach's head tied up and Roach pushes Smith up against the cage, landing body shots. Roach gets his head out and then immediately pulls guard and sinks in a guillotine, quickly ending the fight.

Nathan Roach wins via tapout (guillotine) in Round 1 (Right around one minute)

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Justin Hunt vs. Scott Fremming (170)

Hunt (2-5) fights out of Team Nemesis. Fremming, making his debut, fights out of ETown Beatdown.

Round 1
Fremming shoots in, missing a right hook from Hunt, and gets Hunt to the ground. He quickly works his way to the north-south position, then Hunt's back, landing head shots and working for the rear naked choke, sinking it in quickly to win his debut.

Scott Fremming wins via tapout (RNC) at :41 in Round 1.

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Jeremy Philpot vs. Paul Tipton (145)

Philpot (7-7) fights out of Team Middlesboro. Tipton (5-2) fights out of ETown Beatdown.

Round 1
Tipton misses with a big right hook but gets Philpot's head briefly caught in a guillotine. The two struggle against the cage and finally hit the ground. Tipton is in side control and transitions to full mount, landing some head shots. Philpot spins and Tipton takes his back, landing some head shots, trying to get in a rear naked choke. Philpot defends and rolls but Tipton maintains position and rolls Philpot over, sinking in the rear naked choke. Philpot won't tap and he loses consciousness before ref Chad Corvin can get in to stop the fight. However, Philpot quickly regains consciousness and is able to exit the ring on his own power.

Tipton wins via submission (RNC) in at 1:33 in Round 1

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David Young vs. Thomas Brownfield (170)

Young is 0-1 as an amateur. Brownfield (0-2) fights out of Death is Certain.

Round 1
Young fires off an overhand right, but misses. They clinch up and Brownfield lands a knee to the body, then another and Yougn answes with one. Brownfield lands a takedown and transitions to the mount position, landing some head shots. He gets one of Young's arms behind his head and lands more head shots until ref Chad Corvin steps in to stop the fight.

Thomas Brownfield wins via TKO (strikes) at :56 of Round 1.

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James Brasfield vs. Frank Mulder (205)

Both fighters come into this fight with 0-1 amateur records.

Round 1
Mulder opesn with a body kick. Brasfield tries to clinch up but Mulder shakes him off then sweeps him, landing in half-guard. Brasfield is keeping Mulder from posturing up, but Mulder gets free and stands, then lets Brasfield stand. Mulder lands a right hook and Brasfield lands a short hook of his own. They go back down and Mulder has top position but again, Brasfield is preventing him from fully posturing up. Mulder lands a couple short head shots and short slams and works his way to full mount. Mulder lands more short head shots and breaks free to land more. He stands and Brasfield rolls, then allowed to stand as Mulder backs off. Mulder lands another body kick and Brasfield gets Mulder's head locked up and Mulder scores a double-leg takedown. Mulder gets his head free and lands head shots from the top as the round expires.

PreView sees it 10-9 Mulder.

Brasfield is unable to continue after the first round.

Frank Mulder wins via TKO (opponent unable to continue) at 3:00 of Round 1.

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T.J. Stone vs. Kyle Griffith (155)

Stone (0-1) fights out of Huitt Fighting Systems. Griffith (1-1) fights out of Death is Certain.

Round 1
Stone misses with a right hook and Griffith takes him down but Stone ties his head up in the process. Griffith spins around, working body shots while he tries to pulls his head out. Griffith lands a couple head shots and more body shots, but his head is still stuck. Griffith finally manages to get his head free, gets full mount and starts landing multiple head shots until the ref pulls him off.

Kyle Griffith wins via TKO (strikes) at 1:19 of Round 1.

Kudos to Griffith for his second win in as many weeks - Griffith also fought at last week's ICF: Sacrifice event.

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Jason Newland vs. Danny Kelly (205)

Newland, fighting out of Huitt Fighting Systems is making his amateur MMA debut. Danny Kelly (1-0) fights out of BG Beatdown.

Round 1
Kelly opens with a hard leg kick. Newland misses with a leg kick and then Kelly misses with a high head kick. Kelly lands a short left and gest Newland against the cage but Newland ties up Kelly's head and attempts to pull guard with Kelly still standing. The two are stuck in this position, with Kelly still trying to pull his head free. As Newland tries to pull guard again, Kelly gets his head out and starts landing shots from the top and knees to the body. They stand and Newland is warned for grabbing the cage. Kelly scores a takedown and lands in side control, then transitions to full mount and starts landing multiple shots from the top until ref Chad Corvin steps in to stop the fight.

Danny Kelly wins via TKO (strikes) at 2:23 of Round 1.

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Drew Weaver vs. Matthew Carbaugh (145)

Weaver (1-0) fights out of Team Nemesis. Carbaugh (1-2) fights out of Darkside MMA.

Round 1
Weaver throws a body kick but Carbaugh catches it and takes him down. Carbaugh lands a couple shots from the top position but Weaver reverses and ends up in Carbaugh's guard. Weaver tries to land more shots but Carbaugh quickly transitions into an armbar, rolling Weaver over to the belly-down armbar position, quickly forcing the tap.

Matthew Carbaugh wins via tapout (armbar) at :30 of Round 1

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Doug Ballinger vs. Jon Rigdon (145)

Ballinger (6-5) fights out of Team Nemesis. Rigdon (4-0) fights out of BG Beatdown.

Round 1
Rigdon misses with a low leg kick. Ballinger lands a short right but Rigdon shoots in. Ballinger defends and gets Rigdon's neck locked up. Ballinger lets Rigdon's head go and tries to transition to an inverted triangle from the bottom but Ridgdon signals he's okay and lands some body shots. Rigdon tries to reverse but Ballinger takes the top position and Ridgon pulls guard. Rigdon locks in the triangle from the bottom but Ballinger is still working to land shots, briefly, before he taps.

Jon Rigdon wins via tapout (triangle) at 1:51 in Round 1.

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Chris Minks vs. Chad Denner (205)

Minks is 3-1. Deener (3-0) fights out of ETown Beatdown.

Round 1
Both fighters miss with their initial shots and clinch up - Deener takes it down. Deener quickly gets full mount but Minks lands some body shots. Deener works head shots from the top, keeping Minks against the cage. The two stand and Deener sweeps Minks, taking him down to a crouched position where he lands head shots. Minks goes for a standing guillotine but Deener is still working, landing body shots. Minks lands some body shots from the top and Deener scores a single-leg takedown. Deener lands head and body shots from teh top position and Minks tires to pull him down to keep him from posturing up. Deener lands more short head shots before briefly standing and going back down in the North-South position. The two stand and Deener lands two solid knees to head Minks's head before the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 Deener.

Round 2
Deener opesn with a right hook followed by a two-punch combo. He shoots in, going for the double-leg but Minks is able to briefly defend. They stand, Deener still pushing Minks against the cage, and Minks lands a couple of head shots. Deener answres with a short right hook and Minks works to throw some knees to the outside of Deener's body. Minks lands a knee to the head before Deener breaks free and lands three punches before getting Minks's head in the guillotine position and landing four knees to Minks's head. Deener continues to land knees to the head and body and Minks pushes him against the cage and lands a knee to Deener's leg. Deener reverses position and lands another knee to Minks's head. The two are trading short shots and Deener hits Minks with a hard foot stomp. Minks is staying busy though and landing body shots and Deener lands a hard straight right when the two separate. Minks has Deener's neck tied up and lands a couple body shots as the round ends.

Minks held strong in that round, but Deener should easily have come out ahead on the scorecars.

PreView sees it 10-9 Deener.

Round 3
Minks comes in with a left hook and the two trade multiple head shots before Deener gets Minks against the cage. They break and trade more head shots, Minks landing a few more than Deener. Minks lands a knee to the body and some body shots but Deener still has him locked up against the cage. Minks throws some more short body shots and the ref breaks them up as the action slows. Minks lands a hard right hook and Deener answers with a hard right of his own and clinches up, pushing Minks against the cage. Deener works for a double-leg takedown but Minks defends and fires off some short head shots. Minks lands a knee to Deener's head and the two are separate again when the action slows. Minks misses with big left and right hooks and Deener pushes him against the cage again, going for the double-leg taekdown. Minks is landing body shots and short head shots, and a final knee to Deener's head as the round expires.

A much closer final round - I think Minks will get the edge in this round, but I think Deener has the victory locked up.

PreView sees it 10-9 Minks.

Chad Deener wins via Unanimous Decision (29-28 from all three judges)

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David Ward vs. Jesse Grindstaff (135)

Ward (4-4) fights out of Team Superior. Grindstaff (4-3) fights out of Team Oxendine. This fights is for the vacant Hardrock MMA Bantamweight Title.

Round 1
Touch of the gloves and we're off. Both are testing the range. Grindstaff grazes Ward with a head kick and Ward shoots in and takes Grindstaff down but Grindstaff has full guard and a guillotine. Ward gets his head out but Grindstaff quickly transitions to a triangle and forces the tap early in the first.

Jesse Grindstaff wins via tapout (triangle) at :38 in Round 1 to become the Hardrock MMA Bantamweight Champ.
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Bo Huitt vs. Roger Minton (Hvy)

The night's lone pro fight features a match-up between Bo Huitt (0-2) out of Huitt Fighting Systems and Roger Minton (1-3) fighting out of Extreme Martial Arts and Fitness.

FightTicker's Note: My computer just locked up and I lost the description. Huitt was the initial aggressor but Minton was able to transition to full mount. Minton won via TKO at 1:29 of Round 1. My apologies to the fighters.

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Phil White vs. T.J. Barber (145)

White (5-0) fights out of Louisville MMA. Barber (8-5) fights out of ETown Beatdown. This fight is for the vacant Hardrock MMA Featherweight Title.

Round 1
Barber opens witha body kick, then a leg kick. White shoots in but Barber stuffs it. The two stand and Barber lands a hard body kick. Barber misess with a big overhand right and White pushes him against the cage. Barber lands a knee to White's head and reverses position. Barber lands a knee to the body and scores a double-leg takedown ending up on top in half-guard. Barber lands multiple head shots from the top position as he transitions to side control. Barber stands and motions for White to stand. Barber misses with a leg kick and White shoots in but Barber stuffs it and lands multple head shots followed by a knee to the body. Teh two change positions against the cage and White hip tosses Barber and manages to lock one of Barber's arms between his legs and landing short shots to Barber's head. White gets an inverted triangle from the top but Barber manages to pull his head out as the round ends.

An extremely close round, but I give a slight edge to Barber due to his control and pushing the fight.

PreView sees it 10-9 Barber.

Round 2
White comes in with a punch but Barber answers with a knee to the face. White gets Barber agsint the cage but Barber reverses, lands a knee followed by a punch and a head kick, then punch, then another head kick. White takes Barber down and Barber pulls guard, trying to tie up White's arms. White lands some shots from the top and Barber throws his legs up for a triangle but White gets out. Barber scrambles and manages to take top position in side control, landing shots from the top. White manages to pull guard but Barber lands more shots from the top. Barber alternates between body and head shots and White tries to land some shots from the bottom. As Barber tries to change position, White manages to grab his arm and as Barber scrambles, White hangs on enough to force the tap in an armbar from his side.

Phil White wins via tapout (armbar) at 2:29 of Round 2 to become the new Hardrock MMA Featherweight Champ.

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Steve Osmun vs. Brandon Howard (170)

Osmun (4-0) fights out of ETown Beatdown. Howard (9-7), fighting out of Huitt Fighting Systems, is the defending champ.

Round 1
Howard comes in with a hard right hook and clinches up, taking Osmun down. Osmun ends up in top position and lands a couple body shots when they hit the ground. Howard is preventing Osmun from posturing up. Osmun transitions to side control and lans a couple body shots. Osmun works for a keylock and starts to crank Howard's arm, forcing the tap.

Steve Osmun wins via tapout (keylock) at 1:34 in Round 1 to become the new Hardrock MMA Welterweight Champ.

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Lorenz Larkin vs. Derek Grace (Hvy)

Larkin (9-0) fights out of Louisville MMA. Grace (12-2), the defending Heavyweight Champ fights out of Scientific Street Fighting.

Round 1
Grace grazes Larkin with a leg kick to open the round. Grace misses with another leg kick and Larkin lands one of his own followed by another. Grace lands a hard leg kick and misses with a head kick but then lands another leg kick, then another. Both fighters are still testing their ranges, looking for an opening. Larkin lands a hard right hook followed by a straight left followed up with a body kick. Grace misses with another leg kick and then a left hook. Larkin lands a leg kick, then a hard left hook that stuns Grace and takes him down. Larkin rushes in and lands multiple shots to the head and body as the round expires.

PreView sees it 10-9 Larkin.

Round 2

Grace lands a stright left and tries to tie Larkin up but Larkin answers with a short right hook and two quick punches and the two separate. Grace tries to push Larkin against the cage again but Larkin spins and shakes him off. Grace lands a leg kick, then another and another as the two work their way around the cage. Larkin lands a hard left and then a leg kick. Grace answers with a leg kick and then a body kick followed by two more leg kicks. Larkin lands a hard outside leg kick and then comes in with a superman two-punch combo that pushes Grace back. Larkin comes lunging in with a two-punch combo but then backs off and Grace lands another leg kick. Grace lands another leg kick and Larkin pushes Grace against the cage as the round ends.

This was a pretty close round. Grace landed a number of leg kicks, but I think Larkin's aggression and more precise striking won him the round.

PreView sees it 10-9 Larkin.

Round 3
Grace lands a leg kick to open the round. He grazes Larkin with a head kick and follows it up with another leg kick. Larkin lands a light leg kick of his own and the two circle, Grace landing another leg kick. Larkin scores with an inside leg kick but Grace answers with a leg kick of his own. Larkin lunges in with a three punch combo that pushes Grace back but Grace comes in with leg kick then another head kick and he pushes Larkin against the cage. Grace lands a knee to the body and Larkin answes with a knee to Grace's leg. Grace lands another knee to the body, followed by another, and Larkin is still ocked up against the cage. larkin manages to sweep Grace and lands some leg kicks from the standing position. Larkin leans in to land three head shots and Grace tries to kick him off. Larkin lands more head shots as the round ends.

A tough round to call. Initially, I thought Grace would take it because of his persistent leg kicks but I think the late rally by Larkin put him ahead on the scorecards that round.

PreView sees it 10-9 Larkin.

Round 4
Grace opens with a leg kick but almost eats a big right hook from Larkin in the process. Larkin lands a two punch combo followed by a straight left but Grace ties him up to stop the shots. Larkin is warned for grabbing the cage and steps back slightly to land a knee to the body followed by a hard right hook left hook combo. Grace comes in with a kick but LOrakin shakes it off and lands more hooks that take Grace down. Larkin dives in and starts ground and pound and eventually moves to full mount, stopping landing shots. Larkin is again warned about grabbing the cage for position. larkins lands more head shots from full mount as the round expires.

Another solid round for Larkin.

PreView sees it 10-9 Larkin

Round 5
Grace opens with a leg kick, then another, then lands a high kick on Larkin's body. Grace pushes Larkin up against the cage and lands a knee to the body, followed by another and then another. Grace lands a couple short head shots, keeping Larkin against the cage. Larkin lands more short head and body shots and knees to the body. Larkin reverses position and lands a knee to Grace's body then scores a double leg taekdown. larkin has a dominant top position and he lands some head shots, trying to transition from half-guard to side control. Larkin drops a number of short head shots and body shots from the top position but Grace hangs on. Larkin continues to land head shots as the round expires.

Both fighters were clearly tired in this last round but both hung on. I think Larkin's control will ensure that he won this fifth and final round.

Lorenz Larkin wins via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) to become the new Hardrock MMA Heavyweight Champ.

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A good show - lot of exciting fights with good finishes and the fights that went the distance were solid match-ups. The next HardRock MMA event will be June 6th in Kings Mountain, KY. HardRock MMA will return to E-Town on September 12th.

Check back in the coming days for the post-event commentary.