Spartan Fighting Championship 8 - The Recap

Eastern Kentucky was awakened to the MMA scene Saturday night in a big way when Terry Callihan and Spartan Fighting Championship hosted SFC -8 Onslaught. The town of Ashland is part of a tri-state border with Ohio and West Virginia. All three states and other were well represented when this fight card kicked off. Spartan Fighting Championship opened up and gave us full access during the event. Team Bluegrass member Dave Stevens was cageside for all the action and Bluegrass MMA photographer Brian Buelterman was all over the place trying to get pictures of the non stop action. 

The fight card speaks for itself. Callihan matched up some great local talent with great fighters from across the eastern part of the United States. The main attraction of course was local professional fighter and Spartan veteran Jason Butcher. The real draw for us however, was the amount of title fights that were on display. Spartan is filling its roster with top notch fighters and great executioners of MMA. Eric Jarvis is an up and coming star in the MMA scene and he did not disappoint. Neither did "Wild" Bill Conley from UNICA MMA in Morehead. He captured the 145 pound SFC belt in his seventh outing making it his seventh victory as an amateur. It is so hard to pick out awards from the show and we want to tell all the fighters that the will to compete makes them all winners. However, here is what we saw as the cream of the crop Saturday night.

Submission of the Night -
We have a tie for this honor. The first of the two is based on the talent of the fighters. 

•  Jason Butcher's arm bar that ended the main event rather quickly. Butcher is very technically sound in his ground game and we know he can pack a heavy fist. Fighting Lamont Stafford was not an easy task as he was undefeated as a professional just as Butcher was. His record quickly changed after a few attempts at a submission and then the devastating arm bar.

• The second is based on all heart. Bill Conley by all accounts was in bad shape during his fight against Jared Walters. In the 2nd round though Conley was able to work into a triangle choke that ended the fight and secured his spot as Spartan Champion. Hats off to both Butcher and Conley.

Fight of the Night -

Hands down, no questions asked the FON honors go to Casey Jones/ Joey Donohew. Warriors in the cage they battled all the way through this fight. The fans were on their feet and it was an intense back & forth. Bloodied and battered both men were on top of their game. Jones walks away with the victory but there were no losers in this bout. We are hoping for an instant rematch and this was an instant classic.

Knockout of the Night-

What better way to start off the night than with a knockout. In the opening contest Evan Teeters delivers the goods as he gets a referee stoppage and TKO victory against Britain Wells

Here are the results as we know them. If you are reading this and see something that needs to be corrected by all means let us know:

Evan Teeters  def. Britain Wells- Referee stoppage Round 1

Chris Bautista def. Greg Popley - 2nd Round Submission (Guillotine choke)

Stephen Artoff def. David Crow - 2nd Round Submission (Guillotine choke)

Cody Anderson def. Jermain Thornton - Unanimous Decision

Chris Brown def. Todd Bolin - Unanimous Decision

Michael Seals def. Duran Dant - 1st Round Submission (standing Guillotine)

Casey Jones def. Joey Donohew - Unanimous Decision

James Dishong def. Brady King - Referee Stoppage

Bill Conley def. Jared Walters - 2nd Round Submission (Triangle choke)

Chris Farrington def. Micheal Cockerham - Unanimous Decision

Eric Jarvis def. Chris Hale, Unanimous Decision

Cornelius Godfrey def. Roger Hahn - 1st Round Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Jason Butcher def. Lamont Stafford - 1st Round Submission (Armbar)

We have to thank Terry Callihan and all of the people at Spartan Fighting. They are a true class act and are in this business for the right reasons. Much like the other companies we cover Terry and crew are looking out for the fighters but most importantly the fans. This sport is growing at such a rapid pace and its people like Terry Callihan, Parag Patel, Brandon Higdon and Brandon Newsome who will secure our state's good name with the heart & soul they pour into these events.. When thousands of people come to Ashland to watch a MMA event it says something about your product. The message was sent Saturday night, Spartan Fighting is here to stay. Terry Callihan told Bluegrass MMA " I am very pleased with the event, it went very well. We lived up to our motto. Opportunities were given and champions were made." Thank you Terry and crew from all of us at BluegrassMMA.com.