Recap and Review - Hard Rock 40

It's already another fight week here in Kentucky. Before we get to that though we need to finish up on the coverage for Hard Rock MMA 40. Fat Steve and I were late to the event  and we missed the first 3 fight so I can' t really say much about those, but I can tell you about the 17 other fights I watched. What we witnessed at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center was amazing. The crowd was great, the venue was nice and the fighters were giving it all they had. Even Michael Gay made it out of the first round.

One of the highlights of the evening was the group of fighters and fans representing Baddog MMA. The Fairdale based gym had 8 fighters on the card and went a very impressive 6-2 on the evening. Their presence was felt as the barking at times made it hard for Fat Steve to hear himself talk to do the commentary. The atmosphere was amazing and it really cements my position that you really have to experience MMA at this level live and in person. With the utmost respect for the other events I've been to I have to say this was the best event I've attended all year. Hard Rock MMA returns on October 1st in Elizabethtown for Hard Rock MMA 41. Be sure you check out http://www.hardrockfight.com for more information.

Submission of the Night

Dusty Stengel- Baddog MMA

It took only 47 seconds for Dusty to even up his record and he did it with a very impressive heel hook. It says something when Fat Steve comments on your jiu jitsu skills and he liked what he saw out of Stengel. When you get to see a heel hook finish it will usually make the highlight reel.

Knockout of the Night

Josh "The Pitbull" Blanchard - Baddog MMA

Improving to 3-0 as a professional the hometown hero looked dominant in his performance against Chad Deener of E-Town Beatdown. Blanchard got Deener down and used his center of gravity to impose his will. He got the knockout and kept his undefeated record in tact.

Fight of the Night

Cody Martin vs Mike Hardin

This fight was non-stop action for nine minutes. Both of these athletes left it all in the cage and let their hands do the talking in a slug fest. A couple of take downs and submission attempts aside this fight was played out in the stand-up game. Both men were tough as nails and refused to be finished. A very impressive fight all around with Cody Martin taking the unanimous decision.