Looking at the card as it started to take shape I was very excited about this event. Hard Rock MMA assembled some of the state's best talent and was able to showcase it all in three hours. The Eagle Lake Convention Center was packed with people from all over the Commonwealth ready for some good MMA action. Good MMA action is just what they got as this event ranks near the top of any event I have been to.
What sticks out about Hard Rock MMA is that it is not an over the top production. No extra bells and whistles. It is a show that puts the primary focus on the athletes competing. Great gyms were represented on this night as fighters from Reaction MMA, Georgetown MMA, Nice Guy Submission Fighting, AFS from Richmond just to name a few. Most of the guys entering the cage looked well prepared for battle. Hard Rock has a reputation for being a strong company and with 38 events in the books I don't see them slowing down for anyone anytime soon.
I guess that only leaves my picks for notable performances of the evening. It seems like each show I go to makes it harder and harder to decide. That being said much respect to all of those who let the cage door slam behind them and left it all out there on the mat.
Knockout of the Night - Matt Quinn
It took Matt Quinn 1:36 to pull off a legit knockout of Buster Mullins. Quinn dominated most of the fight and I thought he was going to be able to submit Mullins but as the action broke out near the entrance to the cage Quinn used his heavy hands to finish the fight. Great sportsmanship after the fight as well between both guys.
Submission of the Night - Tyler Voth
In the main event a battle of unbeatens broke out between Tyler Voth and Scott Stevens. There may have been more flashy submissions on this night but there was none that were as surprising Stevens represents Nice Guy Submission Fighting out of Owensboro. Those guys are known for bone snapping submissions. Voth had to be the favorite coming in at 6-0 representing Team AFS out of Richmond. The first round was controlled by Voth and it took just over 2 minutes of combat in the second round to finish the fight with a guillotine. Congrats to Tyler Voth, the new Hard Rock MMA Featherweight Champion.
Fight of the Night
Derik Byrd vs Tim Chamberlain
A war ensued for the vacant Hard Rock MMA Bantamweight Title. Derik Byrd was tough as nails in this fight but Chamberlain showed a great deal of heart hanging on as long as he did. Byrd was brutal with kicks and knees. Chamberlain took a whole lot of damage in this title fight. Chamberlain seemed to be able to take Byrd down but could never get any offense together to amount to anything. The crowd was into the fight and it was just a good exhibition of two young men battling in the cage. Our hats go off to both men and wish them the best of luck. Byrd has big shoes to fill as he won the title by way of Joe Maiani vacating his title to test his skill at the professional level.
Overall this was one of the most exciting and fun shows to cover. A great crowd was on hand to witness new champions being crowned and familiar faces taking the cage for action. Brandon "HardRock" Higdon said " One of the most enjoyable and exciting nights of fights in the history of Hard Rock MMA". I have to say that Bluegrass MMA agrees. Hard Rock MMA returns Saturday August 13th to the Slone Convention Center in Bowling Green.
