Last Friday night, October 10, ICE (International Combat and Entertainment) held Hell Night at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Worcester, MA. Both amateur and professional fights from ICE’s Muay-Thai and MMA divisions were on the card. They did not disapoint.
Muay Thai Division
The highlight of the Muay Thai division was the 185lbs title fight. Anderson Jemont of Boston Muay Thai and Chichi Sommers of Team Gillett met int he cage. Both men fought hard and dispalyed some great stand-up. At three times during the fight, Jemont hit Sommers with an accidental groin strike, two of which caused the ref to call a time-out. Ultimately, Sommer’s reach advantage, conditioning and technique proved too much for Jemont. Sommers was declared the winner by unanimous decision. A great win for Team Gillet.
Other fights in the Muay Thai Division:
- Jake Nanini (Boston Muay Thai) vs. Austin Brown (Team Gillett)
Winner: Jake Nanini
- Romain Gaston (Boston Muay Thai) vs. Bernie Ogewe (Blazing Sun)
Winner: Romain Gaston
Amateur MMA Division
The standout fight in the Amateur MMA division, probably the most exciting fight of the night, was Espetepan Garcia of Team E.W.K.K. and Cris Sniger of Team Gillett. Both men pushed the pace the entire fight, demonstrating that they were able to hold their own not only standing but on the mat. The first two rounds saw a ground battle with plenty of reversals, submission attempts and ground and pound (however, the state of Massachusetts only allows body shots on the ground in an amateur fight). In round three, Garcia established mount and began working for an arm bar. Sniger demonstrated his ground game and refused to tap, even when it looked like his arm could not take any more pressure. It paid off, he escaped. In the end, it was a fight both men can be proud of. The judges declared Espetepan the winner by unanimous decision.
Other fights in the Amateur MMA Division:
- Dan Morin (McCoy’s Karate) vs. Nick Tzimas (MMA Training Center)
Winner: Nick Tzimas
- Jeff Britto (Ken-Sho-Ryu) vs. Andy Lampson (MMA Training Center)
Winner: Andy Lampson
- Ignatiuss Barreto (Ken-Sho-Ryu) vs. Mike Zichelle (MMA Training Center)
Winner: Mike Zichelle
Professional MMA Division
Of the three fights in the Professional MMA Division, Ron Howard of U.S. MMA vs. Bobby Alves of Team Gillett stands out. Alves asserted his dominance from the very beginning by demonstrating superior technique and never relenquishing control of the cage. At the start of the first round both fighters clinched up and began exchanging strikes. Alves established double underhooks and was able to maintain control of Howard’s body. In the end, Alves moved Howard toward the Team Gillet corner where he got the take down and established top possition with Howard pressed into the cage. Alves reigned punches down until the ref stopped the fight at one minute and 46 seconds into the first round. Bobby Alves was declared the winner by T.K.O.
Other fights in the Proffessional MMA Division:
Damien Trithes (Wai-Kru) vs. Peter Reverdo (Fall River, MA)
Winner: Damien Trithes
Fernando Reveira (Team E.W.K.K.) vs. John Downey (Team Gillett)
Winner: Fernando Reveira
Overall, the event went well and even featured guest appearances by Professional Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper and actors Corey Haim and Tony Todd. The schools present were well represented, particularly, Tim Gillet Mixed Martial Arts and MMA Training Center as both schools brought a large entourage of students and trainers to support their fighters from their corner of the cage.
The next ICE event is scheduled for November 29 at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA.