The atmosphere for a Fight Hard MMA event is one like no other as hundreds of seats are filled with costless patrons eagerly awaiting an entertaining evening of amateur mixed martial arts. This night would be no different as we watched Michelle Pearce in dominating fashion secure a victory over Ronni Lawrence for the inaugural Ammy flyweight title. While the ladies and men we showcasing all their hard work on the canvas tonight was extra special as they were all fighting for a cause. In the month of October the world of sports is no stranger to the color of pink; in MMA it’s no different. Eight engaging fights witnessed by a triumphant crowd proved to be a victory for everyone in attendance. A victory for the cause that is breast cancer awareness. While the city is filled with the highs of a baseball playoffs and the lows of those who feel oppressed and outraged, camaraderie was found during a night of exciting fights for Fight Hard MMA.
Michelle Pearce used her powerful striking mixed with her impeccable strength to score an unanimous victory over Roni Lawrence. While Roni showed a great chin, she was not strong enough to control Michelle in the clinch or on the mat. The second round was better for Lawrence as both of them seemed to gas from the fury of the first round. When it was all said and done Pearce closed out the third and won the fight with an unanimous decision. Michelle showed great poise and ground worked mixed in with her hard hitting assault on her feet. It was too much for Ronni but the fight begged to go two more rounds.
A few of the fights early on were hit with a bit of controversy. In the debut fight for Cassandra Burton and Kira Franke, a few tugs to the hair slowed down the momentum of Burton’s attack. She was in full control during the first round and even more so after a few points were taken in the second. There was no need for a finish as Kira was unable to continue any further. Burton has talented hands so she should gain a nice amount of victories fast. In the fight between Susie Wyatt and Sheena Puma Star, there were issues with Puma’s clearance before the fight. Speaking to her after the event she said there was some miscommunication between her and the doctor on staff. That also seemed to be the case in her match as she was stopped in the first round by Wyatt. Not wanting to mix it up long on the feet with Puma, Susie was able to drag her down to the mat and secure her arm. She won the fight with stoppage even though it looked as Star still had a chance to get costless. This writer is hearing Sheena was invited to come back to fight for the inaugural Fight Hard strawweight Ammy title and this writer hope she accepts the offer.
Gabrielle Labbee could be next in line to face Pearce and it sounds like she is in. In her second go around with Shawna Tyler, she fought off her Jessica Andrade styled tenacity with leg kicks and good control of her hips. Labbee was better suited in all aspects of the match but still Tyler can be too much to handle with her persistence. If Gabrielle and Michelle match up next this will be an interesting fight. The major factor will be that Michelle will push the fight as much as Tyler, but her striking will be a lot more accurate and punishing. It was a nice set of grappling affairs that went the distance with Liz Turpin - Autumn Lamle and Shaun Scott and Kyle Kurtz. In the men’s fight Kurtz was out muscled by Scott while Lamlee found herself in top position most of the night on Turpin.
Todd Flores scored a very well put together submission on an over aggressive Jesse Farmer. It seemed as if Jesse had control of the striking advantage but one slip changed the course of the fight. The same cannot be said for Katherine Grasshopper in her match with Shawna Stevenson. After taking a vicious illegal knee to the face (amateur rules) Katherine returned to implore a myriad of striking including a wonder woman punch that helped set up the finish for her in the second round.
The house was ecstatic for the very entertaining regional amateur card and you better believe some of these ladies are headed for big things soon. While there may have not been any recognizable names to anyone unfamiliar with the regional women's mixed martial arts circuit it matters not on a night like this when we are all fighting for so much more.