A Blog Post.
So, this is my first LIVE event. Yes, I’ve never been to a live MMA event, and this is my first one. I feel like I’ve been watching MMA forever though. I watch boxing, I watch Muay Thai once in a while, I watch grappling competitions when I can, but I’ve never been to a live MMA event.
I went to Dallas to check out LFA 62. The venue was The Bomb factory, located in Deep Ellum close to all the bars and night clubs on a Friday night. After about 9 p.m. Traffic gets Jacked.
I asked a few friends to accompany me to the event, but alas, no one was game. So I left work, went home, freshened up a bit, sprayed my self with a little spritz of Azzaro Chrome and drove to the area. I paid my $10 dollars for parking and grabbed my DSLR out of my truck, hoping that I could get some shots. When I got to the front of the line, the door guy asked me if I had a media pass, I said no, and he told me I couldn’t bring my camera in. So I hustled back to my car and grabbed my Moto G6.
I came back into the line, and I talked to a kid who really likes Jeeps. He likes Jeeps, and he hasnt been off work in 2 years, and he says he knows Austin Lingos Parents, and they told him to check the fight out.
So I go in and I realize that my phone is on about 25%, so I turn off the wifi, I turn off the bluetooth and I put it on battery saving mode. I check out the Tamale shop that was in the venue. I check out the local female talent that usually hang around fighting events, and they’re both up to par.😉 The tickets I bought were for standing room and I stand right at the front.
I realize that the affair is a very club like kinda deal. Music is being played, drinks are being slang, and the audience is filled with Fighters, douchebags, roid monkeys and nerds. And as nerd myself, I was tempted to take my phone out and break down what I see some of the fighters doing, but I restrained myself
Fights I saw on the prelims
Andrew Duarte vs Eric Gonzales – Full fight review
In the first round Andrew Duarte rocks Eric Gonzales with a right, and then presses him up against the cage and tries to end it. I can’t believe that Gonzales survived that storm. Gonzales wrestled and fought hard in round 2 and 3 trying to make up for round 1, but Duarte wins by Split decision.
Duarte’s uncle was behind me while I was watching, and the chants of “Get em Nephew” seem to give Gonzales the will to prove his opponent’s uncle wrong. Gonzales has a long road to go, but, for coming back, and going the distance in a fight that could have been ended, he is unbroken
Don Doyle vs Jacob Charles – Full fight
Jacob Charles got out wrestled. He has a long way to go. Don Doyle did the wrestling. Doyle wins by Unanimous decison
Charles was throwing long looping punches with no set up. He was doing dangerous stuff. Doyle decided to neutralize him in this fight. Doyle has the bigger upside, but Charles looks to have good physical tools
Destiny Oldenkamp vs Amber Medina – full fight
Oldenkamp was able to get the better of Medina on the ground. There was a lot of scrambling and bucking, and my hips hurt just thinking about it now. Oldenkamp was able get in full mount and rain down punches.🚩 Oldenkamp wins by TKO
Medina was a very game fighter. She was probably a little too aggressive on the ground, and she was looking to be offensive without shoring up her defensive position. it cost her this fight, but I have a feeling she’ll be back.
The pros came next…
Elijah Johns vs Mike Martinez – Full fight
Elijah Johns wins! Flawless victory – Almost a fatality. Fortis striking was on display in this one, with Johns rocking Martinez early. Johns then put his knees to work and kneed Martinez into oblivion from the clinch. Johns wins by TKO
I’m glad I got to saw this one live, because Elijah Johns will be back. He will face tougher opponents and he will be in some big fights. This was a total mismatch
Victor Altamirano vs Marquis Smith – Full fight
Altamirano is quick, wild and dynamic. He caught smith with a shot to the liver and ended the fight quickly. Altamirano wins by TKO
Altamirano looks very exciting. There are so many questions – What we know is, he has a wide assortment of strikes, and his accuracy is very good. “El Magnifico” is what they call him
End of the Prelims….
Check out the rest of the card here!
They took a ten minute break before the main card and I grabbed an $11 beer