WFFMMA IS NOW 2 FOR 2

April 24, 2010: Ava Amphitheater was once again host to what is quickly becoming known as one of Arizona’s most elite mixed martial arts organizations, the World Fighting Federation, where their second fighting event, “Fight for the Belt” hosted an exciting display of athleticism and healthy competition. Since their premier show on October 3, 2009, where they impressed more than 2,000 fight fans, the amphitheater’s seating of approximately 5,000 was filled almost as quickly as it was announced to be open.
 
“Fight for the Belt” held a fight card designed by WFF co-founder Thom Ortiz, featuring nine professional bouts and three amateur match ups.  A special appearance was made by UFC heavyweight contender, Cain Velasquez, and both Strikeforce’s KJ Noons and Bellator’s Joe Duarte were present, coaching fighters during the event. 
 
A win from a local Tucsonan included heavyweight Alex Moore, from Undisputed Gym, who defeated Mesa’s Sione Manako by unanimous decision.  Another Tucson unanimous decision winner was Boxing Inc.’s 145 lb. Nick Piedmont, who agreed to fight at a catch weight of 150 lbs. against another Tucsonan, 6th Street Gym’s Clinton Shuler, demonstrating that good conditioning and being both educated and well-rounded prove vital in fighting performance. 
 
Both 145 lb. Anthony Birchak, of 6th Street, and 170 lb. Corey Edwards, of Apex, avenged their October 2009 losses by submitting their opponents, Somerton’s Gio Arvizu and Jose Diaz, by 1st round armbar and triangle chokes, respectively.
 
Chris Remsen, 155 lbs. from AZ Combat Sports in Tempe, did not disappoint with his 2nd round TKO victory over Casa Grande’s Jeff Fletcher, and October’s WFF Fight of the Night winner, 135 lb. Nate Vorel of Boxing Inc., further validated the depth of his talent by attaining a bloody 1st round TKO victory over Chandler’s Jason Thompson, from Spartan Combat Gym.
 
In the third fight of the evening, split decision winner, 170 lb. Andrew “The Golden Boy” Perez, of Apex, wanted to make it known that his win over Phoenix’s Sean Scott, of Lion’s Den Gym, “is a big thank you to all who made me feel like I could never fight. I am proving you all wrong,” stating that the negativity motivated him to push past any pain, allowing him to pull through both in this fight and in this sport.
 
Always a crowd favorite, Joey “Boom Boom” Rivera, 170 lbs. from Apex, who was featured as the co-main event, got his opportunity at a title fight against Casa Grande’s RJ Gamez, and walked away easily with the belt around his waist after securing a submission win by rear naked choke at 0:25 in the 1st round.  Rivera stated winning the belt feels, “Great,” and he wanted, “to thank Apex, my lady, Nicole, for putting up with me, and the WFF.”  Upon questioning regarding if this quick victory was all a part of his game plan, he and his corner man both responded by saying, “This was my exact game plan.  It was exactly what my coaches and I were working on in the locker room.  This is all thanks to my team getting me toward this win.”
 
Creating possibly the largest crowd uproar of the night, heavyweight Estevez Jones, of Lee’s Boxing Gym in Sierra Vista, defeated the recently named “Tucson’s Local MMA Hero,” George “The Brown Bomber” Castro, of Boxing Inc., by seizing a straight right KO in 1:40 in the 1st round, earning himself the belt.  Jones, always humble, stated that the win felt, “great” and “wonderful,” and that though he did not follow his exact game plan, stated that he “was so overwhelmed with adrenaline but overall [he was] still happy with how it went.” Castro, who drew in the largest crowd, however, will always have his fans to back him up as he is sure to redeem himself in the near future. 
 
It is no secret that WFF founders Al Fuentes and Thom Ortiz have set the bar high for Arizona MMA promotions, and the future for our local fighters can only get better from here.  For more information on WFF events, fighters, etc. go to WFFMMA.com.