Downtown Showdown 2 Results: Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts Impresses Yet Again

The house was packed Friday night, Jan. 6, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis for a night full of exciting fights that took place during Downtown Showdown 2, an event put on by Driller Promotions and the Sterling Entertainment Group.

Friday night’s fights saw an upgrade in venues, as they took place in one of the Hyatt’s ballrooms. The lighting of the venue was fantastic, and it was easy for everyone to see the action.

The new venue combined with the highly energetic crowed made for an extremely exciting night that would have entertained any fight fan.

Read on to see how all of the fighters fared.

Thanks to Sandy Hackenmueller of Fight to Finish Photography for the great photos!

Jesse Wannemacher vs. Marcus Young

Round 1

The first fight of the night was between Jesse Wannamacher and Marcus Young. Wannemacher came out strong and landed a few good shots before a great takedown from Young.

Once the two were on the canvas, Young found himself in a guillotine choke from Wannemacher, but he was able to fight his way out of it. Young worked from Wannemacher’s guard and tried to do some ground and pound.

Towards the end of the round, Jesse tried for a Kimura, but was stopped by the bell.

Round 2

The second round started out with Wannemacher landing a big right shot before being taken down by Young.

Once there, Wannemacher immediately started working his ground game, first trying for a guillotine and then for a triangle. While Young was trying to fight the triangle choke, Wannemacher landed a big elbow.

From there, Wannemacher rolled into a full mounted triangle and began to pound on Young until the referee stopped the fight.

Official Result: Jesse Wannemacher at 1:42 of the second round, referee stoppage (strikes)

Jim Clark vs. Brandon Bell

Round 1

This was a very fast-paced fight. Both fighters came out throwing some big shots before they went to the mat.

Once there, Bell was able to take Clark’s back and quickly got him in a body triangle. Bell was raining down some big shots on Clark, who was still able to defend himself.

But then, Clark was able to flatten Bell out and drop some huge bombs before the referee stopped the fight, as Clark was unable to defend himself.

Official Result: Bell at 1:16 of the first round referee stoppage (strikes)

John Melina vs. Marsell McCullough

Round 1

McCullough came out really strong at the beginning of this fight. After the strong start, McCullough and Melina circled each other for a moment or two before McCullough began to move forward again.

Melina landed a huge shot as McCullough came at him, but McCullough seemed totally unfazed by it. Both fighters continued to go after each other with everything they had until the end of the first round.

At the end of the first, each fighter looked dead tired.

Round 2

Both fighters came out swinging once again at the beginning of the second round. Melina got the takedown, but he landed in Marsell’s guillotine. The guillotine looked solid, but Melina seemed unfazed by it and continued to hammer on Melina’s body.

Eventually, Marsell gave up the guillotine, and Melina was able to roll him and get on top. Melina landed a pretty big shot to the back of Marsell’s head, but the ref didn’t catch it. After a while, the fighters were stood up.

The fight turned into a slug-fest at this point before going back to the ground, where Melina was able to mount Marsell and rain down some punches before getting Marsell in a guillotine, which made Marsell tap.

Official Result: Melina at 2:58 of the second round due to submission (guillotine choke)

Mitch Field vs. Kyle Waldvogel

Round 1

Waldvogel started this fight off by going for a takedown right away, but Field was able to defend and ended up taking Waldvogel to the ground.

Field stood up pretty quickly and tried landing some big shots on Waldvogel. Field tried unsuccessfully to pass Waldvogel’s guard for a while before the ref stood both fighters up.

Field quickly scored another big takedown, but was once again unable to do much with it.

Round 2

The second round went a lot like the first. Both fighters threw a few shots before Field was once again able to get the takedown.

Once there, Field tried for some ground and pound, and both fighters jockeyed for position. At one point, Field was able to get Waldvogel’s back, but was unable to do anything with it.

After a bit, Field had Waldvogel bloodied from some great ground and pound, and it wasn’t long before the referee stopped the fight.

Official Result: Field at 2:45 of the second round due to referee stoppage (strikes)

Marcel Anderson vs. John Castaneda

Round 1

The first round of this fight wasn’t too exciting. Both fighters spent a lot of time feeling each other out. Castaneda was able to get a takedown, but didn’t do much with it.

Anderson was able to showcase some great counter striking in the first round and was able to stop Castaneda almost anytime he moved in.

Round 2

The second round of this fight got a lot more entertaining. Anderson continued to showcase some great counter striking whenever Castaneda moved in.

Several times during the round, Anderson caught Castaneda’s leg kicks and landed come great shots as a result.

Castaneda was eventually able to get Anderson to the ground, but he was unable to do much with it. The second round ended with Anderson on top of Castaneda in side control.

Round 3

Castaneda started the third round with a takedown and ended up in Anderson’s guard. Castaneda was able to land some good shots before moving into full mount.

From there, Castaneda landed several huge hits before punishing Anderson until the ref came in to stop the fight.

Official result: Castaneda at 1:42 of the third round due to referee stoppage (strikes)

Craig Early (4-5) vs. Brandon Buchholz (6-6): 135 Pounds

The pro fights got underway at this point, with the final bout of the trilogy between bantamweights Craig Early and Brandon Buchholz.

Round 1

Buchholz comes out of his corner and tries to touch gloves, but Early refuses and moves in to deliver a body kick. Buchholz absorbed it and walked through some strikes before scoring a big takedown right in his corner into side control.

Early flipped things around with a beautiful sweep into side control, but Buchholz pulled it into guard and slapped on a triangle. This is where the majority of the round stayed, as Buchholz attempted to secure the triangle, but Early would not allow it. Both fighters did a bit of damage from this position, with Early even opening up a gash on Buchholz's head with an elbow.

Buchholz controlled the round, though, and after holding the triangle for probably three or more minutes, got out of the gate with a 10-9 round in the first.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Buchholz

Round 2

Both fighters looked tired in the second round after an exhausting battle for positioning with the triangle in the first.

Early tried another body kick, but Buchholz grabbed the leg and used it to get a takedown right in front of his corner again. Early answered again with a sweep and ended up on top of Buchholz. Buchholz worked hard off his back, looking for an arm bar from the bottom and then into another attempted triangle. Buchholz attempted to roll away but left open the opportunity for Early to take his back. 

He wasn't able to keep the back long, though, as Buchholz escaped and shot up with a takedown of his own. Early landed a few elbows from the bottom, but stayed on his back. Buchholz moved into side control and landed a few knees to the body from the top as they finished the second round.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Buchholz (20-18 Buchholz)

Round 3

Buchholz looked tired going into the third after expelling a lot of energy in the first round, but almost immediately achieved yet another double-leg takedown right in his corner. Like we had seen throughout the fight, elbows from the bottom from Early worked to land some damage on Buchholz, but the positioning just was not there for him to do much more than that.

Buchholz smashed Early from the top with his biggest punches of the fight, forcing Early to begin looking for a triangle from the bottom, which allowed Buchholz to slip into side control and then into mount.

Another sweep from the bottom, but Buchholz stopped him this time, catching him with some big punches in the process. Early finally swept him and ended up in Buchholz’s guard.

Buchholz immediately began looking for another triangle from the bottom, but Early caught him with two punches. As the clock ticked down, it began to look more and more like Early was going to have the finish the fight to earn a win.

Early explodes with punches, but Buchholz covers up. The two fighters got to their feet one more time before Early slammed Buchholz once before the final bell.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Early (29-28 Buchholz)

Official result: 29-28 Brandon Buchholz (split decision)

Damion Hill (3-0) vs. Nick Compton (3-1): 155 Pounds

Round 1

High-paced action early with kicks from each man started the fight before Nick Compton grabs Damion Hill and pushes him into the cage, looking for the takedown. Compton worked as Hill used great leverage to stay on his feet, finally tripping him down into half-guard. Fists flew from Compton, but Hill got back to his feet.

The fight moved back over toward the fence, as Hill used the cage to defend the takedown, but Compton is relentless and continues to work for it. Finally, the referee breaks it up after an accidental knee to the groin from Compton.

Hill bounces back out of the break, using very shifty movement with his feet, almost taunting in a way, and lured Compton in to a few punches. Compton shot in for a takedown, but Hill used his own momentum against him and ended up on top.

Compton worked a triangle off his back, but Hill escaped and ended up on top of him. Compton grabbed ahold of a leg, but was unable to secure anything as the first round came to an end.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Hill

Round 2

Compton sported a small cut above his lip to start the second round.

Compton appears to be the far more disciplined fighter, but Hill’s unpredictability seemed to be catch him off guard as Hill landed a few body kicks and punches.

After dominating the standup so far in the fight, Hill surprisingly shot for a takedown and gets it, likely again catching Compton off guard, and got his opponent to the ground. Compton appeared to have a guillotine choke from the bottom, but Hill appears to be OK, as he gives the thumbs up to his corner

Compton goes over the top and looks for a triangle, even securing Hill’s leg to turn him over. After a hard-fought struggle, Hill finally escaped and ended up on top, but Compton quickly swept him and began looking to take his back. Hill turtled up to avoid Compton from putting in the hooks as the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Compton (19-19)

Round 3

Both fighters look to be noticeably tired going into the third round.

Hill came out throwing leg kicks, but caught Compton in the groin with a big kick, and the referee had to pause the fight for the second time due to an accidental shot to the groin.

A busted takedown attempt from Compton ended with Hill on top. Compton worked actively off his back again for a guillotine from a sitting position, but can’t seem to get it. Hill finally ends up in side control, but Compton swept him again and looked for yet another guillotine, but Hill just kept escaping.

The referee finally stands them up with only moments to go. Compton moves in, but gets tagged by a left hand from Hill. A nice flurry of punches from both men ends this entertaining fight.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Compton (29-28 Compton)

Official Result: Damion Hill by split decision, 29-28

Jon Barker (5-2) vs. Tony Belvedere (12-5): 125 Pounds

The flyweight division was on display as two of the top up-and-coming 125-pounders from the area took center stage in the semi-main event. A highly energized crowd full of Tony Belvedere's friends and family erupted for their fighter as he came to the cage and supported him fully throughout the contest.

Round 1

The first round was very much a feeling-out process for the first half, as both Barker and Belvedere seemed hesitant to engage too much.

After a Thai clinch from saw big knees exchanged between the fighters, Belvedere finally landed a nice elbow and followed it up with a big punch against the cage that seemed to have Barker in trouble. Barker bounced back, though, and ended the round with a couple nice punches of his own.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Belvedere

Round 2

Barker and Belvedere seemed much more willing to exchange in the second than they were the first, as both men landed a couple nice jabs early.

It was Belvedere who exploited Barker's overconfidence, though, as he absolutely rocked Barker with a big shot that sent him face-first to the mat. Fans exploded with cheers as Belvedere jumped over his fallen opponent and ran to the opposite side of the cage in celebration.

However, the celebration was premature, as the referee did not stop the fight! 

A stunned Belvedere ran back over to the still-wobbly Barker and smashed him again with more punches. Barker was able to regain his composure, though, and looked for a takedown. Still rocked, he was unable to secure the takedown and ended up on his back, but had to be happy that he was able to survive an extremely near knockout. 

Belvedere worked and eventually took Barker's back, where he looked for a rear-naked choke, but Barker slithers out, eventually ending up on top. 

Firing down with ferocity, Barker accidentally landed a knee to a downed Belvedere, causing the referee to call a momentary stop to the bout and take a point from Barker with only seconds remaining in the second round.  

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-8 Belvedere [point taken by referee] (20-18 Belvedere)

Round 3

After the point was taken by the referee, Barker desperately needed to look for a finish in the third.

A takedown attempt from Barker early in the round led to Belvedere overpowering him and ending up on top. The fight then slid over toward the cage, giving Belvedere an even better chance to do damage.

Punches from Belvedere continued an impressive performance, as Barker simply did not have enough room to escape against the cage.

Not a lot of damage in the third round, but Belvedere's control let him run away with the round and the fight, as Barker was unable to do much of anything from the bottom. 

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Belvedere (30-26 Belvedere)

Official result: Unanimous decision victory (30-25, 30-26, 30-26) for “Tombstone” Tony Belvedere

Anna Barone (2-1) vs. Kaitlin Young (6-5): 143 Pounds

The main event featured one of the top Minnesota female fighters in Kaitlin Young as she welcomed a neighbor from the North, Canadian fighter Anna Barone. 

This bout was originally scheduled to take place at 140 pounds, but was later reset to 143 pounds. On weigh-in day, Young was on target, but Barone was unable to cut the weight, as she had been battling an illness and was dehydrated in previous weeks from an antibiotic medication. Barone weighed in at 147.5 pounds.

Round 1

A determined Kaitlin Young shot out of her corner early with numerous body kicks that seemed to catch her opponent off guard. Barone rushed in and grabbed her, but Young answered by pushing Barone against the cage before delivering countless knees to the body.

Young continued delivering kick after kick to the body, and Barone seemed to have no answer for it.

Barone landed her biggest shot of the round early, as she fired out of a tough situation against the fence where Young was damaging her with elbows with an elbow of her own.

Another kick from Young is followed by a straight jab to the face. Barone answered with a few punches, but Young continued to pummel her body with kicks between tagging her face with jabs.

As the fighters circled the cage, it was noticed that Barone had a decent-sized cut above her right eye.

Barone lands a couple punches, but Young answers right back with another huge body kick as the round comes to an end.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Young

Between rounds, the cage-side doctor examined the cut above Barone’s eye. She could be heard saying, "I'm fine," but the doctor was not happy with how it looked. As Barone's corner pleaded with him to allow the fight to continue, he finally caves and says he’ll give it one more round.

Barone’s corner is not happy about this even being a debate at this point, as the cut does not appear to be causing her to lose much blood. 

Round 2

Knowing that her time to finish the fight needed to come quickly, Barone started things off strong with a nice overhand right to start the second round. Young answered with a straight jab that landed right on the money.

After battering her opponent with body kicks in the first round, Young now moved on to throwing violent leg kicks. It took just a few before Barone appears to be noticeably hurt.

Desperate, Barone swings and lands a big right hand, temporarily causing Young to slow down on throwing the kicks to the body and lead left leg.

Barone was unable to capitalize, though, as Young went back to the leg kicks. Barone's mobility seemed to be affected as she nearly crumbled with each one. After being cranked on with countless leg kicks, Barone finally caught one and moves in for the takedown, but was unable to bring Young to the mat.

A big elbow from Young is the end of the second round.

Bleacher Report scorecard: 10-9 Young (20-18 Young)

As he said he would, the cage-side doctor ended the fight between rounds.

Official Result: Young by TKO (doctor's stoppage: cut) after the second round

An impressive, dominant performance from Kaitlin Young capped off a highly entertaining night of fights from Minneapolis.