Downtown Showdown 3 Results: Veal Outlasts Buck, Andre Tieva Wins Pro Debut

Driller Promotions Downtown Showdown III took place on Saturday night (March 3) from the Hyatt in downtown Minneapolis, MN.

The fight card featured a total of 12 professional and amateur bouts including the main event between two of the area’s top featherweights in veterans Matt Veal and Courtney Buck.

The energy in the building was astounding as the hometown favorite, Buck, walked to the cage.

However, Canadian Matt Veal traveled well and his friends and family members helped cheer him onto an impressive, one-sided decision victory.

It was an interesting night of fights with quite a few upsets, so let’s get right into the fight recaps and official results. 

Photos thanks to Sandy Hackenmueller of Fight to Finish Photography and Drew Carlson of Drew Carlson Photography. 

James Clark (5-3) vs John Melina (1-1)—180 Pounds

Two very different body shapes took to the cage to start off the evening as the short but powerful James Clark battled the long and lanky John Melina.

Both men weighed in at 145 pounds, but it was an interesting contrast in styles.

Round 1

Jim Clark immediately shot for a double and took down Melina who took some punches but scooted back up to his feet.

Clark attempted a standing guillotine choke with his back against the fence, but Melina used his height to his advantage as Clark couldn’t get the leverage he needed.

Melina finally broke free and even momentarily took Clark’s back, but ended up on his back in guard.

Clark passed into half-guard and began raining down punches, most of which were missing, but a few landed pretty solidly.

Melina looked to break loose and got up to his knees, but was taking quite a bit of damage as Clark laid over his back to end the first round.

Bleacher Report Unofficial Scoring: 10-9 Clark

Round 2

Melina came out throwing kicks this round, but was unable to land and Clark took him to the ground again with another double leg takedown.

Melina ended up on top of the scramble for a moment, but Clark maneuvered through it and ended up on Melina’s back.

Clark landed big punches as Melina scrambled to break free. The referee threatened to stop the fight and Melina flipped over onto his back, allowing Clark to mount him.

Melina desperately struggled to break free, but Clark did some serious damage with punches before the fight was finally stopped.

Official result: James Clark defeats John Melina by TKO (punches) at 1:47 in the second round.

Kevin Rush (1-1) vs Corwin Nichols (2-0)—170 Pounds

Round 1

Corwin Nichols started things with a nice double leg takedown, moving right into side control against Kevin Rush.

Rush tried to hold his head down as Nichols worked to break free. The two fighters struggled back and forth with this position for quite some time before Rush finally got back to his feet, having not taken much damage.

A few moments later, Nichols grabbed onto his opponent and delivered a huge slam.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Nichols moved right into mount and applied a beautiful arm-triangle choke, which forced the referee to stop the bout shortly thereafter.

Official result: Corwin Nichols defeats Kevin Rush by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:10 in the first round.

Zac Paletta (4-0) vs Randy Lene (5-2)—135 Pounds

Round 1

Zac Paletta started things looking for some takedowns and wild punches, but Randy Lene didn’t let anything connect.

Paletta finally got close enough and shot the double leg, bringing Lene to the ground with it just seconds later.

Paletta attempted to take Lene’s back, but Lene countered and ended up on top in Paletta’s guard. He threw a few punches here and there, but not enough to decisively win the round.

There wasn’t much damage done in this round at all and it could be interesting to see how it’s scored on the official cards. Paletta got the takedown, but spent most of the round on his back.

Bleacher Report unofficial scoring: 10-9 Lene

Round 2

Paletta started things off again throwing some wild kicks that didn’t really come anywhere near landing.

He seemed very content to move around the cage without engaging much, but Lene didn’t seem to want to run him down either.

Paletta finally shot in and got another takedown—much like he did in the first round—ending up on top again in Lene’s guard.

Paletta tried to land punches, but Lene’s striking defense off the back seemed to be pretty good.

With Paletta not landing much, the referee stood the fight up with just seconds remaining in the round.

Lene threw a punch, but Paletta took the fight to the ground right away again before the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial scoring: 10-9 Paletta (19-19 overall)

Round 3

Lene started the round off going for a leg kick, but Paletta quickly countered by taking him to the ground. Lene saw it coming, though, and slapped on a guillotine choke which Paletta couldn’t escape. He eventually tapped out, declaring Lene as the winner.

Official result: Randy Lene defeats Zac Paletta by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:23 in the third round.

Note: Paletta is believed to have separated his shoulder in the scramble at the end of the bout, which may have played a part in him tapping out.

Branden Bell (5-3) vs Cameron Gilliam (3-1)—170 Pounds

Round 1

Branden Bell tried to start things off slow and methodical by throwing a leg kick, but Gilliam stunned him with a big right counter.

As Gilliam moved in to follow up, Bell grabbed him in a double underhook and began controlling him against the cage.

Bell got the Muay Thai clinch and really controlled Gilliam’s body, but didn’t do much damage with it.

Gilliam finally got the takedown against the cage. Bell worked the rubber guard and Gilliam wasn’t able to do much with the position on the ground as the round ended.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Bell

Round 2

Another quick Muay Thai clinch from Bell, but this time he landed a few punches and even used the position to Gilliam.

Gilliam eventually worked and ended up on top in Bell’s guard. He landed some nice shots to the body and proceeded took Bell’s back.

Bell flipped over, but Gilliam ended up in mount and landed some nice punches until the round came to and end.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Gilliam (19-19 overall)

Round 3

Bell looked to land some big punches early, but Gilliam grabbed a hold of him and took him down against the cage in half guard.

Bell tried to defend with the rubber guard again, but Gilliam worked through it and landed some strikes.

Bell countered with a beautiful sweep and nearly got a rear naked choke, but Gilliam flipped it over again and ended up on top, landing punches as the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Gilliam (29-28 Gilliam overall)

Official score: Cameron Gilliam defeats Branden Bell by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Mitch Field (3-1) vs John Castaneda (7-1)—155 Pounds (title Fight)

Driller Promotions' amateur lightweight champion John Castaneda defended his title for the second time on Saturday night against the very formidable Mitch Field.

Round 1

Castaneda caught a leg kick from Field and he shot in for a takedown, but Field scouted it and was able to stay on his feet.

Field pushed Castaneda against the fence where he worked very hard for a takedown, but the champion’s takedown defense was working well.

That is until Field lifted him straight up off the mat and slammed him down in the center of the cage.

Castaneda worked off his back and eventually moved up against the cage where he tried to wall-walk back up to his feet, but Field kept him down.

Field landed punches from the top as the round came to an end.

An impressive round from the challenger.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Field

Round 2

Field started with another big slam on the champion, right near the cage. Castaneda tried to stand up, but that allowed Field to take his back.

Castaneda got back to his feet as Field was unable to put in the hooks, but Field lifted him up and dropped him next to the cage again.

Without Field landing much damage from the top, Castaneda moved back to his feet once again and finally broke free.

Castaneda started getting the better of the standup, but Field shot in again for a takedown, pushing Castaneda against the cage in the process.

Field controlled him again and brought the fight to the ground to end the second round.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Field (20-18 Field overall)

Down two rounds to none, the champion needed to get things going in the final three rounds of the bout if he hoped to end up with a judges’ decision victory.

Round 3

Castaneda clipped Field with a punch early that seemed to stagger him.

Field shot in for another takedown out of desperation, but Castaneda tossed him aside and brought the fight to the ground himself, ending up in half-guard.

From that position, Castaneda exploded with strikes, landing some big punches as Field covered up. The challenger worked hard to escape, but Castaneda took his back and put in one hook.

He was unable to get the second, though, and Field got back to his feet.

Field tried to take Castaneda down, but the champion ended up on top again where he landed some punches before moving to mount where he rained down more punches as the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Field overall)

Round 4

Both fighters looked tired as the fight headed into the championship rounds.

Castaneda got Field against the cage and takes him to the ground with a nice trip into half-guard. Field began looking for a kimura off of his back, but Casteneda was able to avoid it, finally ended up in Field’s guard.

Field eventually broke free and got back to his feet. Field looked very tired and rather than exchange on the feet, opted to push Castaneda against the cage where the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial score: 10-9 Castaneda (38-38 overall)

After dominating two rounds of the fight, Field had fallen off in rounds three and four, likely leaving the bout up to the fifth and final round.

Round 5

Both fighters look exhausted, but Castaneda seemed to have more energy as the fighters came out of their corners.

The two warriors smiled in mutual admiration as they touch gloves to start the last round.

Castaneda tagged Field with a big left hand just seconds in and proceeded to take him down in side control against the cage. He attempted to move into mount, but Field blocked him and ate some punches for his troubles.

Field did get the chance as he kicked Castaneda off of him. He immediately tried to take the champion down, but ended up getting overpowered and ending up on the bottom again where he took more damage before getting to his feet one final time.

With just seconds left in the fight, Field exploded with punches and shot in for one final, unsuccessful takedown attempt as the grueling 25-minute fight came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial scoring: 10-9 Castaneda (48-47 Castaneda overall)

Official result: John Casteneda defeats Mitch Field by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to remain the Driller Promotions amateur lightweight champion.

 Note: A come-from-behind victory for the champion showed his resilience and endurance. A very pro-Castaneda crowd cheered loud as their fighter was announced as the winner.

Craig Early (5-6) vs Floyd Hodges (10-4)—135 Pounds

The pro fights began with a bantamweight bout between Craig Early and Floyd Hodges.

Round 1

A few nice leg kick from Early out of the gate had Hodges on edge.

Hodges backed up, but took an accidental kick right to the groin. With the referee nowhere nearby, Early pounced and landed a couple punches before things finally got broken up.

The referee warned Early as Hodges recovered from the illegal blow, but opted not to take a point.

When the fight got restarted, the combatants tied up and Hodges attempted to bring the fight to the ground, but Early rolled through it and ended up in side control.

Early worked into mount and began raining down shots.

Hodges gave up his back which could have been dangerous, but Early slid off of him and Hodges ended up on top.

Hodges didn’t do much damage from Early’s guard, but Early landed some nice elbows from the bottom.

The fight went back to the feet where Hodges caught Early with a huge punch and a knee that knocked him clean out.  

Official result: Floyd Hodges defeats Craig Early by knockout (punch) at 4:46 in the first round.

Fred Freeman (2-0) vs Brandon Buchholz (6-7)—135 Pounds

Round 1

The fighters battled to a collar clinch early and each man landed, leading to Buchholz shooting for a takedown. Freeman sprawled and stayed on his feet, but ate a thunderous body kick when he got back to his feet.

Buchholz shot in again, but Freeman ended up on top. Buchholz worked for a kimura from the bottom, but couldn’t secure it as Freeman used smart positioning to avoid it.

Freeman somehow trapped Buchholz’s arm in the scramble and put him in a rough-looking armbar/shoulder lock, which forced the submission.

Official result: Fred Freeman defeats Brandon Buchholz by submission (armbar/shoulder lock) at 1:57 in the first round.

Dan Wales (2-3) vs. Andre Tieva (0-0)—135 Pounds

The next fight featured the highly-anticipated debut of hometown favorite Andre “The Diva” Tieva.

Cornered by one of the top trainers in the sport in Greg Nelson, Tieva has been anxiously awaiting his first pro fight.

Round 1

The two fighters felt one another out until Dan Wales shot for a double.

He lifted Tieva off the mat, but Tieva countered by putting him in a deep-looking guillotine choke.

Wales brought him to the ground, but he was in trouble. It looked as if he might slip out, but Tieva squeezed tight and got the submission.

Official result: Andre Tieva defeats Dan Wales by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:52 in the first round. 

Stephen Watt (4-2) vs Ben Locken (2-0)—150 Pounds

Round 1

Huge leg kicks from Ben Locken early in this one and Stephen Watt did not seem to like it.

Watt came back with a huge flurry of punches.

Locken tried to covered up, but ate bunch of them. He tried throwing leg kicks and a few punches through it, but took a tremendous amount of damage.

Locken pushed Watt against the cage and threw some punches, but Watt countered and put him against the fence where he landed some more punches himself.

A bloodied Locked continued to come forward throwing leg kicks and jabs, but Watt had clearly controlled the striking at this point.

Locken got clipped again and fell against the cage where Watt pounced on him and unloaded with more punches until the referee finally stopped the bout.

Official result: Stephen Watt defeats Ben Locken by TKO (punches) at 3:19 in the first round.

Derek Varin (3-0) vs Chris McCalister (3-1)—155 Pounds

Round 1

Chris McCalister tried to control the standup early, but Derek Varin quickly took him down.

McCalister swept him momentarily, but eventually ended up on his back again.

McCalister finally got back to his feet and quickly used his leverage to take Varin down. He stood up and grabbed Varin’s leg in an effort for a heel hook, but was unable to secure it.

Varin finally got back on top and eventually mounted McCalister where he rained down some big shots before taking his back and working for a rear naked choke.

He secured it a few seconds later and got the submission.

Official result: Derek Varin defeats Chris McCalister by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:17 in the first round. 

Mike Plazola (14-8) vs Dan Kiser (6-2)—145 Pounds

Dan Kiser walked to the cage wearing a crown and purple robe. His fans in the crowd all had Burger King “crown” hats to support their fighter.

Round 1

Kiser shot in for a takedown, but a nice sprawl from Plazola stopped that.

Plazola ended up on top and quickly passed into half guard.

Kiser worked for a kimura off his back, but Plazola blocked it with his positioning. Plazola finally broke free and popped Kiser once, opening up a small cut on his forehead.

Kiser up-kicked off his back, but Plazola answered with a big punch. He went for another one and Kiser caught his arm.

Kiser worked for an armbar as the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial scoring: 10-9 Plazola

Round 2

The fighters exchanged punches, but Plazola got the best of it and backed Kiser into the cage as he unloaded with some big knees and punches.

The two fighters went to the ground and Kiser’s head was pouring blood after that exchange.

After allowing them to go at it for a short while, the referee paused the bout to allow the doctor to examine the cut.

The doctor did not like what he saw and stopped the bout, much to Kiser and his fans’ frustration.

Official result: Mike Plazola defeated Dan Kiser by TKO (referee’s stoppage due to cut) at 1:34 in the first round.

Matt Veal (9-7) vs Courtney Buck (10-5)—145 Pounds

The crowd went crazy for both of these fighters as they came to the cage, with both combatants having a good number of fans in attendance for them.

Round 1

Courtney Buck shot in for a takedown, but Veal caught him with a punch and Buck slipped to the mat.

He got up and went for a takedown again, but Veal quickly brought him down instead, ending up in Buck’s guard.

Veal passed to half-guard, but Buck swept him and ended up on top. Veal went for an armbar from the bottom, but Buck landed a few shots, escaped and forced a standup.  

The two fighters clinched from there before a big slam from Veal put Buck on his back. Veal delivered knees to the body out of side control while landing some damage with elbows.

Buck finally got up and went for a takedown of his own, but Veal countered and pulled a guillotine choke. It looked deep, but Buck broke free and got to his knees.

He could’ve stood up, but he didn’t for some reason and Veal flipped him over, right back into side control as the round came to an end.

Bleacher Report unofficial scoring: 10-9 Veal

Round 2

Buck came out quick, unloading with numerous tremendous overhand rights, but Veal avoided the majority of them and quickly took him down.

Veal moved into side control and landed some nice forearms to the face.

The majority of the round was spent here as Buck tried to push Veal off, but was unable to escape.

He wasn’t taking a ton of damage, but the control and cage dominance made it very difficult for the judges not to score this round for the Canadian.

After taking some damage, Buck finally tossed Veal off of him and got to his feet. He exploded with a few punches, but Veal took him down yet again.

Bleacher Report unofficial scoring: 10-9 Veal (20-18 Veal overall)

Round 3

Down two rounds to none, Buck needed to get the finish if he hoped to win.

The two fighters came out of their corners and Veal tagged Buck with a left hand, quickly followed it up with a grazing knee to the head.

Buck tried to throw a punch in response, but Veal shot in and took him down right away.

A nice sweep from Buck put Veal on his back, one of the few times that he had controlled the fight up to this point.

It didn’t last long, though, as Veal powered through and worked back to his feet.

Buck landed some elbows to his head, but Veal took him down yet again. He moved into side control and Buck just could get keep him off.

Veal trapped Buck’s arm in the Salaverry position and slammed his head with forearms. The fight ended here as Veal controlled the majority of the fight on the ground.

Official result: Matt Veal defeats Courtney Buck by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Note: A great night of fights was capped off by a surprisingly one-sided main event. Despite the result, though, the fight was an entertaining close to a great night of back-and-forth bouts with some upset finishes.

April 7 is the date of the next Driller Promotions event, “Downtown Showdown IV,” at the Hyatt in Downtown Minneapolis.

Fans can purchase tickets from vitalculture.com. 

For more MMA news, fighter interviews and opinions, follow Nick Caron: @NicholasCaron.