MMA Big Show: Triple Threat – Round by Round Coverage

Pro Fighting Fans’ Scott Dryden and Luke Jernigan are live at MMA Big Show: Triple Threat at the Belterra Casino in Florence, Ind. tonight sitting cageside.

Scott’s live MMA Big Show Round by Round Coverage will be posted here throughout the night. Simply refresh your browser for the latest updates throughout the night as we track the MMA Big Show: Triple Threat results . The fights begin at 7 pm ET.. 

Good evening everyone.  Welcome to the live blog of MMA Big Show: Triple Threat.  A jam packed crowd here to witness Roger Bowling’s last local fight along with TJ Balls pro debut, Chris Bennett fighting what could be his last amateur fight and a main event featuring Dave Hess vs. Jake O’Brien. 

Ammy Card:  

Owen Vance vs Rob Egan:  Bantamweight (135 lbs) – Egan took control quickly and looked very impressive with a great take down and good shots to the head.  From there Egan quickly grabbed a RNC :54 into the first round.

Cliff Watson vs. Trevor Riley:  Welterweight- An action packed first round with Riley landing several heavy strikes which opened Watson up.  Watson showed toughness by hanging in but fell into a guillotine choke but managed to escape. 

Watson bounced back and ended the round with heavy strikes.  Watson’s head looks like he was bitten by a shark.  A great first round.  I score it 10-9 for Riley.

Round 2- The round started with the same excitement as the 1st round as both fighters took tremendous shots.  Watson has a chin carved from granite. 

The round ended with Watson taking Riley to the ground.  Another action packed round.  I have it 10-9 Riley.  Watson will need to finish the fight in the 3rd round to get the victory. 

The 3rd round began with the touch of the gloves and quickly got into the action.  Watson gained the top position and landed several shots. 

Riley did a tremendous job from his back and attempted a triangle choke near the end of the round.  Watson wins the 3rd round but Riley will get the victory 29-27.  Official Decision: Trevor Riley via Decision

Josh Pratt vs. James Baumgardner: Lightweight- Pratt tried a quick takedown and almost worked an arm bar from his back.  Baumgardner landed several heavy strikes which almost ended the fight.  Pratt was hurt badly but managed to survive.  Pratt managed to sweep to Baumgarnder as the round ended.  A very close round.  I have it 10-9 Baumgardner.

2nd Round: A very entertaining start to the 2nd round with both fightrers being very aggressive.  Both avoided big shots and used very good foot work.  A very close second round.  I have it 10-9 in favor of Pratt.  Even fight heading to the 3rd round. 

3rd Round: Pratt landed a solid body kick which slowed the action.  Baumgardner regained his composure and landed an onslaught of punches while Pratt was on his kness forcing the referee to stop the action.  Official Decision James Baumgardner via TKO due to strikes 1:42 into the 3rd round. 

Andrew Zinser vs. Kirk Miller: Heavyweight- Two very big dudes thowing leather.  Miller at 6-7 was too much for Zinser.  Miller landed a wicked knee which send Zinser to the ground.  The referee quickly stepped in stopping the fight.  Official Decision: Kirk Miller :39 into the 1st round via TKO due to strikes

Nathan Campbell vs. Mitch Charbeneau- Lightweight- Campbell landed a few strikes to begin the fight and took Charbeneau to the ground.  Mitch took a tough left hand and managed to keep his composure.  Charbeneau ate a few punches, which caused a bloody nose, but took Campbell to the ground.  A very entertaining 1st round.  I score it 10-9 Campbell.

2nd Round- Campbell landed a great take down but got caught in a triangle choke.  Official Decision: Mitch Charbeneau via submission due to a Triangle Choke 1:00 into the second round.

Shannon Casey vs. Sebastian Giovannini- Middleweight- Both fighters showed a lot of movement while throwing a few legs kicks and punches.  Giovanni waited his time and landed an impressive takedown and grabbed Casey’s back where he sunk in a RNC.  Official Decision Sebastian Giovanni via subsmission due to a RNC 2:21 into the 1st round.

Jake Bello vs. Matt Johnson- Bantamweight- Johnson quickly took control with a solid take down then assumed the top position.  He transitioned nicely from the north south position into side control.  From there he continued to dominate from the top position.  Matt “Magic” Johnson wins the 1st round with ease. 

2nd round- Johnson started the 2nd round with a very good take down and once again maintained the top position.  He continued to use very good balance and hip placement to stay out of Bello’s guard.  Finally Johnson got to high and Bello escaped out the back door.  The fight went back on their feet where Johnson took Bello to the ground and grabbed his back as the round ended.  Another round to Johnson. 

3rd Round- The round started with both fighters locked in a clinch.  Johnson once again showed superior strength and took Bello down and grabbed the dominat position.  Bello escaped only to be taken down again and this time he took several big shots.  Finally the referee stopped the fight after Bello ate several big shots.  A very dominating performance by Johnson.  Official Decision: Matt Johnson via TKO due to strikes 2:56 into the 3rd round. 

Intermission

I’m here with MMA Big Show President Jason Appleton.  What are your thoughts on tonights event?

JA- So far every fight has been fantastic and very exciting.  Nothing has been boring thus far. 

What can the fans expect from the main card tonight?

JA- I have no idea what to expect from the main event.  I guarantee its going to go to the ground.  I think Hess will be much improved as he has been training with Kerry Schall.  The last time he fought his wife was having twins.  I know what that can do to you.  I think it will be a fantastic main event. 

How about Roger tonight?

JA- He is coming off a quick KO victory where he broke some bones in his hand.  This is after he came off a broken wrist.  I basically told him I wasn’t going to let him fight for awhile until he was 100 percent. 

Appenzeller is no joke.  He trains with ATP which means he will be ready and is legit.  The guys on his team describe him as Clay Guida.  He will keep coming until Roger puts him out if he can.

I really have no idea whats going to happen with these pro fights I have put together.  I matched them up well and it should be an exciting event in front of an over capacity crowd.

Main Card:

Ammys-

DJ Smith vs. Brandon True- Lightweight- The 1st round began with an exchange of accidental groin kicks which halted the action.  Both fighters are very quick and move very well in the stand up.  In the clinch, Smith grabs a take down and falls into True’s full guard.  The round ends with Smith landing shots from the top.  A closed first round that goes to Smith. 

2nd round- True landed an impressive array of kicks which send Smith backwards.  True seemed to hurt his foot which halted the action.  Smith then landed a takedown and assumed the top position.  A very close round.  True’s nose is bleeding following the round.  I give the round to Smith. 

Round 3- The round started with a fulurry of action where True was stunned with a kick.  True then back pedaled and cat walked the cage.  An incredible display of athletic ability.  Smith managed to chase him down and gain the top position.  True’s face is bloodied and he is beginning to suck wind.  Smith continued to dominate throughout the rest of the round.  I score it 30-27 in favor of Smith.  Official Decision DJ Smith via UD

PJ Jackson vs. Brian Francisco- Welterweight- Fransciso is well very versed as he avoided several take downs with impressive sprawls.  His motion is very fluid thus far.  He managed to grab Jackson’s back and ended the fight due to strikes.  Official Decision: Brian Francisco via TKO due to strikes 1:33 into the 1st round.

Muhammed Abdullah vs. Chris Bennett- Welterweight-Bennett is clearly smaller than Abdullah.  Bennett agreed to fight at welterweight.  This should be great as both fighters talk trash before the fight starts, Bennett yells “This is my house.” 

Chris moves very smoothly landing leg kicks and strikes.  Abdullah lands a big take down and throws some heavy strikes.  The strength difference is showing up initially as as Abdullah throws him down with a heavy slam.  A very tough 1st round.  A very close round.  Abdullah gets it 10-9.

2nd round- Addullah goes for another take down as Bennett grabs a guillotine choke.  Wow, this kid is simply great.  The sky is the limit.  He needs to turn pro and turn pro now!!  Official Decision: Chris Bennett via tap out due to a guillotine choke :52 into the 2nd round.

After the fight it was announced that Chris Bennett will be turning pro in April.

Pro Fights:

Rashid Abdullah vs. TJ Ball- Middleweight- Ball’s pro debut as he cuts down to 185.  Abdullah trains at the famous HIT Squad with Matt Hughes.  Abdullah starts with a barrage as he lands several strikes sending Ball sprawling. 

Ball gets caught in a guillotine choke and taps out.  Abdullah’s length and striking ability were the difference.  Official Decision: Rashid Abdullah via submission due to a guillotine chokke 1:13 into the 1st round. 

Roger Bowling vs. Jerrod Appenzeller- Welterweight- Roger starts with a flurry landing several big blows.  Then fighters then tie up as Roger lands several strikes.  Appenzeller grabs Roger’s back andgrabs a RNC but Roger manages to escape.  Appenzeller is completely on Rogers back with his legs wrapped around Rogers neck. 

Bowling manages an incredible reversal as the crowd goes nuts.  Bowling lands several big strikes from the top position.  The crowd is going bonkers, what at atmosphere.  Appenzeller does a nice job of hanging in as he traps Roger’s leg in the guard.  Appenzeller’s right eye is a mess. 

Bowling is a machine gun from the top position.  Appenzeller has shwon a lot of heart and toughness hanging in there as his face is mangled.  Wow, a dominating first round by Bowling. 

2nd round- Bowling attacks and drills Appenzeller with some incredible shots.  The ref stops the fight but Jerrod showed an incredible chin.  Official Decision: Roger Bowling via TKO due to strikes :14 into the 2nd round.

Main Event Jake O’Brien vs. Dave Hess- Heavyweight- Matt Mitrione is in Jake O’Brien’s corner.  Jake is one big dude.  The fighters spend time feeling each other out when Jake lands a solid right hand.  Jake takes Hess down and lands some solid shots to the ribs.

Jake continues to dominate landing blows from behind Hess.  Hess is on his knees just holding on.  Nothing of consequence is landing but points are being scored.  Hess finally rolls and relieves the pressure but Jake continues the onnslaught.  Hess reverses into the top position as the round ends. 

2nd Round- Jake avoids a take down and pushes Hess into the cage.  Jake grabs a double leg and Hess gets into the turtle position.  The position remained the same as Jake landed several strikes to the side of the head. 

Jake grabs Hess back looking for a RNC.  Hess reverses and lands on top.  Jake shifts his weight and grabs an arm forcing Hess to tap out.  Official Decision Jake O’Brien 4:21 into the 2nd round due to a kimura.

Good Night all!!  A great night of fights!!