LOCAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTERS COMPETE IN TWO GEORGIA EVENTS

The Tallahassee Fight Club concluded one of the busiest months of fighting for any fight team in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts as 9 TFC members took part in Georgia events over the past two weekends. Fighters Chris Thorne, Justin Bagomolny, Shane Weinischke, Arthur Huynh, Lateef Bryant and David Fermin traveled to Savannah on June 15. On June 23rd, Atlanta hosted Josh Samman, Jeremy Smith and Taj Bouachrine

Providing half of the Savannah card’s bouts, the TFC went 4-2 in that evening’s action. Lateef Bryant dominated en route to a second round win via armbar. David Fermin weathered a tight triangle attempt for a good portion of the match before taking a head and arm choke at the start of the second round. Marine Corporal Chris Throne pounded away on his opponent before he too ended his fight in the second with a knee and heavy punches to earn a TKO. Justin Bagomolny could not find his rhythm as he scrambled for submissions and he eventually submitted to a rear naked choke in the first. Another early submission loss followed as Shane Weinischke opponent took the match to the canvas and captured an armbar. However, Arthur Huynh made sure to close out the night for the TFC in fashion by battling through the event’s fight of the night.

Facing tough veteran Larry Landry, Huynh made an impressive pro debut as he initially used movement to stay out of the former pro-boxer’s reach. However, Landry found his mark with a crushing right hand that dropped Huynh and left the Florida State student instinctively working for a heel hook. Landry powered out of the submission attempt to return to a standing contest. Despite being visibly stunned, Huynh exchanged strikes with Landry before taking the fight to the ground. From within his guard the TFC fighter looked for an armbar as Landry picked Huynh up for a matt-rattling slam. After a jarring impact, Huynh secured the armbar submission to take a victory in an intense first round.

Following the success in Savannah, a second group of TFC competitors traveled to the Atlanta area’s Peachtree City. Taking on local Atlanta fighters, the TFC took home a 1-2 record. Taj Bouachrine made his first trip into the cage and put on a remarkable effort before losing via armbar with seconds left in the first. Previously undefeated professional fighter Josh Samman fell to a rear naked choke in the opening minutes of his bout. Following the TFC trend, Jeremy Smith went on to victory in that evening’s fight of the night against popular Atlanta fighter Anthony Nieves, a Wakulla High School graduate.

Executing his game plan, Smith bullied Nieves into the cage to take away the Muay Tai instructor’s clinch. However, Nieves landed brutal knees to Smith’s body as the TFC fighter worked for a takedown. The two battled with knees and inside punches as Smith tried to smother Nieves and the latter fought for space. At one point Smith took Nieves down in the TFC corner and he followed instructions to the letter as his trainers talked him through a series of ground and pound, takedowns, and defense against a close guillotine attempt as Nieves pulled guard against the fence. From there the Atlanta fighter kicked away to return the fight to their feet. As the two reengaged into a clinch, it was clear that Nieves had drained himself with the submission attempt and Smith quickly tossed him down. Smith would then take a full mount position and pour down punches and elbows before Nieves tapped due to strikes towards the close of the first round.

Overall, Tallahassee Fight Club fighters took part in an incredible 14 fights in the month of June posting an impressive record of 8-6.  For more information on the Tallahassee Fight Club, visit our website site at www.tallahasseefightclub.com, or call 850.556.0941.  And look for us in our new state-of-the art training facility starting August 1.