· “Ultimate Cage Battle: Pride And Glory” Results

A packed sold out crowd of more than 1,600 fans braved a cold night on January 15 in Northeast Ohio to support one of its own. Dan Bobish, a mixed martial arts pioneer and one of the first fighters from Ohio, was promoting instead of fighting on this night, but the support for “The Bull” was still evident. “Dan Bobish’s Ultimate Cage Battles: Pride & Glory” took place at Ohio Nets Sports Complex in Parma, Ohio, featuring a mix of up-and-coming stars, MMA veterans, and local heros.

Amateur Results:

Brandon Seylor (2-0) def. Josh Berkley (0-3) by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:45 of Round 1
Bobby Gilmore (1-0) def. Nick Schenk (0-2) by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:39 of Round 2
Christian Anderson (2-0) def. Eric Ferguson (2-1) by submission (guillotine) at 0:41 of Round 3
Joe Callari (1-1) def. Marcus Esler (0-2) by split decision
Justin Cooper (1-0) def. Shane Rivera (0-1) by TKO (punches) at 1:00 of Round 2
Rich Randolph (3-3) def. Dallas Dishman (2-4) by submission (verbal) at 3:00 of Round 1
Jeremiah Yeager (3-0) def. Jake Huffman (2-2) by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:43 of Round 3
Cody Garbrandt (3-1) def. Billy Freedson (0-1) by TKO (punches) at 1:18 of Round 1

Pro Results:

175 lbs - Tiawan Howard (7-6) vs. Eric Moon (4-3)
Two tough welterweights are in action here at a 175-pound catchweight. The Clevelander Howard gets a rousing ovation from the home crowd, while Moon tries to win Ohio over by mentioning the state’s proud history in wrestling.

ROUND 1 - Fighters touch and Howard lands a right, while Moon immediately shoots for the takedown. He’s in Howard’s guard, and gets side control. Howard reverses and now he’s on top. Moon gets it back to the feet. They clinch and Howard lands a knee. Moon trying for the takedown, but Howard stuffs it. Moon wants no part of the veteran kickboxer on the feet. Moon really trying for the takedown and tries to slam Howard. Moon chases Howard and pushes him against the cage. Moon with the unpopular foot stomp and he still has this fight against the cage. Moon finally wrestles him to the ground and but Howard won’t have it and stays in a crouching position. Moon tries to get his back in the clinch and throws a dozen foot stomps. Moon is clearly a wrestler but Howard has seen this before. We’re back to the feet. Moon lands a body kick but Howard bounces back with a right. Moon back to the clinch. Moon has over/under and they’re dancing in a clinch. Moon gets the fight back against the cage. Moon grabs the right leg and finally gets Howard to the ground. He’s in half guard. Howard gets full guard back and he has a high guard. Moon trying to posture. Howard trying to catch an arm. Moon passes and lands a big elbow. Moon has a good game plan here but Howard stays tough. Howard gets his back and lands a few shots as the round ends, but Moon finishes in Howard’s guard. Moon takes the round 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Moon keeps the same game plan and immediately gets the clinch. Howard now trying to get the takedown with double underhooks. Moon backs him into the cage and lands a few body shots. Moon fights for the takedown and gets it. He’s in Howard’s guard and tries to posture. He gets full posture but Howard gets back to his feet. Howard landing blows as Moon tries for nothing but the takedown. Howard throws a kick and moon looks ready to shoot again. Moon throws a big right hook that misses. Howard throws a kick and Moon catches and gets another takedown. Fans boo as Moon tries to pass. We’re back up. Howard catches Moon with a straight right, but Moon grabs yet another leg and finishes the takedown. Howard is sitting up against the cage and Moon is trying to finish the takedown. Referee stands them up and Moon lands a left hook. Howard looks tired but he’s still throwing. Moon lands a right and Howard counters with a left high kick that catches Moon flush. He looks dazed, but he gets yet another takedown. Howard catches the deep kimura that he was going for in the first round and finishes it. Hell of a comeback from the hometown hero in an exciting fight to start off the main card.

Official Call: Tiawan Howard (8-6) def. Eric Moon (4-4) via kimura at 3:38 in the second round


185 lbs - Brian Rogers (5-2) vs. Robert Conner (9-3)
The hometown favorite Rogers gets a rousing ovation from the crowd, as the fans know he’s a rising star and may not be fighting at home much longer. He’s facing a tough grappler out of West Virginia who is moving up in weight to take this fight. Conner weighed in five pounds under and is dwarfed by the athletic former strength and conditioning coach. Conner is booed. The M-1 Selection veteran is clearly in enemy territory here.

ROUND 1 – Rogers looks calm and collected. Fighters touch and Rogers lands a leg kick. He then lands a left right combo and Conner already wants to got to the mat. Rogers has none of it and stuffs the takedown. Rogers lands an uppercut and is stalking. Conner tries for the takedown again but Rogers stuffs. Finally Conner gets the takedown and is in half guard. Conner goes for his neck and can get out of this half guard anytime he wants. Rogers gets back to his feet and Conner has him against the cage. Conner looking much tougher than most expected here. Rogers trying for underhooks but Conner keeps him against the cage. They separate and Rogers talks again. He’s circling left and Rogers has a bloody lip while it looks like Conner’s right eye has a mouse. Conner tries another takedown but Rogers catches him and ends up with some ground-and-pound. Rogers is back up after almost finishing it and the referee stands Conner back up. Rogers wants to finish this and lands a serious knee. The fight is over after some final shots on the ground.

Rogers lets the crowd know that this is his second finish by knee and they seem to enjoy that. He also tells them to rack up frequent flier miles because he’s taking his fast-rising game on the road to bigger promotions in the near future.

Offical Call: Brian Rogers (6-2) def. Robert Conner (9-4) via TKO at 3:07 of the first round


265 lbs - Jason Riley (9-4) vs. Bobby Brents (6-1)
The storyline here will be the height differential between the heavyweights. Brents is 5’9” and Riley is a towering 6’6”. Both fighters mention wanting to finish it early. Brents looks like he could be Pat Barry’s brother.

ROUND 1 – Riley towers over Brents as the referee brings them to the center. The height advantage is every bit of the nine inches that was advertised. Fighters touch and the big heavyweights go to work. Brents with a leg kick and Riley throws a couple of left hooks that land. Brents with another leg kick and he has to jump to reach Riley’s face. Brents tries to grapple the big man but Riley stuffs. Brents has him against the cage and lands a couple of knees to Riley’s inner thigh. Brents still trying for the takedown but Riley hangs tough. Brents peppering him with knees in the clinch as he keeps the distance close. He lands a left hook as Riley back away. Riley with a stiff jab and a leg kick. A back-and-forth striking battle continues as they stand toe-to-toe. Brents' leg kick lands so he throws another. Seesaw battle and it is close to midway through the first. Brents picks up steam but Riley lands a combo. Brents clinches again but it’s Riley who gets the Thai plumb and lands a big knee and a few inside shots. Brents likes the leg kicks and he’s trying to chop the big man down. Riley lands an uppercut and a left jab. Riley favors the uppercut as he knows that Brents is looking to stay close. Riley picks up steam with 30 seconds left and is winning the round now late. Brents throws a late mid kick and leg kick and it’s a close round with lots of action. It could go either way, but Riley takes a close one 10-9.

ROUND 2 - Riley gets caught low on accident early, and the ref stops it momentarily. We’re back on and the fighters dance. Brents throws a mid kick. Riley is landing combos but Brents catches him with a right and has Riley staggering. Brents shoots and ends up in half guard. He throws a few body shots and Riley is trying to get up. Brents with the cross face as he tries to end the fight. Brents catches an arm in half guard and Riley immediately taps. The ref calls it a keylock. Riley’s arm looks to be injured but he stands up after a couple of minutes and shakes it off.

Official Call: Bobby Brents (7-1) def. Jason Riley (9-5) via keylock at 1:37 of round two

Dan Bobish climbs in the cage to thank the fans and sponsors for coming out and providing a packed house for the fourth UCB event. He lets fans know that the next event will be on April 9 in Cleveland. We’re now ready for the main event of the evening.

178 lbs - Forrest Petz (21-9) vs. Herbert “Whisper” Goodman (16-9)
A very intriguing matchup here: Whisper is coming in as an elite athlete and former Green Bay Packer and Petz is a seven-time UFC veteran. Both fighters will likely look to stand here; Whisper will rely on athleticism while Petz will look to be more technical and use his power. Petz promises a knockout and says he wants to get inside on Goodman in the fight. “The Meat Cleaver” comes out to a rousing ovation from the hometown crowd and they seem to be happy to have him back home.

ROUND 1 - Whisper the taller fighter here as he fights below middleweight for the first time. Fighters touch. Forrest throws a couple of leg kicks to open up and Whisper is looking to stay at range. Whisper lands a cracking leg kick. Petz is pawing and trying to get inside. Whisper wants to stay back a little. Petz again paws with the jab and we have a technical battle going on early. Whisper lands a small combo and a leg kick. Forrest immediately counters and is mixing up his strikes. Petz ducks under a big left hook and catches Whisper with one of his own. Whisper returns the favor and gets a big takedown. He immediately passes to mount and lands a few small shots. Petz reverses and is now in Whisper’s butterfly guard. The crowd cheers. Goodman has control of Petz and it’s a stalemate. Petz is trying to earn space but Whisper won’t let him. Ref stands them up. Petz wants to keep it here and Whisper is happy to trade. Petz is now the aggressor and Goodman is backing up. Goodman lands a leg kick and it’s a back-and-forth battle. Petz with another leg kick. Petz lands a nice counter right and ducks under a left to land a 1-2 combo. Petz is winning the boxing battle here. Goodman misses a Superman punch and it’s a close round. Almost too close to call, but Petz was more aggressive and got the reversal. Petz, 10-9.

ROUND 2 – They’re dancing but Petz is once again the aggressor. Whisper is dropping his left hand and that might cost him later. Goodman shoots but Petz stuffs and Goodman pushes him into the cage. Goodman is strong but Petz is just as tough and he wins the fence battle and pushes Whisper into the cage. A stalemate here and Petz goes for the takedown. Both fighters are grinding in this very even matchup. Petz seems to be expending a lot of energy but Goodman looks fresh. Petz is winning the round by keeping the pressure on the cage. Whisper gets away from the cage and misses a right. Whisper lands a solid body kick and Petz took it. Petz is becoming more aggressive and realizes he may need to finish this fight soon before his cardio runs out. Goodman looks fresh. Goodman tries for another takedown but Forrest stuffs and again turns Goodman into the cage. Petz has underhooks and is muscling the bigger fighter around. Goodman releases again but Petz lands a left hook. Petz takes the round as Goodman was stymied. 10-9 Petz.

ROUND 3 – Goodman is looking to finish here and tries for a takedown. Forrest stuffs and once again uses his muscle to get Goodman against the cage. Goodman releases. Goodman begins stalking but Petz lands a leg kick. Two leg kicks. Goodman adds his own leg kick. Petz is bleeding from his right eye but he’s still moving. He rushes in and lands a left hook and a body shot. Petz is now starting to pick Goodman apart. Goodman controls the middle of the cage. Now it’s Petz. Goodman misses a big left hook and Petz returns with a 1-2. Goodman lands a big takedown and is in Petz’s guard. Petz hanging on. Petz reverses and is now in mount and he’s raining down punches. Goodman gives up his back and Petz tries to get the choke. Petz back in full mount but Goodman recovers to half guard. Goodman is back up after taking a few shots on the ground. Whisper once again stalking but it’s Petz who is landing. Goodman tries another Superman punch, but it misses. Goodman tries for another takedown but once again Forrest is strong and wins the cage battle. They put it all on the line in the last ten seconds and fans cheer at the end. Petz takes the third round too, 10-9.

Official Call: Forrest Petz (22-9) def. Whisper Goodman (16-10) by unanimous decision