LIGHTS OUT PROMOTIONS Proudly Presents
October 27, 2007 Inaugural Event
Thanks to our Sponsors for helping make the October Ring Wars possible: The Official Photographer of Omaha's Ring Wars
Lights Out Promotions in association with RoundKick Promotions put on a kickboxing extravaganza at “The Digz” in Omaha, NE on Saturday, October 20th. It featured men, women and juniors in an exciting amateur muay thai and international rules line up. It was the first such event held in Omaha in a number of years and a sell-out crowd was ready for the action. The folks at “The Digz” had a great facility for the fights and provided an after-fight party featuring some televised MMA for those fans still thirsty for action. The results of the night…
BOUT# 1 Women’s Muay Thai Rules Lightweight
Jessica Hollenback vs Melina Caniglia		Round 1 Hollenback started quickly with left/right punches to the head and body of Caniglia followed up by kicks to the legs and body which backed Caniglia across the ring. Caniglia attempted to retaliate with punches of her own but were ineffective for the most part. Hollenback’s aggressiveness and strength gave her the edge in the round. Round 2 Caniglia comes across to begin the round by attempting to be the aggressor but Hollenback maintains her poise and stalls the attack with some well placed punches to Caniglia’s head and then begins to stalk Caniglia. Caniglia re-starts her attack but Hollenback fights back throwing round kicks to Caniglia’s head. A better round for Caniglia but the edge still going to Hollenback for more effective body punches and head kicks. Round 3 Caniglia comes across the ring determined to take the fight to Hollenback. With aggressive punching and powerful leg kicks, she backs Hollenback up. Caniglia, the busier of the two fighters in the round, throws a barrage of punches and kicks to the head and body of Hollenback. Hollenback covered up throughout the bulk of the round and appeared unhurt but still did not control the round as she did in the first two. The edge in the last round going to Caniglia. The judges scored the fight, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28. The Winner by Unanimous Decision—Jessica Hollenback
BOUT# 2 Men's Muay Thai Rules Super Heavyweight
Jason Long vs Carl Hilton		Round 1 Both of these big guys come across the ring intent on landing the big knockout but neither connect. A couple more exchanges and then they clinch and roll around on the ropes where their offenses stall and forces Referee Terri Storm to break them and re-start them in the middle of the ring. They exchange leg kicks and more unsuccessful attempts at heavy knockout punches. A wild first round with the edge going to Long who appeared to have better balance and focus with his attacks. Round 2 The round starts with Hilton throwing a powerful kick to Long’s leg. Long wades through the kick and begins a series of left/right punching combinations to Hilton’s head that back Hilton to the ropes and then forces Hilton to clinch. Nothing happens in the clinch which forces the referee to break them and re-start them in the middle of the ring. At this point, both fighters begin to show fatigue and appear to wait for the other to make the next move. Hilton pushes and leans on Long. Long side steps Hilton’s advance which throws a very tired Hilton off balance and causes him to fall to the canvass. Hilton took too long to get up which forced Referee Terri Storm to issue him a standing 8 count which came at the end of the round. The edge in the round going to Long. Round 3 Long comes across the ring with a punching combination to Hilton’s head. Hilton tries to respond with punches of his own but again falls off balance. Hilton stands and attempts a leg kick to Long who counters with powerful head and body punches that force Hilton into a clinch. In the clinch, Long throws two knees to Hilton’s body which put Hilton down. Hilton was able to get right up to avoid an 8 count and the fight continued. Long continued his attack with more head punches and another well placed knee to Hilton’s body which put Hilton down again and this time for an 8 count. Hilton gets up and attempts to continue the fight but due to exhaustion, Hilton’s corner came up to the ring apron and had the fight stopped at 1:43 of the round. Winner by TKO—Jason Long
BOUT# 3 Women’s Muay Thai Rules
Amanda Bensen vs Rachel Sahlberg		Round 1 Sahlberg begins with kicks to Benson’s body and punches to her head. Benson responds with kicks of her own. Throughout most of the round, they moved around the ring and exchanged techniques. Toward the end of the round, Sahlberg threw some hard punches to the head of Benson causing her to throw her arms over her head and turn away from the attack. Sahlberg failed to follow up with her attack which eliminated the possibility of Benson receiving a standing 8 count. As the bell rang to end the round, Sahlberg hurt Benson in a final exchange and took the edge in the round. Round 2 Benson begins with a right leg to Sahlberg’s body which Sahlberg responds to with a body kick of her own. Benson throws single punches and kicks at Sahlberg’s head and body but Sahlberg responds with combinations. Sahlberg lands a strong left hook to Benson’s head which causes Benson to turn away and cover up bent over earning herself a standing 8-count from Referee Terri Storm. This time Sahlberg follows up with an attack that backs Benson to the ropes and causes her to clinch and tie Sahlberg up. Toward the end of the round, Benson valiantly attempts an offense but is stifled by Sahlberg. The edge in the round going to Sahlberg. Round 3 Benson begins again by throwing single techniques which are blocked and countered by combinations from Sahlberg. Benson tires in the round allowing Sahlberg to continue throwing better punching and kicking combinations which allowed her to dominate the final round. All judges scored the fight 30-26. Winner by Unanimous Decision—Rachel Sahlberg
BOUT# 4 Men’s Muay Thai Rules Light Heavyweight
Cody Odell vs Preston Smith		Smith came forward with an onslaught of kicks and punches aimed at keeping O’Dell off balance. Smith threw a powerful round kick to O’Dell’s head which O’Dell was able to block but still was knocked off balance allowing Smith to charge him and land continuous left/right punching combinations to the head. The attack put O’Dell down and earned him an 8 count from Referee Carl Duncan. When the fight continued, Smith charged O’Dell with more vicious punching combinations to the head causing Referee Carl Duncan to step in and end the fight at 1:02 of the round. Winner by TKO—Preston Smith
BOUT# 5 Men’s Muay Thai Rules Super Heavyweight
Will Thornton vs Scott Hough		Round 1 Both fighters exchange kicks, clash shins and knock shin pads loose. After the equipment repair, Hough comes across and throws several strong round kicks to Thornton’s head. Thornton responds with a kick to Hough’s body. Hough catches the leg and kicks Thornton’s supporting leg out from under him. Thornton gets up, grabs Hough into a clinch and throws several knees toward Hough’s body, most of which were blocked by Hough. In the process, Hough is throwing right hooks to Thornton’s body. They break, Hough throws a strong front kick to Thornton’s body which knocks Thornton down in a flash knockdown. Thornton gets up and takes more kicks to the body from Hough. Hough again catches Thornton’s leg and punches Thornton. The edge in the round going to Hough. Round 2 The round begins much as the last one ended. Hough throws a lot of kicks at Thornton. Half way through the round, Hough’s attack seems to slow down from an apparent injury to his right foot. Seeing this, Thornton turns up the heat and presses the fight toward Hough who limped back to his corner at the end of the round. The edge in the round going to Thornton. Round 3 Hough, visibly limping off of his right foot is unable to sustain an attack as he did in the first round. Thornton, now the aggressor, tries to over-power Hough. Hough is able to neutralize the attacks with counter punches but because of the injured foot, he is unable to receive the aggressor’s edge in the round. All judges scored the fight 29-28. Winner by Unanimous Decision—William Thornton
BOUT# 6 Men’s Muay Thai Rules Exhibition
Matt Williams vs Ricardo Billalobos		These fighters were unable to secure opponents in their own weight class so they put on a fine 3 round exhibition match for the crowd demonstrating an International Rules (low kick) match . Winner by Unanimous Decision – Matt Williams
BOUT# 7 Men’s Muay Thai Rules Middleweight
Josh Long vs Jimmy Maldonado		Round 1 Long comes across the ring with a left/right combination, wraps his arms around Maldonado and throws him down. Maldonado stands and the fight continues. Long throws Maldonado down again and receives a warning from Referee Carl Duncan for using what was very close to an illegal judo throw. As the fight continues, both fighters are swinging wildly. As they attack each other, they clinch and roll around on the ropes. Long wraps his arms around Maldonado’s waist and spins him on the ropes. Maldonado bends over backwards over the top rope and injures his back. At 1:16 of the first round, the fight is stopped due to an unintentional injury. Since the first round was not completed, the fight is ruled a “No Contest”.BR>
BOUT# 8 Men’s Muay Thai Rules Light Welterweight
David Haith vs Brandon Hicks		Round 1 Hicks, the taller of the two fighters, uses his height advantage to start the action by keeping Haith at a distance. Haith is able to land some blows but not without taking some on the way in. In the clinch, both fighters throw effective knees to the body. They break and Hicks begins using kicks to keep Haith at a distance. As the round ends, Haith charges Hicks and backs him against the ropes. The edge in the round going to Hicks. Round 2 Hicks again uses his height and reach advantage to try a keep Haith at bay. Haith, undeterred, wades in and throws punches of his own. Hicks looks comfortable fighting going backwards. He is able to land punches to the head and kicks to the body of Haith who continues to come forward. The edge in the round going to Hicks. Round 3 Both fighters in excellent physical condition, continue to press each other at a pace equal to the first two rounds. Haith, continues moving forward with attacks to Hicks head and body while Hicks, unafraid, counter’s Haith’s advance with clean combinations and good footwork. At the final bell, both fighters were standing with each giving as good as he got in a match that was closer than the scorecards might indicate. All judges scored the fight 30-27. Winner by Unanimous Decision—Brandon Hicks
BOUT# 9 Women’s Muay Thai Rules Welterweight
Chessa Hall vs Tiffany Lebaron		Round 1 Both fighters come forward with furious flurries while trying to establish dominance. At first, neither is able to gain the upper hand. As the round progressed, Hall became more focused with front kicks to LeBaron’s body and leg kicks to LeBaron’s thighs. Throughout the round, both fighters exchanged punches but Hall’s more powerful kicks gave her the edge in the round. Round 2 The round continued much like the first except Hall appeared to grow stronger and more confident as the round progressed. Both fighters threw kicks and punches at the other but the most damage was done by Hall. Edge in the round to Hall. Round 3 LeBaron attempts to take control of the fight with series of punching combinations. Hall, looking confident and in control, blocks many of LeBaron’s punches and answers with combinations of her own. LeBaron begins to tire but continues the attack with everything she has left. The fight ends with both girls trading punches at the bell. All judges scored the fight 30-27. Winner by Unanimous Decision—Chessa Hall
BOUT# 10 Men’s Muay Thai Rules Junior Middleweight
Keante McCracken vs Matt Falewitch		Round 1 Falewitch comes across the ring and begins with a left/right punching assault to the face of McCracken. McCracken, with a bloodied nose, fails to stop the onslaught and earns himself a standing 8 count from Referee Mike Storm. McCracken comes back with a front kick to Falewitch’s body which backs him off and ends up getting through round one of his first fight. Round 2 At the end of the first round, McCracken learned the benefit of the front kick to Falewitch’s body. Falewitch tried to continue his punching attack from the first round but because of McCracken’s front kick, he is unable to match its intensity. A better round for McCracken but the edge to the round still going to Falewitch for being more aggressive and landing more blows. Round 3 McCracken, fighting with a lot of heart and a still bloodied nose from the first round, tries to take the lead but Falewitch is too fast and too polished with cleaner punches as opposed to the wild punches from McCracken. At the final bell, everyone in the arena were on their feet applauding for both boys who showed no quit in them. The judges scored the fight 30-27, 30-26, and 30-26. Winner by Unanimous Decision—Matt Falewitch
MAIN EVENT Men’s Muay Thai Rules Middleweight
John Kalenze vs Drew Dober		Round 1 Dober starts with a round kick to Kalenze’ leg. Kalenze answers with a front kick to Dober’s body. Dober tried to throw kicks to Kalenze’ body but wasn’t able to get close enough to be effective. Kalenze, the taller fighter, uses his height to keep Dober away. Dober, although the aggressor, is unable to get inside of Kalenze’ defense. The edge to the round going to Kalenze on two of the three judges scorecards. Round 2 A closer round. Dober begins to close the gap between himself and Kalenze. He begins to get inside of Kalenze’ defense but is still unable to hurt Kalenze with anything effective. As the round progresses, Dober chases Kalenze and occasionally lands a combination through Kalenze’ gloves and hits Kalenze in the face. As the round ends, Dober lands three consecutive blows to Kalenze’ head. The edge in this round went to Dober on two of the three judges cards. Round 3 Dober continues with a more aggressive attitude. His punches begin to connect more often and he appears to be growing stronger. A series of jabs backs Kalenze to the ropes and then Dober begins with the hooks. A left hook to the head stuns Kalenze and puts him down for an 8 count. When the fight continues, Dober attacks with more vicious punches to Kalenze’ head. Kalenze counters with kicks to Dober’s body but doesn’t appear to have the power or the energy to stop Dober. Dober throws three consecutive hooks to Kalenze’ head and again puts Kalenze down for a second 8 count. Dober, smelling the end, charges in with a right hook to the head which puts Kalenze down for the third time and ends the fight by way of the 3 knockdown rule at 1:26 of the round. Winner by TKO—Drew Dober
AFLAC, sponsored the “Fighter of the Night”. The trophy was awarded to Drew Dober for coming from behind after losing the first round to earn a TKO in the 3rd round by way of the 3 knockdown rule. The runner-up for the “Fighter of the Night” was Scott Hough for fighting 2 rounds in a losing effort with a broken toe. Submitted by Mike Storm, Head Referee
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