Past Event November 25th, 2009
Black Wednesday G2 Fight Night Chock Full of Action, Talent
By Kevin Kethcart SPORTSPAGEMAGAZINE.
December 3, 2009
(Tinley Park, Ill – November 25, 2009) As local Mixed Martial Arts shows become more popular, spectators expect them to mimic the larger events on Pay-Per-View. The Black Wednesday G2 Fight Night at the Tinley Park Convention Center did not disappoint its packed house of fight fans.
The card featured fighters from the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area but predominantly showcased fighters from the nearby Gilbert Grappling school in Country Club Hills, Ill. Though a relatively unknown school in the MMA world, Gilbert Grappling is home to the ever-popular Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight contender, Clay Guida, and World Extreme Cagefighting star, Chase Beebe. Other area gyms that participated were Urban Warriors, David and Goliath, LA Boxing and Team INDY.
Of the 11 fights on the card, nine included fighters from Gilbert Grappling – fights in which all the Gilbert Grappling students handily finished their opponents. In fact, there was not a boring bout to be fought as no match went the distance to the third round bell. And fight fans could not have asked for a more varied display of finishes with wins coming by way of knockout, technical knockout, submissions and injury.
Ryan DiPompeo (G2) looks to his corner for advice while holding Kevin Groff (Urban Warriors) to the cage floor
The fight card kicked off with a featherweight newcomer, Ryan DiPompeo (0-0) of Gilbert Grappling, displaying some technical ground skills. DiPompeo took control early by dragging his opponent, Kevin Groff (0-0) of Urban Warriors, to the ground and gaining a dominant north/south position. DiPompeo used strikes to open up Groff and submit him with a tight d’arce choke in just 1:35 of round one.
Jake Murphy (G2) connects with heavy hand that knocks out Carlus Moore (Rebels of Destruction)
Action continued to heat up in the fourth fight of the night as Gilbert Grappling lightweight, Jake Murphy (4-0), took on the more seasoned Carlus Moore (13 – 2) of Rebels of Destruction gym. Murphy’s prefight gaze matched the intensity in which he came out and stood with Moore, landing jabs to establish his superior striking early. Murphy’s first takedown was a successful one that allowed him to move with ease to the much-feared mount position. From there, Murphy postured up and rained down strikes to a nearly defenseless Moore. A well-placed left hook landed flush on the chin of Moore just as he attempted to buck to free himself. Moore went limp and the referee jumped in at 44 seconds of round one before any more damage could be taken.
Joe Wassong (G2) with side mount of Lavon Cousin (Urban Warriors)
The quickest fight of the night ended in only 18 seconds of the first round in a middleweight match when former high school wrestler, Joe Wassong of Gilbert Grappling, brought the heat to Urban Warriors opponent, Lavon Cousin (3-0). Though it was Wassong’s first MMA fight, you would not have known it by the way he came forward at Cousin and took him down at will. Wassong laid down some rapid ground and pound causing the referee to save an overwhelmed Cousin. The crowd contested that the fight was stopped prematurely but a dazed Cousin did not plead the same.
When it came time for the main event of the evening, Daryl Luigs (4-0) had an entourage of victorious teammates to help fuel his confidence before the lightweight bout against the Urban Warriors opponent, Mike Parish (1-0). The team's energy brought the majority of the attendance to their feet for the duration of the match, cheering on the local favorite. Parish came out ultra-aggressively with a flying knee but Luigs anticipated the attack, snatched the fighter from the air and brought him to the ground. Parish struggled to to get up but wound up giving up his back, allowing Luigs to start working for a submission immediately. In a matter of seconds, the Gilbert Grappling fighter slid his forearm under the chin of Parish secured a rear naked choke at the 38 seconds mark of round one. The rest of the Gilbert Grappling took to the cage celebrate the win as well as the rest of their successes throughout the night.
Even with the abundance of MMA readily available on television, the G2 Black Wednesday Fight Night exemplified how the spectacle of the live local show can offer another level of excitement for fans. These young fighters were hungry to display their skills they had trained hard to sharpen, making for night of memorable fights and finishes. G2 is planning a tentative Fight Night sometime in late March.
Full fight card results (winner)
145lbs - Ryan DiPompeo def. Kevin Groff by TAPOUT in Round 1
170lbs - Ryan Kirwan def. Chris Bourassa by TKO in Round 1
135lbs - Mike Rzab def. Joe Merrill by TKO in Round 1
175lbs - Mike Lettiere def. Glen Evans by TKO in Round 3
155lbs - Jake Murphy def. Carlus Moore by KO in Round 1
185lbs - Joe Wassong def. Lavon Cousin by TKO in Round 1
145lbs - Adam Ward def. Sam Agushi by TAPOUT in Round 1
135lbs - Carson Beebe def. Jeremiah Davenport by TKO in Round 1
155lbs - Danny Benoit def. Robert Simpson by TKO in Round 1
185lbs - Justin Ruggio def. Mickey Martin by TAPOUT in Round 3
125lbs - Daryl Luigs def. Mark Parish by TKO in Round 1