BuckeyeMMA Sweeps MMA Festival

Despite last minute changes, cancellations, and substitutions, BuckeyeMMA fighters stepped up their games and posted 6 wins with 0 defeats at MMA Festival. 

Chico Bays, Zach Tinch, Justin Albaugh, and Mike Frech all returned to the cage as amateur fighters while BuckeyeMMA mainstays Jason Riley and Billy Vaughan headlined the event as the only two pro bouts left intact.

In the second fight of the night, Chico Bays made quick work of his opponent. Taking the fight with little more than a 1-week notice, Chico faced newcomer Josh Shaver at 185lbs. Despite only having 2 prior fights under his belt, Bays showed the composure of a much more seasoned fighter as he methodically picked his shots from the feet. Bays found himself on his back briefly after a slip but managed to quickly sweep his opponent and gain top control. He improved his position to full mount and, after landing several punches, secured a choke when his opponent exposed his back in an attempt to avoid the strikes. Now 3-0, Bays will look to fight again in July/August at his normal 170lb weight division.

Chico finding his range.	Quick reversal, then into head & arm.
Picking his shots.	3-0

Zach Tinch improved to 1-1 with a dominant TKO victory. Tinch used superior wrestling to out-position his opponent for the duration of the bout. Moving effortlessly from sidemount to full mount, Tinch landed countless punches before the referee had seen enough and called a halt to the action. 

Zach Tinch Airlines takes flight	Sidemount
Tinch controls the back	Zach consoles his opponent

Justin Albaugh made his return against highly regarded Dan Crabtree, from Sweet Science Boxing. With a wrestling background to compliment his recent boxing training, Crabtree was expected by many to be the favorite leading into the fight.  Albaugh showed up in the best shape he's ever been in, however, and effectively shut down Crabtree for much of the bout. Utilizing a stick-and-move strategy to set up takedowns, Justin landed the better strikes of the fight all 3 rounds. Frustrated by Albaugh's attack, Crabtree continued to load up for the big KO punch... but never found the opportunity to land the shot. Justin landed the majority of the strikes, both standing and on the ground, while nearly securing chokes on multiple occasions. In the end, the judges declared Justin Albaugh the winner by unanimous decision and he improves to 3-0.

Justin Albaugh faces off with Dan Crabtree	Albaugh with the takedown
Justin working for the choke	Winner by Unanimous Decision: Justin Albaugh

The last amateur bout of the night featured submission specialist Mike Frech in a super heavyweight match-up against Jeremy Johnson. Leading up the fight, Frech had to 'reverse diet' in order to be heavy enough for the weight class. After a big meal and 2 large bottles of Gatorade, Frech made weight at 270lbs... a full 30lbs lighter than his opponent. Speed, not size, ended up being the determining factor in the fight. Mike closed the distance, lifted Johnson completely off the floor, and slammed him to the ground. Frech showed uncanny agility for a big man as he quickly transitioned to an armbar and forced Johnson to tap out just seconds later. The total time for the fight? Just 23 seconds from start to finish. With the win, Mike Frech moves to 2-0.

The first professional bout of the evening featured Billy Vaughan making his return against Brandon Knight. Vaughan let his power be known early and often as he stalked Knight from the opening bell. Billy landed brutal punches as Knight tried his best to evade and land counter-punches. Knight landed a hard jab that snapped Vaughan's head back but Billy responded by changing levels and driving in for a high amplitude slam. Now on the mat, Vaughan used the relentless ground attack he's known for while avoiding Knight's submission attempts. Then Billy landed the BOMB that instantly KO'd Knight. The ref immediately jumped in to stop the fight and pull Vaughan off his limp opponent. Knight needed a moment to regain his composure, but managed to leave the cage on his own two feet. With the win, Billy Vaughan improves to 7-5 with his last two wins coming by brutal knockout.

Vaughan comes out swinging.	Billy defends the armbar.
Looking for the BOMB...	BOMBS AWAY!!!!

The professional main event saw 'The Juggernaut', Jason Riley, square off against Bobby 'The Irish Hitman' Favors in a super heavyweight fight. Like his teammate Mike Frech, Riley had to take extreme measures to keep his weight high enough to make the Super HeavyWeight division. Weighing in at 267lbs, Riley did not want to find himself trapped under Favors, who weighed in nearly 100lbs heavier at 360lbs. But also like Mike Frech's fight earlier that night, speed would be the deciding factor rather than sheer size. Riley immediately took the center of the cage and began pumping his jab at Favors. Uncharacteristically, Favors chose to stay on the outside rather than rush in for the clinch. The decision proved to be a bad one as The Juggernaut quickly found his range and fired off a powerful right cross. Favors absorbed the right hand but left himself open for a devastating uppercut that snapped his head up and sent him crashing to the floor. Riley followed the bigger man down and landed another punch or two as the ref dove in to stop the bout. With the official time coming in at just 17 seconds into rd 1, Jason Riley wins by KO and improves his record to 8-3. 

Riley makes his way to the cage	Bobby Favors: 360lbs, Jason Riley: 260lbs
Short exchange before the KO	Jason and his biggest fan.

Originally slated to feature 9 BuckeyeMMA fighters, the fight card took several different turns leading up to the televised event. The first casualty involved the loss of reigning MMA Festival 170lb Champion, Jake Kuhner, due to injury. Originally slated to face Matt Anderson (5-0) in his first title defense, Kuhner incurred a fractured knuckle leading up to the fight. Jake attended the event to support his teammates and will look to return later this summer.

Veteran pro Eli Ayars also fell off the card just days leading up to the event. Ayars was injury free, on weight, and ready to go. Unfortunately, a confusion over required medical exams sidelined Eli just 3 days out from the show.

 Andrew McCoy was the last of the BuckeyeMMA fighters to find himself without a fight... on less than 24 hours. Having agreed to meet Chad Reidmiller at 145lbs (a class above McCoy's usual 135lb division), McCoy was forced to make a decision when his opponent failed to make the contracted weight. In situations where a fighter's opponent misses weight, the fighter can either accept the fight outside the contracted weight class -OR- request that his opponent cut the rest of the water and make the agreed upon weight. Reidmiller declined an opportunity to cut the last pound and, consequently, forced the athletic commission inspector to cancel the bout at the last second.

 Look below for pictures from the event.

BuckeyeMMA goes 6-0 for the evening!	Chico Bays getting taped up before the show starts.
Like a hurricane, Billy Vaughan leaves destruction behind.	Josh looks on from cageside.
Justin Albaugh warming up	BuckeyeMMA coaches: Fred Parrish, Roc Castricone, and Josh Williams