- NIGHT OF FINISHES AT WCF 9
Saturday, February 27, 2010 – by Paul Gara (Photos by Emily Harney)

Wilmington, Mass.-Friday night was “the end of an era,” as well-known Massachusetts referee Kevin Macdonald put it. Five memorable years of un-sanctioned MMA in Massachusetts came to an end after World Championship Fighting 9. With the UFC set to roll into town in August, MMA has finally been sanctioned in the Bay State. WCF 9 was the final event under independent regulation. The fans in attendance cheered as MacDonald’s speech rang-out through the speakers in the auditorium. The fighters on the card though, fought with little interest in holding on to the past; as only two out of the ten fights even met the second round.The Main Event between WEC veteran Mike Campbell and promising young prospect Marc Stevens was scrapped with Campbell having suffered a serious knee injury in the final weeks prior to the bout. Stevens was in attendance though, and wished his opponent a safe and speedy recovery. In their place was the former co-main event, between Olympian Judoka Rick Hawn and Team Bombsquad’s Tom Gallicchio.Having competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, it was expected that Hawn would have the more dominant ground game and he did. Although not a very exciting performance out of either fighter, it was still a good technical battle. On the feet, it was Hawn who was landing the harder shots. Gallicchio was trying harder to land punches but seemed a bit too hesitant throughout the match. Hawn dealt out all of the takedowns that took place. He even put on a brief Judo demo for us, as he tossed Gallicchio over his head with a hip throw. There were certain points on the ground that Hawn postured up and landed some good looking shots. But, for the most part he fought reserved and never looked too motivated to finish the fight.Renzo Gracie NH fighter, Dan Bonnell, looked explosive in his match with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Cesario de Souza. After a bit of arguing from de Souza over a supposed eye-poke, Bonnell unleashed an overhand right that floored his opponent instantly. Bonnell followed him down without hesitation and finished him off with a few more right hands from a crouched side-mount position.

Whether you like him or not, relative-unknown, Stephen Stengel, always comes to fight. Friday night was no different. His opponent Mike Zichelle looked for a takedown right away, but fell victim in his own attempt to do so. Stengel took top positioning and landed a punch at every opportunity he was given. He punched his way right into mount and secured the position. Zichelle quickly rolled over, but Stengel just switched to his opponent’s back and immediately locked up a rear naked choke for the win.

Former pro boxer Carlos Lovato seems to have made the transition to MMA successfully. Lovato stuffed Jerry Spiegel’s sweep attempts early on without much of a problem. Minutes later, back on the feet, he landed a vicious over hand right to the side of Spiegel’s head that sent his opponent crashing to the mat in defeat.

MAIN EVENT

Rick Hawn def. Tom Gallicchio by Unanimous Decision R3 (30-27)

MAIN CARD

John Benoit def. Noah Weisman by Unanimous Decision R2 (20-18)

Stephen Stengel def. Mike Zichelle by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:09, R1

Jamie Campbell def. Andrew Nelson by Submission (Due to strikes) at 1:21, R1

Dan Bonnell def. Cesario de Souza by KO (Punch) at 0:25, R1

PRELIMINARY BOUTS

Matt Martin def. Peter Cole by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 1:40, R1

Carlos Lovato def. Jerry Spiegel by TKO (Due to strikes) at 3:15, R1

Robby Roberts def. Buster Crandell by Submission (Armlock) at 2:08, R1

Joel Ly def. Steve Beck by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 3:19, R1

Nelson Gaipo def. Matt Johnson by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 0:35, R

Moreau owns a judo gym in Derry, N.H. Photo: WCF

New Hampshire’s Tom Moreau is plenty accomplished as a mixed martial artist.

His staggering multi-faceted attack, honed by 13 years of competitive judo and study of jiu-jitsu, boxing and Muay Thai, has earned him a reputation as one of New England’s best 170-pound fighters.

“It’s not a one-dimensional sport,” said Moreau, who’s on World Championship Fighting’s Feb. 26 card in Wilmington. “If they have one strength … I’m finding it and beating them all night.”

He usually does, with a 4-0 record (one no contest) in five pro bouts.

Wins aside, though, Moreau’s best memories have been watching his son find enthusiasm for martial arts.

Now 7, Tom Jr. finished second at judo junior nationals in 2008 — with a proud father looking on.

Tom Jr. follows all of his father’s fights, waiting up for him after late contests. Before his June bout against Don Carlos Clauss, Moreau gave Tom Jr. a look at match day preparation.

“He actually got up in the ring,” Moreau said.  “He was so excited to be up there … moving around. It was great.”

Mixed martial arts regulation is finally coming to Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick today signed into law a bill, versions of which were previously approved by the House and Senate, that calls for the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission to become the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission and oversee MMA events.

The move opens the door for the UFC to host a long-anticipated event in Boston.
www.mmajunkie.com could not reach Massachusetts State Boxing Commission officials for clarification on the bill’s final details. Massachusetts, for example, may allow individual locales to determine whether or not they want to host MMA events. It’s also not known how quickly the state may be ready to begin its regulatory duties.

UFC president Dana White, though, immediately took to Twitter to express his pleasure over the coming state sanctioning.
Read more »

Boston’s John Howard, left, could fight here soon.

In Hub, B’s, C’s — and the UFC?

The path is just about clear for the UFC to come to Massachusetts after mixed martial arts legislation jumped another Beacon Hill hurdle this week.

The state House of Representatives voted 144-10 Wednesday to sanction the sport. All that’s left is to reconcile specific provisions of that bill with the slightly different one already passed by the Senate.

The sports is not illegal in the state, but the UFC — the biggest and most visible promotion in the country — only competes in states where MMA is under the auspices of a government commission.

Promoter Joe Cavallero, whose World Championship Fighting brand holds shows in Wilmington, said he would welcome a UFC event in Boston, which could happen as soon as 2010.

“They’ll bring a huge base of people that are casual MMA fans, and they’ll become rabid MMA fans,” said Cavallero, who anticipates about one UFC show a year in Boston. “I think I’d be in big trouble if the UFC was coming here every week. Then I’d be a little more concerned.”