Mike Campbell takes out Medrano in WCF 8
Sunday, September 27, 2009 –
WILMINGTON – Before his World Championship Fighting bout at the Shriners Auditorium last night, Mike Campbell likened himself to one of those toy monkey-drummers.
As most fighters were getting amped up for their bouts, Campbell was even keeled. He likes to remain on the same level before a fight, he said, like the wind-up toy.
His energy conserved, Campbell exploded on opponent Mike Medrano, dropping him with a flying knee and following up with a flurry of punches until the referee stopped the fight at 3:12 of the first round.
Having lost his last two fights in the WEC, Campell’s return to the local scene and the WCF 8 card proved fortuitous.
In the co-main event, Hitalo Machado showed off his smooth ground skills. Just over two minutes into the first round, the jiu jitsu brown belt slapped a rear-naked chokehold on opponent John Benoit .
UFC veteran Jorge Rivera’s gym – Rivera MMA – sent four fighters into the ring last night, including Campbell. James Boran and Saul Almeida each won decisions with Framingham native Rivera in their corner. Rivera’s team lost one when Luis Felix got knocked out by Josh Key early in Round 3. Felix suffered a concussion and was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
WFC notes
YouTube legend and “Ultimate Fighter” participant Kimbo Slice was in attendance.
In that reality show, Slice, whose given name is Kevin Ferguson, was put in a house with 16 other heavyweight fighters all vying for the same thing – a contract with the UFC.
It wasn’t the overbearing egos or actual fights that Slice, a Florida resident, found to be the hardest part of the popular Spike Television show.
“The hardest part for me was every day not knowing what was going on at home,” said Slice, a father of six.
For his first fight on the show, Slice takes on former IFL Champion Roy “Big Country” Nelson in Wednesday’s episode.
Slice wasn’t surprised to be paired with Nelson, an “Ultimate Fighter” favorite.
“It was a tough fight,” Slice of the previously taped fight. “I figured they would put their best guy against me. I was like, ‘Back again in another big fight.’ ” . . .
Also in attendance last night were Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis, former Van Halen lead singer Gary Cherone and UFC veterans Marcus Davis, Jorge Gurgel, brothers Joe and Dan Lauzon and John Howard .
