Ryan Ford wins main event at Aggression MMA 7 ‘Confrontation’
By Trevor Robb
-
- Jason Gorny (4-5), right, lands a serious strikes against Elmer Waterhen (10-13) left, at the Shaw Conference Centre for Aggression MMA 7. Waterhen won the battle via split decision. Photograph by Trevor Robb.
EDMONTON — Aggression MMA 7: ‘Confrontation’ went live on Friday, June 10, at the Shaw Conference Centre and despite some fantastic fights and exciting finishes -specifically in the main event when Ryan Ford (16-3) TKO’d his opponent Nick Hinchliffe (18-8) in the second round - the night was continuously grinding to a halt due to a hole that appeared on the cage’ floor.
The hole surfaced during the night’s fifth fight between Jason Gorny and Elmer Waterhen. The hole was fixed momentarily but resurfaced again during the co-main event, between St. Albert Hayabusa gym owner, Luke Harris and Louisville, Kentucky fighter, John Troyer. The fight was stopped and ruled a ‘no contest’.
Harris spoke with the West Edmonton Local about his strategy before the fight:
Luke harris by westedmontonlocal
Unfortunately, Harris and Troyer were unable to finish the fight, much to the chagrin of the crowd at the Shaw Conference Centre. Despite the let-down in the co-main event, the night was chalk-full of entertaining fights, put on mostly by local Edmontonians. Here are some of the highlights:
Main Event: Ryan Ford vs. Nick Hinchliffe
Ford and Hinchliffe exchanged some verbal jabs on MMA messaging boards leading up to last night’s main event. Ford came out flying to start the match, throwing kicks and fists at will, but Hinchliffe was able to counter and land some strikes of his own. Both fighters appear to be confident, spending the majority of the fight on their feet. Again, the cage’s floor came undone, but only momentarily as the referee and on-scene event staff were able to get it back together.
-
- Local MMA star, Ryan Ford (16-3) (left) dials in a punch during his second-round TKO victory over Nick Hinchliffe 18-8) (right) in the main event at the Shaw Conference Centre for Aggression MMA 7.Photograph by Trevor Robb.
The fight resumed in the second as an accidental low-blow by Hinchliffe caused the fight’s second stoppage. Ford took a couple minutes to gather himself but continued the fight shortly after – touching gloves with Hinchliffe. The second round ended with a cut opening up on Hinchliffe’s forehead.
The third round opened up with Ford immediately attacking Hinchliffe with a flurry of combos. A stiff right hand sent Hinchliffe to the mat and Ford bombarded Hinchliffe with punches. At that point, referee Kyle Cardinal called a stop to the fight, but Hinchliffe hopped right up to his feet and begins protesting the stoppage. But by this time, the match had already been called.
Ryan Ford defeats Nick Hinchliffe via TKO (Punches) in Round 3. Time: 0:18.
Co-Main Event: Luke Harris vs. John Troyer
Harris and Troyer were only able to square off for three minutes in the first round. The two fighters remained on their feet trading kicks and jabs but both fighters seemed wary about taking any risks. Troyer motioned for Harris to attack him but Harris simply smiles and continued to stalk Troyer.
Cardinal called a stop to the fight after the hole in the cage could not be fixed after a 15-minute delay.
Harris expressed his displeasure on his Twitter account following the fight:
“My fight was ruled a ‘No Contest’ because the ring fell apart. I was ahead up to that point. Total BS,” tweeted Harris. “Didn’t see the main event but I’m disappointed for sure. They tried several times to fix the cage during our fight.”
Luke Harris and John Troyer is ruled a no contest in Round 1, due to faulty cage floor. Time: 3:14.
-
- Fighting out of Edmonton with the ‘Legends Training Centre and Gym’, Steve Beaumont (3-0) (right) wins his match against James Haddad (3-1) via unanimous decision at the Shaw Conference Centre for Aggression MMA 7. Photograph by Trevor Robb.
Steve Beaumont vs. James Haddad:
Fighting out of the west end ‘Legends Training Centre’ Steve Beaumont (3-0) took on submission specialist, James Haddad (3-1). Both fighters came into the fight undefeated but it was Beaumont who was able to remain undefeated.
Haddad was comfortable taking the fight to the ground but couldn’t contend with Beaumont’s vicious ground and pound. Beaumont dominated the fight on his feet, landing several devastating kicks and strikes. A deep cut opened above Haddad’s right eye as blood rained on Beaumont and the cage floor.
In the end, all judges unanimously scored the bout the same, giving it to Beaumont who improves to 3-0.
Steve Beaumont defeats James Haddad via Unanimous Decision (30-27)
In other action:
- Elmer Waterhen (10-13) defeats Edmonton-born Jason Gorny (4-5) via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27).
- Former Edmonton Eskimo and ‘Legends’ gym member, Rio Wells (5-1) defeats Mark Burns (1-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in round 2. Time: 1:53.
- Rookie fighter James Edwards (1-0) defeats Mark Sawka (2-1) via majority decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28).
- Edmonton-born but fighting out of Calgary, Paapa Inkumsah (5-4) defeats Dajan Kajic (1-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in Round 1, 2:23
- Matt Trudeau (1-0) defeats ‘Frank Lee Muay Thai‘ fighter and MMA rookie, Levi Kump (0-1) via TKO (Elbows) in round 1. Time: 3:56.
Submission of the Night – Rio Wells
Knockout of the Night – Matt Trudeau
Fight of the Night – Steve Beaumont vs. James Haddad
hi my names james edwards ! i fought on the aggresion card in edmonton if you could email me some of my fight pics with mark sawka that would be great
Hey James, I have an email address posted just below the photo slide show. If you shoot me an email I will gladly send some pictures your way. Great fight by the way, it was battle!
Congrats,
Trevor Robb
The floor coming apart on several different occasions left a lot to be desired about Aggression MMA ensuring the safety of the fighters. I don’t this the use of stacks of plastic pails as support for the ring would pass a safety inspection of that ring. Not only the floor coming apart but the mat repeatedly lay wrinkled and moved which caused more than one fighter to somewhat “trip”. In fact the ring girls took their shoe off as they had problems walking on the wrinkled and moving mat. Very uncool performance on Aggression’s part. No fighter should need to put up with the type of ring that Aggression provided.
I always assumed there was some sort of written ring regulations or standards to ensure consistency. I’m still new to covering the sport but I did take note of the looseness of the canvass.