Spotlight 29 Casino
Coachella, California
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Story by Allen Lawrence
Photos by John Garber
To see John Garber’s Photo Slide Show of Apocalypse IV, click here.
 Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Spoghlight 29 fans of Mixed Martial Arts came from all over the southwest to see Apocalypse IV. Eight men would show their stuff and fight in an elimination tournament where only four would move on to fight for the Feather Weight Championship of the World. There were 15 bouts tonight and they all lived up to the name of the event, “WAR,” In each of the events two men pitted their warrior skills, one against the other, fighting in a cage, with no help from the outside. In each case, the two men fought to show what they were made of. Warriors locked in combat, with only their hands, their feet and their skill fighting as weapons. Once again I enjoyed it all. Well trained and fit fighters, beautiful ring girls, lots of muscles, testosterone and of course skill and daring. The event is sponsored by ApocalyspeFights.Com, Spotlight29, Original Grappler, Vendeta Industries and the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery in Palm Desert. Fighters represented local training centers and a few, represented themselves. Each bout was three rounds and each round three minutes long.
The first five bouts were all new and upcoming amateurs.
Bout Number 1: Michael Moran Jr. vs James Granger
 Moran opened hard and immediately took the fight to Moran taking him to the mat within seconds.
Moran tried but couldn’t quite turn the tide in his favor. In round two both fighters opened hard as Moran came out fighting and aggressive, Granger took Moran to the mat and held him down and helpless. Try as he might Granger could not finish Moran off. Then Moran got Granger in a headlock and held him until the referee called the fight for Moran in the second round.
Bout Number 2: Arturo Chavez vs Jeff Morgan
 Morgan immediately took the fight to Chavez, he quickly took him to the mat and held him down. The two men jockeyed for position but Morgan stayed on top through most of the fight. While Chavez tried hard and gave it his all he simply could not master the skill and discipline demonstrated by Morgan. In the second round Chavez immediately took the fight to Morgan using legs and repeated blows but Morgan turned the tide in his favor and mastered Chavez. The third round was aggressive and both gave it their all. In the end Chavez just could not take Morgan and the referees gave the fight to Morgan unanimously.
Bout Number 3: Jesse Halabrin vs Josh Selby
Halabrin representing Tru MMA and Selbey an Independent form Yucca.
This was the fastest fight of the evening as Selby slipped and fell in the opening seconds of the fight. Halabrin took advantage of Selby’s fall jumping on him, but Selby turned the tables and took the fight away from Halabrin and end it in his favor as Halabrin surrendered in an extreme tap out 0:31 seconds into the first round.
Bout Number 4: Nate Ticman vs Jacob Rosas
 In round 1 Rosas slipped and fell but recovered quickly. The two jockeyed for position and were up and down through most of the first round. Both were aggressive and both seemed evenly matched neither being able to get the edge on the other for long. In round 2, Rosas opened taking the fight to Ticman but Ticman turned on Rosas and pounded him unmercifully with staggering blows to Rosas head and body. Ticman soon looked tired but stayed in the fight bringing Rosas to the mat. At the end of the round Rosas was on the bottom of the pile and couldn’t make it back up to his feet. In the third round Ticman went for the legs and brought Rosas down and stayed on top for a while. Rosas fought his way back and the battle was fierce with neither giving up, both warriors fighting to the end. The crowd cheered both fighters. At the end of the round Rosas held Ticman in a damaging headlock but the horn blew and the decision was in the hands of the judges. The judges ended up giving the fight to Ticman by split decision.
Bout Number 5: Orlando Cancino vs Jason Walraven
Cancino came out swinging hard and fast but within seconds Walraven took him to the mat and proceeded to pound him unmercifully. Walraven sat on Cancino and threw blow after blow to Cancino’s head and body. Cancino had no choice but to take it as Walraven sat on his chest and stayed in control. Cancino did not give up and valiantly tried to push shove and throw Walraven off. Suddenly, Cancino turned the tables throwing Walraven off, he came to his feet but just couldn’t make it to take back the fight. Walraven took over and threw blow after blow until Cancino was stunned and the referee stopped the fight giving Walraven a TKO at 2:26 seconds into the first round.
Next came the Professional Fighters there were to be 10 great fights before the evening was over.
Bout Number 6: Aaron Arana vs Eddie Santana
Aaron Arana from Redlands weighed in at 140 lbs. 5'7" tall. Eddie Santana representing TCom United weighed in at 140 lbs. 5'8" tall.
Arana came out aggressively wanting to dominate but Santana remained equal to the task and fought bask equally as aggressive. The two jockeyed for position and dominance for most of the first round. Slowly Arana took the lead but that quickly changed as Santana took Arana to the mat. The action remained fast paced until Arana took the lead again by getting a Triangle Head Lock on Santana and it was soon all over as the referee called the fight for Arana 2:33 second into the first round.
Bout Number 7: Cory Dupont vs Ben Ryan
Cory Dupont representing San Diego White Dragon MMA weighed in at 167½ lbs at 6'2". Ben “Hurt” Ryan representing the Palm Springs Brazilian Ju Jitsu weighed in at 169½ at 6'2'’.
Dupont came out hard and aggressive. Ryan took it cool and evenly and simply waiting until he could make his move. But that did not happen as Dupont took Ryan into a Guillotine Head and the fight was over in a flash as the referee stopped it in favor of Dupont 1:15 seconds into the fight.
Bout Number 8: Dion Ramirez vs EJ Chavez
Dion Ramirez representing Coachella Valley Techniques MMA weighed in at 168½ lbs. at 5'8". EJ Chavez representing Irvine No Limits MMA weighed in at 168 at 5'8"
Round 1. Chavez immediately challenged Chavez and the two attacked each other and the fight was on. Chavez took Ramirez to the mat and held him down and powerless. Chavez piled on and started swinging, the two spent most of the round struggling on the mat at least until Ramirez broke loose and came up swinging throwing every thing he had at Chavez but the rounded ended before he really scored.
Round 2. Ramirez immediately took the fight to Chavez, but Chavez turned the tables and piled onto Ramirez holding him down while pounding him unmercifully throwing blows to Ramirez’s head and body, elbows to the face and then more blows to the body. Although dominated by Chavez, Ramirez did not give up. Over and over again Ramirez tried to break Chavez’s hold but just could not, Chavez constantly came up on top. While the battle raged the crowed chanted and shouted, “EJ, EJ, EJ....”
Round 3. As the round opened Chavez took the fight back to Ramirez, but once gain Ramirez was not shy and came back again and again aggressively, throwing blows and kicks as hard as possible. Ramirez took Chavez to the mat but Chavez climbed to the top and the crowed once again chanted and shouted, “EJ, EJ, EJ....” Chavez hit hard again and again and Ramirez for all of his valiant effort lost to a unanimous decision against him in favor of Chavez.
At this point the Featherweight Championship Elimination Tournament began eight fighters but only four winner will go on to the Championship finals to be held at Apocalypse V.
Bout Number 9: Damon Ginart vs Sergio Silva
Damon Ginart representing White Dragon Martial Arts weighed in at 152 lbs at 5' 10". Sergio Silva from Rio De Janeiro Brazil weighed in at 152½ lbs at 5'9" tall.
Fast paced and aggressive Silva took Ginart to the mat and began pounding him on the back of his head, his face and upper body. His battle was relentless and aggressive, no quarter but Ginart did not give up. Suddenly, Ginart was down and out. 2 minutes and 03 seconds into the first round the the fight was over, the referee called a knock out and Sergio Silva the winner.
Bout Number 10: Gilbert Vielmas vs Ruben Salazar
Gilbert Vielmas representing Indio Adrenalin MMA weighed in at 146 lbs. at 5'7"Ruben “the Kid” Salazar representing Salazar MMA weighed in at 144 lbs at 5'6".
Round 1. Vielmas came out aggressive and Salazar countered and danced. The two took the fight to the wall and punching and kicking Vielmas brought Salazar to the mat. Vielmas threw blow after blow to Salazar’s face and head. Salazar broke free and brought Vielmas to the mat pounding him with right’s and left’s to face and head. The two jockeyed for position neither getting the lead on the other. Both on their feet, with blows flying, the first round horn ending the fight for the moment.
Round 2. Both came out fast and aggressively, each throwing blows kicking and struggling to win. Vielmas almost immediately took Salazar to the mat but Salazar threw blow after blow to Vielmas’s head and body. Salazar did not give up and fought like a demon. At the horn, Vielmas was on top and still, tenuously, but clearly, in control.
Round 3. Initially, the two tested each other but then suddenly the brawl restarted. Salazar quickly took the lead bringing Vielmas to the mat and getting on top. Salazar threw blow after blow to Vielmas’s head and upper body, but Vielmas did not take this for long, but just could not seem to break away and get back to his feet. Salazar attacked again and again but Vielmas would neither give up or allow him to be decisive. Just as the horn sounded Salazar had been in process of throwing a devastating right to Vielmas’ head. All in all a great fight with two top warriors battling it out it was hard for me to pick the winner but in the end the judges called it as a split decision for Vielmas.
Bout Number 11: Joe Nickolas vs Jason Williams
Joe Nicholas representing Coachella Valley Tru MMA weighed in at 145 lbs at 5'10". Jason Williams representing Irvine No Limits MMA weighed in at 146 lbs.
Round 1. Williams took the fight to Nicholas from the start. Nicolas met all of the blows, fists and knees aggressively. Nickolas took Williams to them at and climbed on top and held Williams down and stayed in control. Williams broke loose and took the fight to the upright with legs and everything he had to give against Nickolas. As the horn blew, the two were still slugging it out.
Round 2. The round opened with power and punches as the two battled it out and jockeyed for position. Then suddenly Nickolas took Williams to the mat and held him down with blows to his face, head and upper body. Blood flowed from Nickolas’s nose and face but Nicholas was not out of this fight, not by a long shot. Williams is not giving up either and the two battled toe to toe and escalated the fight to a higher level. Suddenly, Williams took Nickolas to the mat, then in a flash the fight was over with Williams laying on the mat dull and clearly dazed. The referee called the after Nickolas took it from Williams using a Guillotine Head Lock. Nickolas, the winner.
Bout Number 12: Richard Schaller vs Dominic Gutierrez
Richard Schaller weighed in at 143 lbs. Dominic Gutierrez weighed in at 144 lbs.
Round 1. Gutierrez came outfighting with blows, legs and knees but in moments Schaller took the lead pinning Gutierrez to the mat and Gutierrez no matter how hard he tried and he did try, he could not get away.
Round 2. The second round started fat and furious both throwing fists, arms, legs and knees in non stop fighting. The fighting was vicious and aggressive and suddenly it was over as Richard Schaller used an arm bar to obtain Gutierrez verbal submission 1:36 seconds into the second round. Richard Schaller the winner.
While introducing the last three fights, announcer Jace Edward called them the “Battle Royal Fights,” and he was right. They were Battle Royal Fights.
Bout Number 13: Joseph Bryant vs Jose Beltran
Joseph Bryant representing Brazilian Ju Jitsu weighed in at 250 lbs. At 6'7" tall. Jose Beltran representing himself from Brawley, California weighed in at 224 lbs and 6'3" tall.
Round 1. With blows and kicks this fight opened aggressively. These are two big and tough men . Beltran took the lead bringing Bryant to the mat. The Beltran threw blow after blow to Bryant’s head, face and upper body. It was a staggering barrage and if Bryant was not already down he would have been anyway. Even though Beltran held Bryant on the mat, the two men went at each other with a vengeance. They gave it their all and the crowd loved it.
Round 2. Both came out like mac trucks punching, kicking and scrambling for position. Then just as suddenly as the round had started, the fight was all over with Joseph “Blood Morning” Bryant the winner, after invoking an Arm Bar on Beltran.
Bout Number 14: Steve Swanson vs Sami Saunders
Steve Swanson representing Tru MMA weighed in at 125 lbs at 5'5". Sami Saunders representing Mendo Combat Club weighted in at 124 lbs.
For many in the audience this was the fight of the evening as Swanson is extremely popular locally and his fans were out in force.
Round 1. Swanson came out aggressively kicking, challenging and throwing body blows taking the fight to Saunders. He clearly was trying to take Saunders down and he gave no quarter. Saunders would not stay down no matter what Swanson threw at him. At one point the fight got so vicious that the referee pulled the combatants apart and restarted the fight. Saunders took many hard hits to his face before going down to the mat pulling Swanson along with him to the wall. Saunders could not get away from the blows. Swanson kept at Saunders relentlessly, yet Saunders took everything thrown at him and gave back in like kind until the end of the round.
Round 2. Swanson once again came out aggressively and the two mixed it up. The two traded blows furiously, but Sunders was up to the task and fought back not giving up and not giving ground. The crowd cheered and they were just about all up on their feet shouting, banging and stomping. Finally, it was just too much for both men as they were visibly tired, yet they continued to trade blows until the end of the round.
Round 3. The third round opened once again with both warriors on the attack. Swanson took the lead and piled on top of Saunders they stayed at each other with no clear winner until the horn sounded the end of the round. The fight went to the judges and by split decision, Steve Swanson was declared the winner. This was a great fight and gave the fans their moneys worth both of these combatants did their job, neither gave up and both did their teams proud.
Bout Number 15: c
John Corstorphine representing Carnage Fight Team weighed in at 175 lbs. At 5'11" tall. Craig Wilkerson of Fullerton representing Combat Submission Fullerton weighed in at 174 lbs. at 6' tall.
Round 1. Wilkerson took Corstorphine down to the mat almost immediately then both are up throwing blow after blow at each other. They are up, then down then up again until Wilkerson once again takes Corstorphine to the mat and holds him down controlling him. Both throw blows neither has the advantage. Finally, Wilkerson gets on top and is relentless in his attack throwing blow after blow until the horn blows.
Round 2. Corstorphine slips and falls and Wilkerson takes the lead piling on top and throwing blow after blow until Corstorphine turns the tables taking the top position and then in charge, pounds Wilkerson relentlessly until Wilkerson has had enough and taps out. Corstorphine the winner.
Special thanks to the referees: Jesse Bueno, Larry Landless and Mike Bertrum, to the fight announcer, Jace Edwards and to the judges Cesar Herrera, Steve and John Opherman. Thanks to tonight’s events sponsors Original Grappler, Vendeta Industries and the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery for making this evening possible.
 Also thanks to the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery and the beautiful ring girls Shelly Gonzalez, Markay Reay, Shannon Bass and Sunshine, the Tilted Kilt has brought to tonight’s event.
A special Thanks as always to Spotlight 29 who at each and every Apocalypse event does their very best to put on a great show. Their staff clearly gave their all and the event went off seamlessly. Thank you again.
To see John Garber’s Photo Slide Show of Apocalypse IV, click here.
For more information on up coming events at Spotlight 29, click here.
For information regarding the next Apocalypse event, Apocalypse V, coming in late 2009, click here.
For information on Jace Edwards, click here.
For information about the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery, click here.
For information about Vendeta Industries, click here.
For information about Original Grapler, click here.
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