While it may have been hot and sunny this weekend in Bend, anyone who attended Budo Fights' debut show Saturday, June 12th, will merely remember the heat in the cage! The West Bend Tennis Center was the place to be with a card full of 9 fights including 3 Pro matches, and even a Kung Fu demonstration during intermission, and fight fans came out big despite other local events that night. 

For their debut show, Budo Fights did it right starting with a safe and family friendly environment as well as bringing in big name local sponsors like Thriftway, Smart Shopper, Oasis Spa, Wellness Doctor, and more to include Summit Saloon who hosted the weigh ins and after party. There was Bone Yard Beer available, some Mexican food fare and of course the exciting fights! The show was a benefit for local Golden Gloves boxer Jovina Median who sustained a brain injury, with a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales being donated. MMA has always had a welcoming fan base in Bend and it certainly showed by the filled seats and VIP tables. On hand were special guests, UFC veteran Ed Herman and WEC veteran Dave Jansen, who were both scheduled to run seminars the next day. 

In addition to the screens playing live video and highlight replays, the show could also be seen streamed online at nwfightscene.com - a rarity but a very welcome one from the production.

The 9-fight card brought in teams from all over Oregon such as NW Warriors, Team Quest, Arsenal Combat, Third Eye Jiu-Jitsu, and more proving for a diverse outcome of brawls with only one actually going the distance to decision! All 3 Pro fights were crowd pleasing and explosive ending in the first round. In the Main Event of the evening professional Mark Manning found the choke after being ground and pounded by Jon Maryanski. 

In the fight of the night Bend native Greg Carlson from Team REACT came up just short versus a very tough Bill Lehman from Team Quest in Gresham Oregon 29-28 on all three judges scorecards.

Runner up for Fight of the Night was Shorty Weikel out of NW Warriors, an amateur champion in multiple organizations, making his debut pro fight versus a very tough and well rounded Frankie Mendez, who in his own right was a champion in an amateur organization and had some pro fights under his belt. This fight was explosive to say the least and although Frankie Mendez had superior position early in the fight by taking Shorty's back, Shorty found the backdoor, reversed Frankie and needed little time on top to secure the kimura to armbar transition to bring home his first professional win.

Knockout of the Night honors come to Carlos Mondragon from Bend's own Oregon Kickboxing Academy. Mike Doherty of Team Quest came out and set the pace landing big shots and at one point landing a knee to the mid-section of Carlos and a right hand that sent him to the ground that had referee Hopi Jenkins about to stop the fight. Carlos found his guard and survived to round 2 where after coming up on the receiving end of some big punches and knees by Mike Doherty, Carlos worked the tie, delivered a knee to Mike's mid-section that doubled him over, then fired another knee right up the middle past the defenses of Mike to land right on the chin that dropped him to the canvas in a heap! 

Budo Fights is set to be rumbling the cage again on August 21st so make sure to get your tickets online at budofights.com or from the local sponsors once they go on sale. Come out and support your fighters and the sport of MMA as Budo Fights brings it big in Bend!

RESULTS AND PLAY BY PLAY

Bout 1 - Heavyweight

Jared Mathews (248.5 lbs, Ind) vs Andy Duncan (259.5 lbs, NW Warriors)
Rd1: Touch up in center cage and the fight is on! Andy steps in for a right hand and Jared is having none of it, drops down shoots in and takes Andy back to the cage in Andy's corner. Andy bounces off the cage and Jared turns the corner and he is in Andy's guard. Andy is moving out well throwing his right leg way over the top of Jared's body in guard and looks to be trying to get out the side. Jared passes to side control and gets posture back and has Andy knee checking the full mount. Jared looking for full mount and gets back to Andy's guard just for a second then passes to side and to full mount. Jared lands 3-4 bombs and Andy turns to his stomach. Jared in good position and is looking for the RNC. Andy fighting it off well and tries to get to his knees but Jared drops him to his hip. Jared still on Andy's back and is still working the RNC, Andy is punching and lands a few shots to Jared's head. Jared puts Andy back on his stomach and lands some more big shots.. Ref Hopi is looking close as Jared is landing even more shots to Andy's head. Andy is starting to slow down and seems to be settling for flattened out on the mat. Andy turns to Jared in full mount and Jared is landing more shots. Andy flattens out again and Jared turns on the heat and lands more shots forcing Andy to tap. 
Jared Mathews def Andy Duncan by Tap to Strikes @ 2:39 Rd1

Bout 2 - 170 lbs

 Carlos Mondragon (Oregon Kickboxing Academy) vs Mike Doherty (Team Quest)
Rd1: Fighters come out off the touch and get to business. Carlos landing a jab and kick and Mike responding with a right hand. Carlos steps in for another right hand and Mike puts him to the fence where he lands 2-3 clean knees to Carlos' midsection. Carlos gets off the cage and Mike loads up and lands a good right, Carlos is trying to get separation on the feet but Mike stays on him pushing the pace. Mike circles him again and puts him on the cage looking for knees and sneaks one in. Carlos reverses position on the cage and gets off, Mike is in his corner on the cage now, Carlos is going to the body and lands a knee of his own. Mike goes for a single leg but Carlos defends and reverses position on the cage again. Mike lands BIG KNEE in his corner as Carlos pushes off the cage and steps back and lands a HUGE right hand that drops Carlos to the canvas!! Ref Hopi Jenkins goes to step in but sees that Carlos is responding on the ground and steps back out as Mike drops 3 big right hands as Carlos is coming back to the fight. Carlos gets his guard back but is still in Mikes corner with his head on the cage. Mike working left and right hands to Carlos's head now but Carlos is starting to defend well. Carlos sucks Mike in and Ref Hopi calls for action. Carlos is getting a breather and getting his wits back and controlling posture well. Mike is trying to get separation to throw again but Carlos is keeping him down. Mike postures and moves to side as Carlos is trying for a triangle. Mike has seen enough and wants this back on the feet! Carlos stands up to the approval of the crowd and the two touch gloves again and get back to business! Mike closes in as Carlos lands a good jab. Mike lands a leg kick and right hand as the round ends.

Rd2: Fighters circle, Mike is loading with the right hand lets it fly and just comes up short, Carlos steps in to fire a leg kick that's partially caught and Mike lands a right hand as he moves in and puts Carlos on the cage. Round and round the two go and Mike again puts Carlos back to the cage in Mike's corner. Mike drops for a double on the cage but Carlos defends well with underhooks and sucks him back up. Mike switches to a single leg lifts Carlos and slams him to the mat in Mike's own corner. Carlos is defending well off his back again in guard. Mike tries to pass guard and Carlos adjusts and turns off the cage and gets guard back. Mike postures up and grabs the cage and lands a hard right to Carlos head. Ref Hopi stops the action as the fence grab was illegal and takes away Mike's position and stands the two up. Fighters circle again and Mike steps in to throw left right again and Carlos ties him up. Carlos has Mike in a neck tie and delivers a HARD knee to Mike's stomach that bends him over, another knee to his head that lands right on the chin and Mike goes down!! Carlos follows with right left right left and Ref Hopi has seen enough as Mike looks to just be covering and maybe not all there.
Carlos Mondragon def Mike Doherty by TKO (Strikes) @ 1:42 Rd2

Bout 3 - 170 lbs

Brandon Nunn (NW Warriors) vs Josh Stalcup (3rd Eye Jiu-Jitsu)
Rd1: Fighters come out off the touch and measure up. Both circling and both land leg kicks that hurt. Brandon looks aggressive and steps in swinging, Josh steps under and puts Brandon on the cage and down to guard with Brandon's head on the cage. Brandon holding on to a guillotine as josh moves to full mount. Josh landing some strikes and postures up as Brandon is holding on hiding the head. Josh postures up again and Brandon rolls to his stomach, Josh puts in hooks and flattens him out and lands some leather. Ref Hopi sees a shot to the back of the head and stands the two back up, no point taken. Brandon is recovered quickly and action is back on! Josh comes straight out as Brandon goes to throw hands again, ducks under and puts Brandon back on the cage and down to full mount. Josh landing leather again, being cautious not to hit the back of the head. Lifts Brandon's chin, sinks in a RNC and gets the tap. 
Josh Stalcup def Brandon Nunn by Rear Naked Choke @ 2:03 Rd 1

Bout 4 - 155 lbs

Tyler Setzer (NW Warriors) vs Shams Mousassoui (Next Level)
Rd1: No touch, Tyler comes right out to strike but Shams has none of it as he drops in for a double leg, elevates and slams Tyler in a neutral corner. Tyler holding on well but Shams is in side control. Tyler trying to guard the full mount with a leg up but Shams is content in side landing right hammer fists and punches to Tyler's head. Tyler scrambles as Shams lands strikes to the back of Tyler's head. Ref Hopi separates the two and stands them up. Tyler is ready for action and action resumes mid cage. Tyler comes out lands a left hand and Shams responds with a hard leg kick to Tyler's lead leg. Tyler steps back and looks to be loading up his hands but Shams steps in for a double leg that's deep, elevates and drops Tyler in his own corner on the cage. Straight to side control and Tyler is holding the head. Tyler lets go of the head and turns to stand as Shams is right on him and takes his back and delivers some leather to Tyler's head. Tyler again looking to stand but Shams is on him, rolls to side and Tyler flattens out again. Shams is in side with Tyler standing up on the cage, Tyler loads a BIG left hand that just misses!! Had that left hand landed it could have been game over! Shams closes the distance again, uses the cage steps in and under, elevates Tyler and slams him to the mat! Tyler guarding for full mount but Shams takes it anyways, Shams jumps all the way across and is looking for an arm triangle but Tyler turns to his stomach out of it, and back to his feet!! Tyler loads up again and just misses as Shams takes him down again! Tyler in full mount, Shams landing leather to Tyler's head, Tyler hiding his head as 10 second clicker goes off and stands up!! Shams drops him to the mat again and postures as the bell sounds!!

Rd2: Tyler comes right out and lands a left as Shams gets hit, steps back and right back into Tyler, puts him on the cage and double leg down again in neutral corner. Shams on top back position and landing leather again. Tyler is covering. Shams landing more leather as Ref Hopi is looking closely!! Tyler fires up and turns into Shams again and Shams puts him on the cage and drops him to the mat again!! Shams has the back again and lands some shots, Tyler looks hurt and Ref Hopi steps in and stops the action!!
Shams Mousassoui def Tyler Setzer by TKO (Strikes) @ 0:45 Rd 2

Bout 5 - 170 lbs

Greg Carlson (Team REACT) vs Bill Lehman (Team Quest)
Rd1: No touch, Bill comes right out and lands a right hand. Greg backs up and Bill pursues and lands a quick right left combo. Greg steps back and comes in for a left jab, Bill steps in and fires off a 4 punch left right left right combo that land on the button. Bill follows with an uppercut that has Greg covering now and going backwards, Bill presses on landing a 8 punch combo as Greg gets separation with his long body and circles out. Assault continues by Bill as Greg is looking to tie up but cant quite get a hold on Bill. Bill firing off more hands, Greg now responding and starting to land his own shots to Bills head. Bill presses in again and they have a 4 second slugfest, both landing hard left and right hands to each others heads!! Bill now steps back to get distance and looks to want to work a more calculated game instead of turning this fight into a brawl. Greg steps in to throw a jab, Bill ducks under and puts Greg down in Greg's corner against the fence. Greg with double over hooks and Bill looks a bit stuck. Greg holding on. Bill frees his left hand and lands some shots to Greg's head. Greg sweeps Bill and is in full mount but can not posture up!! Bill holding on tight from bottom, trying to get his guard back. Greg landing only small shots as Bill gets guard back, pushes off Greg and stands back up. Greg with a leg kick, bill back in with a left right combo. Both are exchanging again in center cage, they both land big and Bill steps in and looks to shoot as Greg side steps and throws a lateral drop and ends up in Bills guard on the ground!! Bill doing well to keep posture and prevent any damage. Greg is trying to throw but not every effective against Bills guard. Greg postures up and Bill lands a shot from the bottom as Greg lands his own from top as the round ends!!

Rd2: Center cage; Bill comes out fires off a right left, high kick, left right that all land on Greg but no damage as Greg is covering well Greg steps back and the two are circling again. Bill lands another right hand as Greg steps in for a left. Bill steps in for a body lock takedown as Greg again steps out and lateral drops him. Bill is on his back controlling posture well, avoiding damage. Greg tied up and Bill is now landing decent leather to Greg's head off the bottom. Greg is fighting to get posture but Bill is doing very well to control it. Greg gets separation for a second and lands a shot but Bill sucks him back down. Greg now has Bills head against the fence in his own corner as Bill uses the fence to stand up, steps into Greg and reverses!! Greg on his back, double overhoook ties. Bill is working hands free. Bill goes to throw right hand but Greg is defending well. Bill lands shots to Greg's ribs. Bill in 1/2 and Greg gets full guard back. Bill is fighting to get an arm free to throw as the round ends. 

Rd3: Greg comes out aggressive landing a few jabs as Bill steps back. Bill lands leg kick as Greg responds with a right hook to Bills head. Bill steps out with a big right hand and is landing BIG now, uppercut left right uppercut hook. Greg looks a bit stunned but Bill doesn't look to have the gas to finish. Greg fires back and Bill is now going back, Goes for the tie up but Greg shakes him off.. Bill shoots in again and Greg again lateral drops Bill down. Greg in Bills guard. Bill working well off his back but Greg gets posture and lands 5-6 big shots to Bills head!! Bill sucks him back down. Bill doing well now with arm and posture control and climbs up with his legs for a triangle. Greg sits up a bit and Bills legs go back to guard. Ref Hopi stands them up for action!! Center cage action again as Bill is sticking his left hand out just enough to load with the right and lands 3 big right hands that Greg wants no part of. Bill steps in to the hips and Greg goes to the lateral drop well too many times, Bill is wise to it, postures out and almost falls on top of Greg in full mount!! Greg gets guard back. Bill trying to posture, Greg looking for a triangle. Ten second clicker goes off as Greg has almost a triangle sunk!!
Bill Lehman def Greg Carlson by Unanimous Decision (All judges 29-28)

Bout 6 - 140 lbs

Josh Roebuck (NW Warriors) vs Benny Vinson (3rd Eye Jiu-Jitsu)
Rd1: Benny out hard as Josh steps back loads with a right hand, steps in to land and Benny is under him in a flash for an elevated double leg slam in his own corner!! Benny postures up to throw but grabs the fence in doing so and Ref Hopi separates them but no point is taken! Action restarts as Josh goes to kick but Benny beats him to it and takes Josh off his feet!! Benny closes and Josh gives his back, Benny sinks the RNC and gets the tap as they hit the ground!
Benny Vinson def Josh Roebuck by Rear Naked Choke @ 0:31 Rd 1

Bout 7 - 140 lbs PRO

Shorty Weikel (NW Warriors) vs Frankie Mendez (Arsenal Fight Team)
Rd1: No touch and the fight is on. Both come out and exchange jabs that miss. Frankie steps back comes with a right hand lead in and drops and runs Shorty backwards to the cage. Frankie body lock on cage drops Shorty to his back. Frankie full mount on Shorty as Shorty turns to his stomach!! Frankie on his back but is too high, Shorty basing out well and Frankie sucks back and is trying for position. Shorty reverses and is in Frankie's guard. Frankie holding on well and Shorty is landing small elbows and some punches to Frankie's head. Shorty gets 1/2 and is landing again, Frankie fighting well off the bottom to get guard. Shorty jumps to north/south and back to side as Frankie looks to alligator-roll out of it but no dice. Frankie in sides landing small elbows to Frankie's head. Shorty jumps to full mount and Frankie gets enough space to try to sweep but Shorty has good posture and stays on top, now on Frankie's back, Shorty has Frankie's arm, looking to kimura, Frankie turns out of it and Shorty goes with it, extending the arm into an armbar, Frankie rolls through it well and Shorty goes to superchange the armbar but gets the tap before he can even sit up on it!! 
Shorty Weikel def Frankie Mendez by Armbar @ 2:32 Rd 1

Bout 8 - 185 lb PRO

Nick Krusmark (Ind) vs Peter Aspinwall (Next Level) 
Rd1: Nick out hard. Peter closing in and Nick rushes him, putting his back on the cage. Nick working hard and drops Peter to his back in Peter's own corner against the cage with a double leg. Nick posturing well and lands a couple shots as Peter explodes up and stands and turns into Nick and drops him down. Peter on top in north/south on Nick and then to side control, Nick is turning and Peter jumps to full mount and lands shots, Nick turns and gives his back as Peter pounds him out from behind!!
Peter Aspinwall def Nick Krusmark by Tap to Strikes @ 1:37 Rd 1

Bout 9 - 135 lbs PRO

Mark Manning (Team Megaton) vs Jon Maryanski (West Coast Fight Team) 
Rd1: Jon comes in fires off some hands and looks for the shot on Mark, Mark does well and circles out landing some leather and going back to the fence. Jon keeps coming forward and gets into Marks hips, big elevation and HUGE SLAM!! Mark is doing well to control posture and Jon is landing some shots of his own off the bottom!! Jon still trying to deliver some damage off the top but is coming up short on everything he is doing. Mark circles off his back uses the fence and stands up!! Jon's head is still down, Mark throws on the guillotine and sits back in full guard!! Jon trying to punch out of it but Mark is keeping him centered well. Jon looks to pass to side to ease up on the guillotine but Mark is having none of it!! Mark sits back again and squeezes the DEEP guillotine and gets the tap!!!
Mark Manning def Jon Maryanski by Guillotine Choke @ 1:41 Rd 1