MMA for MDA was a success as approx 600 people showed up in Airway Heights to support a charity event for The Muscular Dystrophy Association. Gravity Fighting put on yet another great set of fights with 9 MMA and 3 Exhibition Boxing. Only one fight went to decision and most of the fights went into the 2nd round.

Bout 1: 170 lb MMA
Cory Fleck (Debut, Monster Muscle MMA) def Chad Catron (Debut, Hit Pit MMA)

by Rear Naked Choke in Rd 2
Both these guys came out swinging right from the get go. Catron is a tall 170; standing at 6'5 he had a big reach on his opponent. Fleck for the most part never let him use the reach and quickly would clinch after each exchange. It was apparent after just a few moments that Fleck did not want to strike with Catron and he took the fight to the ground. Catron's long limbs didn't seem to help him on the ground as Fleck moved from side mount to full mount quickly. Catron escaped back to his feet and they continued to throw down at each other. Round 2 started with Catron using a jab to keep his opponent away. Fleck closed the distance and again took Catron down. He again moved quickly to mount. Catron survived for a while by tying up, but Fleck eventually started throwing bombs and ended up with a RNC when Catron tried to roll over and escape. Fleck by RNC in the 2nd round.

Bout 2: 155 lb MMA
Sean Johnson (2-4, Icon Gym) def John Yeager (8-4, United Grappling/Spirit Martial Arts) by Verbal Submission in Rd 2 
Yeager and Johnson started out throwing but Johnson quickly got a takedown. From there they both exchanged position on top and bottom. The fight went back up and Yeager continued to look for a big shot, throwing haymaker after haymaker. Round 2 started the same as the first and Johnson again got a takedown, this time the gassed Yeager had no answer and tapped out with Johnson in mount early in round 2. Johnson by verbal submission in round 2.

Bout 3: Boxing Exhibition (Both Fighters from Spokane Boxing)

Bout 4: 155 lb MMA

Arron Florez (Debut, Icon Gym) def Dylan Dione (Debut, Monster Muscle MMA) by Submission due to injury in Rd 1
These two fighters came out with knockout intentions early. Dione looked a little more polished with his standup, but Florez was looking for a power punch to land. They traded pretty much the entire first round, with lots of action but no one landing a powerful shot flush. Late in the 1st, Florez picked up Dione on a scooping double leg and slammed him to the ground. Dione landed on his elbow and immediately tapped out. It appeared that he might have separated his shoulder, but turned out it was just an injury to the elbow. Great fight with an unfortunate ending. Florez by injury tapout round 1.


Bout 5: Boxing Exhibition (Fighters from Spokane Boxing)

Bout 6: 160 lb MMA

Jeremy Dalton (6-3, Legacy) def Brett Cameron (0-1, United Grappling/Spirit MA)

Bout 7: Boxing Exhibition (Fighters from Spokane Boxing)

Bout 8: 170 lb MMA

Matt Perkins (Debut, Independent) def Justin Oliver (Debut, Icon Gym)

by Guillotine Choke in Rd 1
Perkins was a kid that is friends with another competitor and decided he would be willing to fight when Oliver's opponent dropped out last minute. This could have been a good match between guys with minimal fighting experience. The fight lasted only about 15 seconds as Perkins threw a couple punches and Oliver tied up in the clinch and took him down only to be caught in a deep guillotine. Perkins would finish the move from guard. Perkins by guillotine round 1.

Bout 9: 195 lb MMA

Neil Woodard (2-0, Icon Gym) vs. Jordan Currie (0-1, Monster Muscle MMA)

Bout 10: Heavyweight MMA

Cameron McMillan (Debut) def Matt Williams (1-3, Icon Gym) by Unanimous Decision
The only fight that would go to decision, this match was good thru all 3 rounds. In rounds 1 and 2, Williams wanted no part of the standup with the wild punch throwing McMillan. Both rounds Williams was able to get to half guard and execute a beautiful sweep to get top position on his opponent. Both guys traded ground and pound at times during the first couple of rounds. Round 3 both fighters look a little tired, but McMillan pushed the pace. This round Williams again tried to get a sweep from bottom but was unsuccessful. McMillan wins a unanimous decision in his debut. 

Bout 11: 185 lb MMA

Dustin Waterbly (Debut, Hit Pit MMA) def Justin Purnell (Debut, Icon Gym)

by Guillotine Choke @ 0:32 Rd 1
Both these fighters came out ready and it was Waterbly who would strike first. Throwing combos early, Purnell quickly tried to clinch only to each some knees. Waterbly broke the clinch and again started with some combos a couple of which seemed to land. Purnell fired back and moved to close the distance again. This time Waterbly tried for a guillotine and Purnell was able to get underneath for a big crowd pleasing slam. Waterbly held tight to the move and got to half guard. Purnell fought the attack for quite some time before Waterbly was able to synch it in a little tighter and get the tapout. The match was exciting for the limited time that they were out there. Waterbly by Guillotine 32 seconds into the 1st round.

Bout 11: 185 lb MMA

Neil Youngman (1-1-1, Icon Gym) def Tam Tran (Debut, Hit Pit MMA)

by Rear Naked Choke in Rd 2
This fight was the fight of the night. Tam Tran was making his MMA debut against a very tough Neil Youngman. Both were very accomplished strikers with Youngman being a former golden gloves boxer and Tran being a Muay Thai champ with a long list of accomplishments. The first round was a barn burner as both fighters came out ready and willing to take each others' head off. It would be Youngman that would score first with a combo, but Tran struck right back with a combo of his own and some knees from the Thai clinch. Youngman then went for a takedown and landed in Tran's guard. From there it was apparent that the Muay Thai fighter was looking to finish as he moved from armbar to armbar attempt and even displayed a little Rubber Guard action. The round would end with Tran going for another armbar as Youngman held good position and was landing punches from guard. The 2nd round both fighters looked fresh and ready to go. Again they traded on the feet with both landing solid strikes. Tran went for a spinning back fist, and even in missing got many ooohs from the crowd. Youngman again was able to get a solid takedown and this time moved from side control to mount. Tran fought for some time but Youngman was doing a great job of holding the position and landing shots from mount. Finally Tran attempted a big escape, but Youngman was too fast and got his opponent in a fight ending RNC. A great fight to end the show. Youngman by RNC round 2.