After a rare quiet weekend in the Ohio Valley with no MMA events, the action ramps back up this first weekend of September, as Ohio has two events to ease us into what promises to be a busy fall slate of fights.
The key word this week is consistency, as two of the most consistent promotions in Ohio have offerings, including Northwest Ohio’s IT Fight Series and Northeast Ohio’s Explosive Fight Promotions. The two events are drastically different in their makeup, however, as the IT Fight Series show promises quality over quantity, with just nine fights on the slate. EFP, however, has a full bill, topping out at the 16 total fights that is the limit in Ohio.
Without further ado, here’s the schedule for this weekend:
IT Fight Series 28 (Findlay, OH)
IT Fight Series returns to its home base at The Cube in Findlay with yet another pro/am card, this time offering a pair of pro bouts to go along with seven amateur pairings. The Smith brothers, longtime Northwest Ohio veterans and favorites, will compete in the night’s two pro bouts.
In the main event, Jeff Smith (1-1) takes on Mike Velazquez (3-1) for the third time, while Steve Smith (5-8) faces Indiana’s Ryan McIntosh (12-23) in the co-feature. Smith and Velazquez will square off in their rubber match, as Velazquez topped Smith via submission in an amateur bout in 2012, while Smith got his revenge with a knockout victory in pro action a year ago that stands as the lone loss on Velazquez’s record. McIntosh looks to improve on his 2-1 record thus far in 2014, as he takes on Smith who made his pro boxing debut last month. Steve Smith is just 1-7 in his last eight MMA bouts.
In the top amateur billing, Travis Davis (5-0) will look to stay perfect as he faces Bryan Howe (7-7). Other notables include Brice Kellem (7-3), who returns from an extended layoff, and Justin Hill (4-3).
EFP: Rumble at Ridgewood (West Lafayette, OH)
Explosive Fight Promotions, one of Ohio’s most consistent organizations, heads to West Lafayette for Rumble at Ridgewood, featuring an amateur lineup, including 3 title fights. In the main event, heavyweight champ Jesse Maloy (6-2) will look to defend his title against Ray Hollis (3-1). Maloy is on a 4-fight winning streak, including 3 straight stoppages. He won the EFP heavyweight title with a first round submission over Brett Spinelli at Caged Madness 28 in April. Hollis, meanwhile, has earned 2 straight victories, and 2 of his 3 wins are via TKO.
Also on the card, rising star and Isaiah Chapman training partner Josh Rohler (4-0) will look to stay perfect when he takes on Coy Bissett (5-2) for the EFP lightweight title. Rohler has stormed onto the scene in 2014, earning his first 3 victories in a combined 2:26 before earnin a split decision over Chris Teague in July. Bissett, meanwhile, hasn’t competed since 2011, but 4 of his 5 victories are via stoppage. The night’s other title fight will feature Fight Club Pittsburgh’s Ryan Arreola (4-0) taking on Tim Isaac (4-3) for the featherweight crown. A total of 16 bouts are slated, so it should be a full night of fights.
Be sure to return to BluegrassMMA.com early next week for full results from all of this weekend’s action.