By Adam Holloway
MQT Social Scene Sports
Jordan Seufzer was worried about his jiu jitsu in his training for the Lights Out Fights: Redemption main event, so the fighter dedicated extra practice time for the grappling and ground discipline.
"(Jiu jitsu) is my weak belt," Seufzer said. "I wanted to do something stand up, but it was perfect on takedowns and perfect on timing, so I went with the best options."
That extra practice paid off, as Seufzer defeated MQT-local Jeremy Nelson for the Light Heavyweight championship by armbar submission.
MQT Social Scene Sports
Jordan Seufzer was worried about his jiu jitsu in his training for the Lights Out Fights: Redemption main event, so the fighter dedicated extra practice time for the grappling and ground discipline.
"(Jiu jitsu) is my weak belt," Seufzer said. "I wanted to do something stand up, but it was perfect on takedowns and perfect on timing, so I went with the best options."
That extra practice paid off, as Seufzer defeated MQT-local Jeremy Nelson for the Light Heavyweight championship by armbar submission.
"I trained on a few special things I needed to do and had to dominate. Jeremy (Nelson) is a tough opponent and I knew I had to be tougher and work harder," Seufzer said.
Nelson started the match with a powerful body shot but after that it was all Seufzer who took Nelson down to the mat and maintained control for the rest of the first round. Nelson was able to maintain a ground defense to slow the fight down, but Seufzer won the first round. The second round started out with Seufzer charging to Nelson right away and slamming him hard to the mat. Seufzer then was able to maintain his ground and pound presence from the first round, controlling the match from the ground but was just barely able to work past the defenses of Nelson.
The third round also began with a takedown by Seufzer. Nelson worked the legs more this time, but his escape attempt allowed Seufzer to regrip. Seufzer locked the arm to become the new champion.
With championship belt in hand and a 17-7 record, Seufzer announced in an exclusive post fight interview with MQT Social Scene that he plans on moving to a professional circuit.
"I was getting a lot of people asking 'when you gonna go pro, when you gonna go pro?' and I'm like 'as soon as I get my belt.' There is tremendous emotion that comes with this belt," Seufzer said, currently with Total Devastation. "I'm looking for a pro fight and anyone that wants to take me on, I'm ready to show I'm definitely a person to want in any big promotion."
Nelson started the match with a powerful body shot but after that it was all Seufzer who took Nelson down to the mat and maintained control for the rest of the first round. Nelson was able to maintain a ground defense to slow the fight down, but Seufzer won the first round. The second round started out with Seufzer charging to Nelson right away and slamming him hard to the mat. Seufzer then was able to maintain his ground and pound presence from the first round, controlling the match from the ground but was just barely able to work past the defenses of Nelson.
The third round also began with a takedown by Seufzer. Nelson worked the legs more this time, but his escape attempt allowed Seufzer to regrip. Seufzer locked the arm to become the new champion.
With championship belt in hand and a 17-7 record, Seufzer announced in an exclusive post fight interview with MQT Social Scene that he plans on moving to a professional circuit.
"I was getting a lot of people asking 'when you gonna go pro, when you gonna go pro?' and I'm like 'as soon as I get my belt.' There is tremendous emotion that comes with this belt," Seufzer said, currently with Total Devastation. "I'm looking for a pro fight and anyone that wants to take me on, I'm ready to show I'm definitely a person to want in any big promotion."
The Seufzer-Nelson fight was the main event of an 11-fight card, featuring 8 mixed martial arts contests and three kickboxing bouts. Lights Out Fights by promoter Chris Skoglund provided the first MMA fights in MQT this year. Fighters from multiple gyms including US Muay Thai, Up North MMA and Silverback MMA. Before the fights began the evening’s card was changed after kickboxer Mike Hatton suffered an ACL injury during warmups. Donnie Lang Smith was then moved from his fight against Jon Skenandore to the opening fight against Silverback MMA member Francois Marin. Smith dominated the fight, winning by rear naked choke. | UNPRECEDENTED SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE MQT Social Scene revolutionized the experience of MMA fights in the Upper Peninsula with unheard social media coverage to provide the big professional coverage usually found in big cities and big fights. Writer Adam Holloway live tweeted the entire fight card on the MQT Social Scene Twitter feed, while Editor in Chief Brice Burge provided the only coverage of the weigh ins on Instagram. Both used the hashtag #LOFMMA for fans to recap the night. |
Match two was a debut match for both UP North MMA member Cory Sampogna and Alex Andervivet from Silverback MMA. While this match would be the longest of the night, going almost the entire three rounds, Andervivet was in control of this match from the start. Landing punch after punch, Andervivet cut Sampogna before the end of the first round.
Round two followed suit with Andervivet landing a massive spinning backhand to Sampogna. Sampogna would make one last effort to try to take control taking Andervivet down to the mat but Andervivet’s ground training would pay off. With 20 seconds remaining in the final round, referee Jeff Mace ended the fight by TKO as Sampogna was unable to defend himself to the barrage dealt by Andervivet.
The first kickboxing match of the night put Casey Sundstrom up against Eric Lang. Lang came out swinging only to fall victim by a vicious right kick to the head by Sundstrom, knocking Lang out while sending Lakeview Arena into a frenzy. Lang was able to regain consciousness in time for the official decision but was visibly shaken on his way back to the locker room.
Round two followed suit with Andervivet landing a massive spinning backhand to Sampogna. Sampogna would make one last effort to try to take control taking Andervivet down to the mat but Andervivet’s ground training would pay off. With 20 seconds remaining in the final round, referee Jeff Mace ended the fight by TKO as Sampogna was unable to defend himself to the barrage dealt by Andervivet.
The first kickboxing match of the night put Casey Sundstrom up against Eric Lang. Lang came out swinging only to fall victim by a vicious right kick to the head by Sundstrom, knocking Lang out while sending Lakeview Arena into a frenzy. Lang was able to regain consciousness in time for the official decision but was visibly shaken on his way back to the locker room.
The contender fight pitted undefeated MQT-native Jared Erickson up against Doug Tinor, a last-minute replacement to the card. Erickson took command right away with a leg sweep that made contact with the left knee of Tinor. Erickson went to work landing multiple kicks to the left leg of Tinor, enough to the point that referee Jeff Mace stopped the fight for the TKO.
After the fight, Skoglund announced to the crowd that the now 6-0 Erickson would be challenging for the title in October at the Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace. His opponent is to be determined.
Connor Moore also represented MQT well as he faced Jon Maigatter. Less than a minute into the first round, Moore put Maigatter into a rear naked choke for the quick tap out and win.
The second kickboxing match of the night put another MQT fighter in the cage, as Harrison Dehlin faced DeMarco Stokes.
“I had a mix of butterflies and anxiety to get into the ring and prove myself,” Dehlin said. “The crowd really gave me a boost and having my family in attendance really made a difference.”
After the fight, Skoglund announced to the crowd that the now 6-0 Erickson would be challenging for the title in October at the Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace. His opponent is to be determined.
Connor Moore also represented MQT well as he faced Jon Maigatter. Less than a minute into the first round, Moore put Maigatter into a rear naked choke for the quick tap out and win.
The second kickboxing match of the night put another MQT fighter in the cage, as Harrison Dehlin faced DeMarco Stokes.
“I had a mix of butterflies and anxiety to get into the ring and prove myself,” Dehlin said. “The crowd really gave me a boost and having my family in attendance really made a difference.”
Dehlin of US Muay Thai won in the first round after a kick to the face caused Stokes of Silverback MMA to resign. “I expected getting rushed by him (Stokes) from the first moment but I waited for the right moment to throw in a head kick,” Dehlin said. “I wish I would have made (the fight) last longer for the crowd; I had nine minutes to work with and I ended it in the first. It was a surreal feeling to get my first win.” | WATCH: Stokes vs Dehlin (video courtesy of Katelyn Dehlin) |
Trevor Hicks and Dylan Haines faced off at the 170-pound weight class. The fight started out with a banging slam right away as Haines threw Hicks to the mat then landed repeated body shots to the ribcage. Hicks was able to break free and return the favor, taking Haines down to end the first round.
The second round began with Haines pinning Hicks against the cage and landing nearly 15 consecutive knees to the same ribcage he had been working on in the first. Shortly thereafter Haines landed two quick shots to the head of Hicks for the win.
The second round began with Haines pinning Hicks against the cage and landing nearly 15 consecutive knees to the same ribcage he had been working on in the first. Shortly thereafter Haines landed two quick shots to the head of Hicks for the win.
SLIDESHOW: View the photos of the weigh ins from the MQT Social Scene Instagram page. | The second round began with Haines pinning Hicks against the cage and landing nearly 15 consecutive knees to the same ribcage he had been working on in the first. Shortly thereafter Haines landed two quick shots to the head of Hicks for the win. At a combined weight of almost 600 pounds, the super heavyweight bout looked to be an all-out slug fest. However, it was not to be as the 300-pound Nick Vollum took down opponent Matthew Taft right away and began a ground-and-pound offensive until Taft tapped out. |
The heavyweight kickboxing match between Adam Hrabik of Silverback MMA and Bryan Reynolds of US Muay Thai helped fill that void left from the super heavyweight bout. Reynolds scored his first knockdown with a solid right jab to the face. After a standing eight count, Hrabik was visibly shaken but went right back after Reynolds. Reynolds used outside punches to get Hrabik to spread his arms out in defense until Reynolds reset and landed a haymaker through the uprights for the knockout just seconds before the end of the first round.
"Coaches were telling me to throw body kicks and straight punches and it worked out for me," Reynolds said. "(Hrabik) was a tough opponent with some hard punches."
US Muay Thai went 5-1 on the night, losing only the championship fight. Silverback MMA lost all of their fights. MQT fighters lost only one fight: Nelson's championship fight to Seuzfer.
Editor's Note: Interviews with Reynolds and Seuzfer were done by Brice Burge.
Adam Holloway is a new writer to MQT Social Scene. He can be reached through his Twitter or through the MQT Social Scene about us page.
"Coaches were telling me to throw body kicks and straight punches and it worked out for me," Reynolds said. "(Hrabik) was a tough opponent with some hard punches."
US Muay Thai went 5-1 on the night, losing only the championship fight. Silverback MMA lost all of their fights. MQT fighters lost only one fight: Nelson's championship fight to Seuzfer.
Editor's Note: Interviews with Reynolds and Seuzfer were done by Brice Burge.
Adam Holloway is a new writer to MQT Social Scene. He can be reached through his Twitter or through the MQT Social Scene about us page.
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