Fittingly named “Cupid’s Chokehold,” February’s AFC 44 goes down Wednesday Feb. 20th at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, AK.  Headlining the card is a match between former middleweight champion Charles Karron (8-5) and young, up-and-comer Rolando Dominique (2-0).  The winner of the bout will earn top contendership in the division, and look to challenge champion Ricky Shivers (5-3-1) in either May or June.

Karron and Dominique have never squared off before, but they aren’t strangers either.  They were scheduled to face off in the past, but sickness prevented Dominique from fighting. “It was supposed to happen a year ago, but I got mono and had to bail out,” Dominique said.

In preparation for that cancelled fight, Karron’s trainer Rob Couture watched and scoured video looking for weaknesses in the game of the 6’2” Dominique—and feels that Karron has more than one way to win.  “We’ve lost more fights that Rolando’s had.  He comes forward real aggressive, but it gets him in trouble.  We have the advantage everywhere.”

Well prepared as he may be, Karron realizes there’s no reason to cater to his opponent’s strength; trading hands on the feet.  Although Karron’s record is spotted with some of the AFC’s fastest KO wins, it’s no secret the former Norwich University wrestler excels when his opponent is scrambling to pull guard.  “I think I have the advantage everywhere on the ground…wrestling, jiu-jitsu. I have respect for his hands; he’s gone at a couple of guys. And I’m not really known as a standup rock ‘em, sock ‘em kind of guy, more GnP, but I got some KO’s too.”

The versatility that the former champ has displayed over his 13 career fights has impressed his younger opponent.  The ability to finish fights from everywhere doesn’t come as a result of just talent, but also hard work.  “He’s a really mature fighter and in experience, he has a decent advantage,” says Dominique. 

Karron most certainly does, but Dominique feels he’s minimized the difference in experience by surrounding himself with a new team. “You know, I see the problem, so I can fix it. It’s not the biggest advantage [for him].  We started our own gym at the community center, we call it Fairbanks MMA. It’s a good atmosphere, everyone wants to be there.”

If there’s one area of the fight that might be the key for either combatant, it’s the cardio department.  Karron only has one lung and despite having thirteen fights, just one has gone beyond the first round.  Dominique has not been known for being longwinded either, and even he’ll admit that. But, he has been working on it specifically, along with training habits tailored in the mold of “Superman” Karron. “I know he’s a wrestler who likes to clinch, so I’ve been rolling with bigger guys,” Dominique said.

Karron and his team speak of weathering the initial storm that Dominique usually brings in the first two minutes; a stiff assault as he comes forward throwing leather.  There’s no sense of urgency or imminent danger as Karron calmly explains, “He comes out powerful and aggressive.  He’s an up-and-comer, and I want the best competition. I’d love to get another shot for the belt.” 

Both of these 185lbers are hungry for a shot at the belt, and willing to do anything to get that fight.  The bull’s-eye falls on the back of Ricky Shivers.  Shivers last fought in Hawaii in the X-1 middleweight tournament.   After a decisive first round TKO win, he lost to Hawaiian superstar Falaniko Vitale after a flying knee opened up a three inch gash on his forehead.

Just days away from showtime, Ricky and everyone in attendance will soon know who will be challenging for the belt come late spring.  Regardless of who goes home the victor, it’s a guarantee that both Karron and Dominique will be leaving it all in the cage. They both want the belt, and despite the Valentine’s Day holiday and mutual respect, there will be no love lost when the bell sounds.

Our very own John McKiernan contributes to our site from the great state of Alaska and has an unique look inside the MMA scene in the great northern wilderness. 

With AFC 43 just a few days away, the fight card underwent drastic changes from top to bottom.  The biggest blow dealt was the loss of half of the main event just 48 hours from showtime.  Julio Paulino was forced to withdraw due to a detached retina, and Blake Mastin was suddenly left without an opponent.

Not to be outdone, Mastin reportedly missed his plane and consequentially the show in its entirety.  Less high profile mishaps dotted the card, but none were as devastating as the absences of Paulino and Mastin.  A last minute main event was signed onto the card, a non-title bout featuring Heavyweight champ Bryan Ryan and Josh Ofiu. 

Ryan pulled off a win in commanding fashion, and high energy fights rounded out the card nicely. At the end of the night there’s no doubt that the AFC brass breathed a collective sigh of relief after the patchwork card riddled with AFC rookies.  Ryan, the first-timers and the AFC itself proved the validity of the old adage ‘better late than never.’

Ryan (13-3) def. Ofiu (2-1)

Bryan Ryan is no secret when it comes to Alaskan fans.  The boxing specialist has been knocking out opponents for what seems like decades in the Anchorage area.  Entering the fight there was no doubt he was the favorite, and the confidence was evident in the Grace Barra fighter’s body language. 

The much younger and less experienced Ofiu should be commended for taking the fight when it was offered to him.  Nicknamed the “Silent Monster”, the Anchorage fighter is deaf but you would never be able to tell by his ability to throwdown.  Also, let me say that to tackle an opponent the caliber of Ryan on such short notice speaks volumes about his fortitude.

That being said, when the bell rang it was all Ryan.  After Ofiu threw a few wild kicks Ryan began stalking his prey around the cage like a seasoned vet, staying calm and methodical. “I was waiting for the kicks, he got me once,” Ryan said. “I wanted to time him, figure him out.  I’m too old to get crazy.”

As the fight moved around the cage, the right and left hooks began to accumulate.  Ryan landed a snapping body kick, and followed up with a more hooks before Ofiu signaled to the referee he’d had enough.  The crowd was shocked at the sudden ending, but Ryan took the mike and explained, “The kick to the body hurt him.  He took a couple of shots [afterward], but the kick is what did it. “

The eighth straight AFC win by the champ was impressive, and for the time being it appears the belt will be his as long as he wants.  There doesn’t appear to be anyone ready to stand and bang with Ryan.

MMA-Analyst.com is looking to expand our view on the MMA scene and look at organizations that have fed the UFC and other organizations over the years. Primarily, our contributing writer, John McKiernan, has a geographical advantage in a sense. He is based in Anchorage, AK and recently attended an AFC event in the area. As he notes in this article, the UFC has some prime AFC veterans who made the transition down to the UFC and has in some instances, impressed even in defeat. Check out John's coverage of the AFC, and we will hopefully have a few pieces regarding some upcoming fighters in the AFC, their trainers, and the quality of talent coming out of Alaska.

Jesus Rivera Captures LHW Belt at AFC 42

Every fighter begins their career on the regional level, fighting in promotions that receive no national coverage or cable-TV hype.  Seriously, even Matt Hughes fought in obscurity in the now defunct Jeet-Kune-Do Challenge. Unlike that dinosaur of a promotion, the Alaska Fighting Championship just went over the hill with 40+ events and is still going strong. Having already turned out the UFC fighters Doug Evans, Justin Buchholz (also ICON lightweight champ) and the WEC’s Scott McAfee; this promotion is no joke.  The AFC’s holiday offering on December 13th “AFC 42: MistleToe-2-Toe” had something for everybody: KOs, close fought decisions, submissions and crazy endings. A champ was crowned and the AFC proved yet again that grassroots MMA can be just as entertaining as the big-boys. 
 
Rivera Dominates En Route to Light Heavyweight Championship Win
 
Jesus Rivera (7-0) scored the largest win of his career with a third round TKO over Vatau Alenepi (2-3). The two Anchorage, AK fighters clashed, and it was Rivera who left with the previously vacant Light Heavyweight belt around his waist. Despite having a four inch height advantage, Rivera wanted the fight on the ground so he could pound out a victory. As all champs are able to do, he forced Alenepi to the mat and held him there till the end.

Immediately after the fighters touched gloves, Rivera moved Alenepi up against the cage, looking for a takedown. He got it and worked most of the first round from half-guard, pounding away on Alenepi’s ribs. Alenepi held onto his opponent’s neck tightly and kept Rivera from posturing up to strike his head.

At the outset of the second, Rivera timed an Alenepi low-kick and scored a double leg.  Alenepi simply had no answer for the Rivera’s control from top position, and was forced to endure the constant battering of his mid-section throughout the round. Midway through the third, a final takedown pushed Alenepi past his limit. Rivera drove home two huge elbows and opened a cut over Alenepi’s right eye. In response and a bit rocked, he rolled and gave up his back. The glimpse of weakness was what Rivera needed to see. He stood and began to unleash haymakers to the ribs until the referee was forced to step in and stop the contest. 

Rivera dominated the entire match and was never in any real danger.

Fonoti Looks Great In Upset Decision Win

Anchorage’s Joe Fonoti (4-4) scored an upset unanimous decision win over Mychal Clark (10-5) in the evening’s co-main event.  Fonoti last fought for the Heavyweight belt in June against the champ Brian Ryan and lost via KO.  Clark, on the other hand, was not so well rested come fight time, having fought just twelve days earlier in Purecombat.

The two fighters exchanged strikes on the feet with neither fighter out landing the other. Clark tried a spinning back-elbow twice only to miss and be greeted with a right hook to the body on both occasions. Fonoti’s hands looked much quicker. Clark eventually scored the trip takedown and won the round on ground and pound from the top.  Fonoti showed composure on the bottom, not panicking and avoiding any significant damage. 

Fonoti opened the second with a left hook that landed right on the button, dropping Clark to the mat. The hometown fighter followed up with short elbows and hammerfists, trying to end the fight.  Clark showed why he was selected as a member for the 2008 seasons IFL draft, surviving the onslaught and transitioning into a kimura.  Within seconds, the submission attempt was in deep and the fight was closer to ending than Britney Spears’ career after the most recent MTV awards.  Much improved Jiu-jitsu and submission defense enabled Fonoti to hold on until the bell rang and win the round. As the fighters headed to their corners, Clark was breathing heavily, clearly feeling the effects of his kimura attempt and Fonoti’s big left hand.

Joe must’ve seen this and came out like a man on fire in the third; battering Clark all over the ring with right hooks to the head and body. One crushing shot to the ribs forced Clark to grab for a leg and move the fight to the ground. Fonoti reversed exhausted Lomita, CA fighter’s  mount and once back on the feet landed numerous punches till the final bell rang, sealing the victory in front of a crowd who was now on their feet applauding.

Fonoti’s win launches him back up the Heavyweight ladder toward another title shot vs Ryan the KO artist.

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