(Worcester, MA) The Crowne Plaza in Worcester, MA was the site of International Combat Entertainment’s “Doomsday” event on June 13th, 2008 and some 400+ mixed martial arts (MMA) fans witnessed a stern and focused Matt Lee earn a quick stoppage over Eddie “The Tick” Felix, of Dragon Warrior. More news worthy was Lee’s announcement after the match that he would be making his professional boxing debut just two weeks later, also in Worcester, MA.
“Boxing has always interested me,” Lee informed the audience, “Boxing is just two people, in their underwear and gloves just fighting one style to see who is tougher.”
Underwear aside, Boxing will be a new challenge for Lee sure to test his mettle and ring savvy.
Doomsday, however, was all about Muay Thai and MMA and Lee did a great job of showcasing his enormous MMA skills against an opponent in Eddie Felix who was fresh off an upset over Team Woo-MFS’s Ben Manseau and looking to capitalize on a much needed winning streak. “The Tick” came into the “Doomsday” clash confident he could pull another upset and push his MMA career into overdrive.
“There’s no doubt Matt is a great fighter,” Dragon Warrior Owner/Head Coach Steve Pento said pre-fight, “but Eddie is coming off a great win, he’s taking his training more serious, and he actually came in tonight 2lbs. under the limit.”
Lee had other plans for the night, as the well supported Worcester fighter was focused from the get-go and immediately took the action to Felix when the horn sounded. Lee took “The Tick” down with a text book double-leg and managed his way out of Felix’s guard to go for some ground and pound. The primed Felix defended the strikes well and transitioned into what looked to be a deep arm bar. Lee stayed calm, even though wincing from the pain, and lifted and shook loose from Felix’s submission attempt. The experienced Lee immediately leapt on top of Felix and grabbed the mount. Felix bucked once and Lee attempted to improve his position into a head triangle, but was unable to fully lock it in. From on top Lee was allowed to deliver four punches to Felix’s head before the referee, Chris Baxter, stepped in and ended the fight 2:14 into Round 1.
The quick stoppage fueled the fire of the partisan Lee crowd and the ballroom erupted into chants for Lee. Lee acknowledged the fan support and shook hands with Felix before dropping his professional boxing announcement on the jubilant fans.
After the fight an upset Steve Pento ruminated, “This is the Main Event, look at Eddie, you give the Main Event fighters a chance.”
Post-fight a disappointed Felix looked none the worse for wear and was consoled by teammates (Robert Morris and Josh Spearman) and by his daughter Jasmine.
“Fighter Of The Night” and “Fight Of The Night” honors were earned by Josh Raymond of Elite MMA and his fight with Austin Brow from Team Gillet. Raymond was methodical with his striking through the 3 round affair and earned a very one-sided Unanimous Decision. From start to finish Raymond attacked the face of Brow with perfect counter punching and overhand rights. Raymond dominated the fight in ever facet and at times it looked as though Brow was far tougher than smart in continuing to push forward as Raymond turned his face into a swollen, bloody mask.
The other MMA bout featured Jacob Irons, of Cerio’s Kenpo, taking on Keith Shilan, of Elite MMA in a Lightweight contest. The match started off quickly for Shilan as he repeatedly took Irons to the canvas, although he was unable to mount a lot of offense or secure a quick submission. The second round saw a tired Irons resort to some questionable tactics as he simultaneously touched gloves and thrust a side body kick to Shilan which landed with a thunderous clap. Unfazed Shilan stuck to his game plan and easily took Irons to the mat once more. This time Shilan found the ground game more to his liking and delivered some quick elbows and hammerfists which forced Irons to roll. As Irons attempted his roll Shilan went with the technique and found himself in the mount and delivered two strikes before the referee intervened on Irons behalf, at 1:07 of the 2nd Round.
Doomsday featured plenty of Muay Thai action and was punctuated by a Superfight pitting Brian Pratt, of Team Gillet, against Kurt Parisi, of Team Jay Burk. Parisi entered the fight looking in great shape while Pratt was his usual awkward self. Early in the first round Pratt used his unique offense to keep Parisi at bay as he used overhand rights, spinning back kicks, and timely front kicks as his calling card. Parisi resorted to his brute strength to clinch with Pratt and deliver what looked to be a well placed knee to the mid-section, dropping Pratt. As Pratt went to the mat he grabbed at his groin and appeared to be in immense pain, somewhat confusing the crowd and the referee. As Referee Chris Baxter checked on Pratt he could be seen telling Pratt he judged the knee legal and began his count. Pratt crawled back to standing position and resumed the fight only to be met with one of the most vicious headkicks seen since Gabriel Gonzaga nearly decapitated Mirko Filipovic. With that the action was halted and Parisi awarded the I.C.E. Muay Thai Superfight Title!
The only other Muay Thai fight of note was when Robert Morris of Dragon Warrior agreed to be a late replacement versus Billy Connors of Boston Muay Thai. Early on everyone in attendance could see that Morris’s Muay Thai experience was “limited” as he repeatedly went for single-leg and double-leg takedowns, illegal in a Muay Thai fight. With Morris’s corner screaming “Kickboxing! Kickboxing!” the crowd grew a bit restless and called for a stop to the “action”. Referee Chris Baxter did what he could to educate Morris between rounds, but was forced to finally put an end to the show after deducting 3 points in the 2nd Round. A bewildered winner, Billy Connors, was nonetheless professional and thanked Morris for the fight.
In other Muay Thai fights:
Sonia Mejia (Chinese Kickboxing Club) def. Brandi Young (Combined Martial Arts) by Unanimous Decision at 120lbs.
Marcel Escobar (Wai-Kru) def. Julio Pena (Boston Muay Thai) by Unanimous Decision at 155lbs.
Chachi Summers (Team Gillet) def. Rafael Flores (Chinese Kickboxing Club) by Unanimous Decision at 190lbs.
Mark Klemm (Wai-Kru) def. James Gilbert (Boston Muay Thai) by Unanimous Decision at 170lbs.
Bernie Ongewe (Blazing Sun) def. Romain Gaston (Boston Muay Thai) by Split Decision at 155lbs.
I.C.E. “Doomsday” had a lot to be proud of as they offered Worcester, MA fight fans good fights from tough fighters. Referee Chris Baxter was consistent in stopping MMA fights early when fighters were in mount, something that can serve as a springboard to further discussion by New England MMA fans. Lee’s announcement that he’ll be throwing his hat into the world of professional boxing should be an intriguing story to follow and I.C.E. Owner Manny Neves announced that I.C.E.’s upcoming MMA offering will feature Team Bombsquad versus Team Link ensured that New England fight fans have yet to see the best from International Combat Entertainment.
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