Contributed by Kalan Anglos
What happens when a small town boxing club teams up with the largest mixed martial arts organization in the country? On Saturday night, fans found out firsthand just how exhilarating it can be when the Comox Valley Boxing Club and the Armageddon Fighting Championships joined forces for AFC: Full Throttle at the Sports Centre.
“Lots of hours go into these events,” CVBC owner Jonny Mac said. “We brought them [AFC] in to help with planning and because they already have a solid roster. It just seemed like a great fit.”
The night, which featured six fighters from the Comox Valley, was one that local MMA enthusiasts will long remember. It was the first all-amateur event for the AFC, which labeled it the Contender series — for the fighter’s possible contention to pro. By the end of the night, it was clear that the fighters who stepped in the cage were only amateur by name.
In the main event, middleweights Frasor Jordan of the CVBC and Wade Apps of Revolution Martial Arts in Abbotsford put their undefeated records on the line.
“These are two of the best 185 pounders in Western Canada,” Jonny said before the fight. “Fight promoters have been trying to get these guys together for a while now, and it’s finally going to happen.”
Capping off an already explosive night of action, the two brought the crowd to their feet once more as they squared off at the centre of the octagon. Apps quickly took the fight to the ground, which proved to be his demise as Jordan locked in a triangle choke to seal the victory at just 1:47 of the first round. With the impressive victory, it could prove to be Jordan’s final fight as an amateur.
“I’ve been at this a long time,” the 5-0 Jordan said after the fight. “I wanted to do whatever he wanted to do. I felt the triangle, locked it in, and that was it. Feels great.” Frasor’s finish was awarded Submission of the Night.
In the co-main event, 145-pound phenom Oren Hanscomb of Pure Self Defense Campbell River also proved he is ready for the step to pro when he squared off against Matt Shannon of Vancouver. It took Hanscomb (5-2) just nine seconds to smother Shannon to the ground with a flurry of punches before referee John Cooper stopped the fight. It was the fastest finish in AFC history.
In other action, two more local fighters showcased the talent from the CVBC. Damian McGeary and Andrew Payne were both awarded with knockout- and fight-of-the-night accolades respectively.
McGeary (2-0) got the first of many thunderous ovations on the night when he knocked out Revolution’s Fraser Doditch with a vicious head kick in the first round. Payne (2-0), on the other hand, battled tough opponent Herbert Moon from Campbell River Island Warriors. It took until the second round before Payne was able to take control of Moon’s back, submitting him with a rear naked choke.
Other local fighters included Chris Anderson (5-1) executing a perfect guillotine choke on Abbotsford’s Jared McCann in the first round, Chris Anderson (3-2) besting Bryce Kilpatrick by way of TKO in the second round, and Philip Romanov (3-1) earning a unanimous decision with his relentless attack on Abbotsford’s Gagan Gill. For complete results visit www.armageddonfc.com.
While putting on an entertaining and action filled mixed martial arts event is nothing new for the CVBC, teaming up with a well respected organization took them —and the fighters — to the next level.
“We’re going to keep having these events,” Mac said. “If AFC wants to be a part of it that would be great, but we’re going to keep these events going regardless.
“What people don’t realize is guys like Mike Hackert (number one heavyweight in Canada) and Frasor Jordan, they started here. Right here in the Valley. Not a lot of people know it, but we have some of the best fighters in Canada here in our own backyard.”
After Saturday night, it’s impossible to argue that.