INVINCIBLE MMA: "INLAND EMPIRE vs. ORANGE COUNTY"

Successful MMA promoter and former professional fighter; Eddy Millis of the notorious Shark Tank training center (Founded in 1995) in Rancho Cucamonga, California ~ USA, ably put together another good show!

Aptly titled; “Invincible: Inland Empire vs. Orange County”, a high profile Mixed-Martial Arts competition in Ontario, California. This event featured matched ranked competitors from those two highly populated and notorious neighboring areas of sunny Southern California.

The spacious Ontario Convention Center, a favorite location for Millis' events, was filled with highly enthusiastic MMA fans from all over the Southland who began cheering non-stop once the lights dimmed and a loudspeaker announced the first of the evenings several bouts.

Unfortunately, the first through the third matchups inside the “Invincible Octagon” were more or less routine evidence of the heavy commercialism of today’s ‘Jujitsu-101’, a diluted and formulated version of Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) now being seen taught not only here in the USA, but, all around the world in many Dojos and gyms.

Even though the kick-boxing and ground-fighting techniques displayed during these early bouts were performed by some inexperienced semi-novice fighters, obviously working their way up the MMA ladder, the audience still witnessed many good punches, some decent kicks to the head, some hard body-strikes & body-slams, a few nice turnovers, plus, some naturally honed skills, often executed… with some pure luck.

The fourth fight, featuring Ishmael Gonzales (Body Shop in Lakewood, California), began much like the earlier matches with a textbook example of kick-boxing with some predictable entries into failed grappling attempts. These two opponents eventually found each other struggling to locate a secure submission, while pressing one another repeatedly up against the cage fencing. After the first round, the fighters looked more relaxed and the action began to pick up its pace. With a well-played move, Ishmael finally connected with a solid punch, which dropped his opponent to the mat. The judges clearly declared the well-conditioned Ishmael the winner by KO in round two.

Between rounds, the two alluring ring card girls drew loud cheers from a mostly testosterone driven crowd as they alternated their eighteen second walks around the perimeter of the cage, in rather scantily-clad outfits. One of the more colorfully tattooed ring girls appeared to be close to exposing her well-proportioned breasts as she lifted one of the large “Round” cards high over her pretty little head!

During a short intermission, I conducted an informal interview with legendary referee/ringside judge and former pro kick-boxer; Cecil Peeples, who proceeded to generously provide me with a detailed history of his long and eventful career in the industry, as I held up a small digital recorder. I informed him that I planned to use the material in an upcoming article on professional referees in the future. Cecil is a real professional nice guy.

The evenings “Main Event” featured Jessie Juarez, another of Antonio McKee’s fighters, from Body shop. As the bell sounded the start of the first round, both fighters looked a bit cautious while they attempted to test each others punching and kicking range. Thankfully, this last matchup was a bit more exciting one to watch compared to the earlier fights. This fight quickly went to the ground, but, they both seemed able to work smarter at identifying a submission set-up, although they still found it difficult to efficiently lock onto one early on. Still, these two combatants were among the only listed in tonight’s “Fight-Card” to be able to make some solid contact with a more professional display of comprehensive techniques.

At the end of the first round, after a few transitions and “Time-Holds” in the Guard, it was still a fairly even match. Because of a delayed lull in the action on the ground, the ref smartly brought them both back on their feet to restart the fight when the bell sounded, ending the first round. The start of the second round brought the fighters together standing toe to toe, again attempting to strike at each other with little effect. Soon, they were both pummeling for superior positions in a clinch against the cage fence. By now, the anxious audience had become restless and screamed for more action from the fighters! However, it was in the third round when Juarez suddenly took the mounted position and proceeded to land a short series of “Ground & Pound” abuse upon his opponent, until the referee stopped the fight and declared him the victor by clear win by TKO.

(Promoter) Eddy Millis wisely arranged for select martial arts supply companies to set up their satellite store booths throughout the venue in order to provide the audience members with reasonable shopping opportunities, which also helped to fill additional floor space. A dozen or so martial arts fight gear vendors happily hawked their wares with success to those in attendance who were interested in purchasing quality equipment and MMA clothing. Some of the sponsoring clothing company’s associates were invited into the cage between the bouts to toss out their screen-printed T-shirts to an inviting audience.

AMAM is looking forward to the next entertaining MMA to be promoted by the Millis camp!

Contact Eddy Millis (Shark Tank Gym) at: sharkeddy@aol.com Phone: 562-221-6629