New Champions Crowned at Ring of Combat 55
Ring of Combat 55 came and conqured all fight fans desire to see a night of sprawl and brawl action. Those who were in attendance at the beautiful Tropicana Atlantic City saw new ROC champions crowned.
The main event saw reigning champion, Gregor Gillespie (7-0) earn a hard fought split decision over the very game on Sidney Outlaw (5-3). As soon as the opening bell rang, it looked to be a typical Gillespie fight as he used his DI wrestling credentials to quickly take down Outlaw. From here Gillespie controlled the entire first round while landing some vicious ground and pound. It was at the half way point of the second round where Outlaw began to have his moments as he was forcing the action on the feet while stuffing the take down attempts of Gillespie. From here it was a battle of will as Outlaw let his hands go with much success even scoring a takedown of his own. Going into the third, the fight looked to be even but Gillespie scored a takedown that sealed the deal for him and remaining the ROC lightweight champion.
The co-main event saw Frank Buenafuente (6-3) battle Jose Mariscal (3-2) for the vacant ROC featherweight title. Buenafuente, coming off an impressive win at ROC 54, took the fight to Mariscal by stuffing most of Chepe's takedowns and landing strong combinations to the body of his opponent. Chepe did have his moments through out the fight but they were always short lived as Buenafuente would quickly turn the tables. In the end, Frank Buenafuete earned a hard fought unanimous decision and becoming the ROC featherweight champion.
In what was billed as the rematch, Eric Roncoroni (5-1) took on Mike Elshamy (3-3) for the vacant middleweight title. When these two first met, it was an all out blood as they glady went toe to toe trying to gain the advantage. Elshamy was on the receiving end of a nasty cut over the forehead thus prompting the doctor to call a hault to the contest awarding the victory to Roncoroni. At ROC55, these two combatants continued where there first fight left off. They quickly engaged with both landing bombs. Just as the first fight, Elshamy again was the victim of a nasty cut on the forehead from a Roncoroni punch. This time the doctor let the action continue as the first round came to an end. The second round saw Roncoroni try and set distance and land hard punches on his charging opponent. Elshamy was able to force a clinch against the cage but this was to be his undoing. Roncoroni was able to seperate himself with just enough room to land a vicous knee to the head of Elshamy knocking him out cold. Roncoroni is the new ROC middleweight champion!
See below for results on the remainder of the card.
1 William Calhoun III vs James Gonzalez
W-Gonzalez (Split decision)
2 Eddie Lopez vs Nick Fiore
W-Fiore (Unanimous decision)
3 Andrew Aguilar vs Sukhrob Aydarbekov
W- Aydarbekov (Split decision)
4 Tajuddin Abdul- Hakim vs Gregy Styles
W- Abdul-Hakim (KO rnd 1)
5 Sadee Monseratte vs Jenna Serio
W-Jenna Serio (Submission via RNC rnd 2)
6 Sam Watford vs Nekruz Mirkhojaev
W- Mirkhojaev (Unanimous decision)
7 Brian Booth vs Ruslan Melikov
Bout cancelled
8 Raul Gonzales vs Mike Trizano
W- Mike Trizano (Submission via RNC rnd 1)
9 Jimmy Spicuzza vs Max Bohanan
W- Spicuzza (Split decision)
TITLE FIGHTS
10 Jose Chepe Mariscal vs Frank Buenafuente
W-Buenafuente (Unanimous decision)
11 Eric Roncoroni vs Mike Elshamy
W- Roncoroni (KO via knee rnd 2)
12 Sidney Outlaw vs Gregor Gillespie
W- Gillespie (Split decision)
