Large crowd witnesses inaugural event

Over eighteen hundred spectators, managers and fighters gathered last Saturday night for Sac & Fox Casino’s inaugural cage fighting event. The action packed card featured a talented group of local fighters pitted against some of the region’s best mixed-martial arts talent.
As the sun went down, the action in the cage quickly heated up. In the main event, John “Wolfman” Wolf faced off against Redcloud Anquoe for the Native American Muay Thai Associations “World Native American Muay Chao Cherk Heavyweight” title. However, the moon-filled sky was no help for the Wolfman who found himself in a hold he couldn’t get out of and tapped out early in the second round.
In an upset to the local Dragon Martial Arts MMA team, Brannon Creel suffered a loss in his début bout to Wichita, Kansas native Cody Bittler. The bout brought the crowd to its feet as the two competitors duked it out on the edges of cage and spiraled to the ground in flurry of blows. Although Creel seemed well condition and ready for the fight, he found himself succumbing to a choke in the second round of the bout.
However, Creel’s loss was bookended by victories from all four of his Dragon Martial Arts teammates.
In the earlier bouts, Brian Grinnell made quick work of his opponent, submitting James Schwind in the first round with a bone crunching armbar while Brandon Mansur sunk his heels in and earned a victory over Justin Hensley with a rear-naked choke.
Following Creel’s upset, Charles Anderson earned a victory by decision over Jorge Granados of Dumas, Texas during one of the evenings four featured kickboxing matches. Anderson showed kicking ability mixed with coarse, but effective, boxing skills dispatching his opponent with a series of hard punches.
In perhaps the best bout of evening, Daniel Coronado faced off against Richard Hall. The competitors wildly traded blows during the crowd-pleasing brawl and gamely taunted one another during the brief lulls in furious bout.
Coronado showed promising punching power using a solid overhand right to backup his opponent. He went onto demonstrate strong grappling skills by submitting Hall with a choke thus earning a fourth victory for five man team from Dragon Martial Arts Gym.
Local spectator Rick Evans had this to say, “This is my first time to come to a cage fight, but it won’t be my last.”
Rounding out the card: Luis Olivia defeated Jess Carlson, James Fullbrite defeated Ed Ellis, and Carmen Harris defeated Kendra Baker.
In the Sub Event bout of the evening, Chuck Carr defeated James Pruitt by TKO.
In an announcement that brought cheers from the spectators, Sac & Fox Nation Casino CEO Glen Coleman announced the Heartland Ground “N” Pound Showdown. “This isn’t your grandpa’s tough man contest.” Coleman said. “The event is open to any competitor, regardless of gym affiliation. All you have to do is be in physical shape. There will be two weight classes Welterweight (155lbs – 170lbs) and Light Heavyweight (185lbs – 205lbs).” “For all the men that say they have what it takes lets see it?” stated Coleman.
The Heartland Ground “N” Pound Showdown will begin August 1st with the Welterweight Division followed by the Light Heavyweight on August 2nd, located at the Heartland Amphitheater in Shawnee.
For more information on the Heartland Ground “N” Pound Showdown or ticket information contact 405.275.4700, for fighters wanting to participate email your information to okfights@yahoo.com.