Friday, April 23, 2010

By Isaac Kuhlman

  Tonight's Tuff-N-Uff fights from the Orleans Casino were jam packed with fast finishes and furious fights. Ten of the thirteen fights ended in the first round, and, in somewhat of a surprise, there were no actual KO's (only two TKO's due to strikes). What this meant for fans, was a spectacular night of very skilled amateurs finding their moment to pull off some slick submissions. In fact, one of the quickest submissions I have ever seen (27 seconds) came on the fight card as John Gettle pulled off a triangle choke against Erick Kapp. The most impressive thing was that the sub came from having to structure a perfect position so quickly. However, the best fight of the night was absolutely the main event between Jimmy Jones and Larry Mir.

  The fight was actually substituted about 4 days before the night of the event, because Mir's original opponent, Chris Barden, pulled out of the fight. The news about Barden pulling out of the fight was disappointing but also good for the actual event. As Mir said via a facebook comment, "I'm honored to fight jimmy he is definitely a huge step up from that wussy Barden. Sucks to have to fight someone as cool as Jimmy, but it's just business."

  Mir celebrated his 30th birthday on the same day of the fight, but his present was taking on a very scrappy fighter in Jones. Jones was the Tuff-N-Uff champion at 135lbs., and this fight was to be for the 145lbs. title. Mir was very classy in taking the fight on short notice, and Jones was training for another fight as well, but what came out was a very good show of skill on both fighters' part.

  The fight started with some back-and-forth striking action, but after Jones was able to connect on a combo that caught Mir off guard. Jones took the fight to the ground immediately and landed in Mir's full guard. Jones laid on some pretty good body shots that opened up the head, and as soon as Mir opened his guard, Jones scooted around Mir's body and took his back. Shortly thereafter, Jones was able to sink in both "hooks" (wrapping his heels inside the thighs of Mir). It was only a matter of a bit of tactical ground-and-pound action that opened up the rear-naked choke, and Jones was able to end the fight at 2:51 of round 1.

  This is Jones' second title in the Tuff-N-Uff organization, and said after the fight, "It feels good. I think only one guy's done it before me, and I know how he feels now."

  Jones came in to the ring like a spark plug to the classic Billy Idol song "Dancing With Myself", and said, "Whatever gets the crowd into it. Anything I can get the crowd on my side, I'm all for it."

  Jones looks to help make a name for himself in the amateur ranks so he can go pro, and this was his first shot at a main event (and a title on top of it). He has been around a while, but never got the ultimate prize of taking on a main event. He said, "It feels good. I finally had a chance to get my name out there. I don't do it for the fame."

  Jones had to put the goose egg of Team Xtreme Couture's night (going 0-6 in previous matches on the night) to rest, and he got the opportunity to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans as it looks like they are finally taking notice of his great skills and positive attitude about his fight game. Keep a look out for Jones as he is a tough and skilled up-and-comer in the 135 and 145lbs. weight classes.

  As mentioned earlier, John Gettle's fight with Erick Kapp was a barn burner, and puts Gettle on the block of amateurs who have a bright future in the pro ranks. Gettle has been on a hot 4-0 streak in his amateur career, and, in his last fight, went to war while winning by a Kimura that actually broke his opponent's arm. Gettle fights out of Team Suffer (Frank Mir's fight team) and has a huge upside to his career.

  There were many great fights on the card, and the event was one of the shortest fight cards in recent Tuff-N-Uff events. To get all the results for the entire fight card, click here.