Even though I’ve been an MMA fan since the early UFC’s, I’ve never been to local show. All the MMA events I’ve attended consisted of K-1, Pride and UFC events. I found out about Long Beach Fight Night through a friend and decided to check it out. I was surprised about the great production value for a “small” show: the ring was well lit, fights continued smoothly throughout the night and everyone had a good view of the ring. What’s even more surprising was the amount of people that showed up.

Crowd waiting to get in

View from the top
It was pretty much a full house. They had to delay the start of the event because more people were coming in. Besides the exciting matches, highlights include meeting Judo legend, Gene Lebell and some of the MMA media including Heather from Bloodyknux.com, Darnell from MMAHawaii and Tracy from CombatLifestyle.com.

The one and only Gene LeBell.

Here’s a recap of the fights:

Manny “Bam Bam” Lara vs. Bryan “Bone Krusher” Keith
The first fight turned out to be the best of the night. Both men were willing to engage will Lara getting the best of the exchanges. Keith almost turned the tide in the third round by getting Lara’s back. After a while, Lara escaped the back mount and more punches were thrown. Once again, Lara landed the more solid punches. Lara won the fight with a unanimous decision. Props to both guys for laying everything on the ring.

Keith with the back mount
Winner: Manny “Bam Bam” Lara

Alex “Mad Dog” Rickards vs. Ron Turner
This was a quick match with Rickards getting the takedown early in the round. Once the fighters hit the floor, Turner dominated. Turner used his bjj skills to finish off Rickards with a side choke.

Turner with the sidechoke.
Winner: Ron Turner

Danny Juarez vs. Miles “Howitzer” Howard
Juarez dominated the fight from beginning to end. Juarez tagged Howard a couple of times before the fight went to the ground. On the ground, Howard didn’t have an answer for Juarez. Howard won with a rear naked choke in the first round.

Danny Juarez with the rear naked choke
Winner: Danny Juarez

Tony “Takedown Tiger” Ferguson vs Frank “The Tank” Park
Strikes were thrown from both fighters as soon as the bell rang. Ferguson took down Park. Park got up from the ground and more punches were thrown. It was a pretty even slugfest. Ferguson took down Park again. This time Park couldn’t get up and got caught in sidechoke.

Ferguson with the sidechoke
Winner: Tony “Takedown Tiger” Ferguson

Darrell “The Mongoose” Montague vs. Scott “The Sza” Brommage
This was a back and forth battle with Montague slightly winning round 1 and 2. The fight had good striking and solid takedowns. In the third round, Montague took down Brommage and made him tap with a rear nake choke.

Montague with the rear naked choke.
Winner: Darrell “The Mongoose” Montague

Maurice “Syko” Eazel vs. Jim “The Pitbull” Ramsey
Eazel controlled the ground with impressive takedowns and sweeps. Standing up, Eazel was also all over Ramsey with knees to the mid section. In the second round, Eazel continued with the knees and Ramsey verbally tapping.

Eazel side mounting Ramsey
Winner: Maurice “Syko” Eazel

Keneti “Monsta” Faagata vs. Demetrice “D’Ablo The Saint” Woods
Tension was high in the co-main event after Woods didn’t touch gloves with Faagata. Both men were throwing bombs. In the later round, more punches were thrown when Woods just dropped to the floor and the ref stopping the fight. It looked like Wood dislocated his left shoulder after the exchange. Too bad he got injured, the fight looked like a bar burner.

Faagata showing respect to his downed opponent.
Winner: Keneti “Monsta” Faagata

Jesse Juarez vs. Thomas Kenney
In the last fight of the night, King of The Cage veteran, Thomas Kenney was dominated by Jesse Juarez. After Kenney confronted Juarez with a leg kick, he quickly went for a takedown attempt. Juarez defended the takedown and picked Kenney up for a hard slam. Juarez finished the round with some ground and pound. In the second round, Juarez controlled the ground and finished Kenney with strikes from the backmount. Kenney had no choice but to tap.

Juarez picking up Kenny
Winner: Jesse Juarez

Overall, the fights were entertaining and all the fighters came out to put on a show. I was a bit disappointed with the last fight because I’ve trained with Thomas Kenny before(even if it was only for one day) and I was rooting for him. But I have to give it up to Jesse Juarez for stepping up and beating a King Of The Cage veteran.

The ring girls


MMA Photographer, Tracy Lee

I’ve been to big events before where the crowd would boo once the fighters went to the ground but for this event, the crowd was very knowledgeable and respectful towards the fighters. For $20 for the cheapest seats, you can’t beat the price, especially when you get about three hours of action packed fights. The next event for Long Beach Fight Night will be in April and I hope to see you there.

Kenney warming up before the fight.

Want to see more pictures from the event? Click here for the gallery, where you can also view the slideshow.

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