Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis, Derrick Krantz win main events at Reloaded MMA event in Frisco

by Sean Malone of North Texas Fisticuffs

FRISCO — In a relatively short amount of time, Steele Cage MMA has established itself as promotional company that delivers on action-intensive fight cards. Saturday night’s promotion, entitled Reloaded, continued this tradition as it featured a number of high-octane infused fights. Held at the immaculate Dr Pepper Arena in the north Texas suburb of Frisco, the dedicated fight fans who attended the event were not disappointed.

It was a battle steeped with historical undertones, Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis (9-1-1), Houston, ended the night of Cleburn “The Spartan” Walker (9-4), Fort Worth, in a scintillating main event.

Bronzoulis came out firing, landing a high kick to the cheek of Walker. Walker pounced like an animal, pressing Bronzoulis against the cage as he looked for the takedown. An accidental low kick below the belt put the action on hold as Bronzoulis withered in pain on the mat. After regaining his bearings, Bronzoulis seemed eager to engage in the game with Walker. As both fighters traded some flashy salvos, the fight went to the ground where Bronzoulis worked to dominant position, raining down some hard punches. The end came suddenly, and in dramatic fashion, Bronzoulis landed a left round house kick that landed square in the face of Walker who went down like a ton of bricks, knocked out cold.

The official time of the TKO was 4:39 in the opening round. Walker was taken out of the cage on a stretcher for precautionary measures.

In the evening’s co-main event, Derrick Krantz (9-1-1) of Marshall, Texas, gave a good showing of himself in chocking out Seth Clifton (4-4) of Duncanville in the opening round. The action started of briskly, as both fighters came out firing. Things turned bad for Clifton once Krantz got him on the ground. In the dominant positions, Krantz was able to rain down some ground and pound that prompted Clifton to give up his back. Krantz sieved upon this opportunity, slipping in the hooks and sinking in a rear naked choke.

The official time of the stoppage was 1:46 in the opening round.

In heavyweight action, Arlington’s Matt Smith (7-0) kept his unblemished record intact by submitting Doug Williams (6-10) of Carthage, Texas. Smith utilized a smothering ground game to catch Williams in a kimora to end the fight.

The official time of the submission was 4:14 in the opening round.

Ira Boyd (7-11-1), Balch Springs, wasted little time in submitting late substitution Chase Green (0-3) in the first round. Green, a feared striker, was taken out of his game place as Boyd took the fight to the ground at the onset. Boyd’s ground acumen is great and it showed as he seamlessly transitioned, eventually taking Green’s back and sinking in a rear naked choke.

The official time of the submission was 0:53 in the opening round.

James Hollon (1-0), Killeen, Texas, made his professional mixed martial arts debut a successful one as he submitted the always game Justin Wenokur (0-2), Frisco, Texas, in the first round.

Wenokur enjoyed success early in the fight, landing a couple of low kicks before trying to slip in a guillotine choke. Hollon weathered Wenokur’s early assault and took the fight to the ground. As Wenokur postured up to smash his fists into Hollon’s face, Hollen deftly slipped in a triangle choke that left Wenokur out on the mat.

The official time of the submission was 1:37 in round one.

Andrew Goldthwaite (1-0), Dallas, made his professional debut a memorable one with first round beat down of James Simpson (1-1), Big Springs, Texas.

Simpson tried to take things to the ground early, but Goldthwaite caught his charging adversary in a muay thai clinch were he unloaded some hard knees. Goldthwaite was deducted a point for inadvertently landing a knee to Simpson’s head as he tried to rise off the mat. The point deduction was insignificant as a right hand by Goldthwaite ended the nigh in impressive fashion.

The official time of the stoppage was 0:30 in the opening round.

Jarret Jones (3-4), Midland, looked impressive in catching Roy Spoon (2-2), Rockwall, with an inverted arm bar.

The official time of the submission was 1:00 in round one.

Josh “Pool Boy” Smith (1-0), Little Elm, Texas, came out with guns blazing as he ground and pounded his way to a lopsided victory over Josh Shephard, (2-2), Lubbock, Texas.

The official time of the TKO stoppage was 0:18 in the opening round.

In the opening fight of the night, Brian Pierce (2-1), Odessa, Texas, gutted out a hard-fought three round split decision over Chris Brooks, (2-3), Allen, Texas.

Scores were 29-28, 29-28, and 27-30 in favor of Pierce.