Steele Cage 3; A Lady’s Perspective
(By Allison Hooper / Photos by John Escobar III)

NTB’s newest MMA writer
Allison Hooper.
(Editor’s Note: North Texas Boxing proudly introduces their newest correspondent Allison Hooper; a local girl who graduated from Frisco High, an athlete and a lady that not only loves the sport of MMA but knows it too. Allison joins the staff of North Texas Boxing with her first assignment covering the sport she truly loves, MMA. In her words “MMA is the only sport I watch on TV.”

She graduated from University of the Cumberlands with a degree in Communications. While at the Cumberlands, Allison was a member of the wrestling, track, and volleyball teams. She was an active participant in the theatre, TV, and radio along with several other clubs and organizations. Allison developed an interest in MMA during her college years. She and her wrestling teammates used the off season to try their hand in different forms of martial; her workouts piqued her interest, which in turn became a passion for the fastest growing spectator sport in America, MMA.

She not only impressed us, but several others MMA web site representatives at the Steele Cage 3 media table that were fortunate enough to get to meet her and listen to her expound on what was happening inside the cage. Still I wonder was it her knowledge of the sport or something else that had them hanging on her every word.

Welcome on board Allison, we appreciate you and look forward to you and Pete (Mulgrew the NTB MMA Editor) covering anything and everything MMA in North Texas, Oklahoma and beyond.

Steele Cage 3 on Friday, August 6th brought some big names to Frisco, Texas. Former Dallas Cowboy great, Randy “The Manster” White, enjoyed the fights ringside near as was local MMA legend, Guy Mezger. But the guest of honor for the night was “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell, who drew droves to his meet and greet before the show.

Before the 8:00 PM start time, hundreds of people, many in tight pants and Affliction gear began filling the seats of Dr. Pepper Arena, awaiting some of North Texas’ finest fighters and a glimpse of ‘The Iceman.’ Music by Linkin Park, Dropkick Murphys, and Juvanile pulsated, setting the stage for the anticipated adrenaline pumping action.

During the National Anthem, the energetic crowd assisted the songstress and roared with appreciation after she finished. There were hoorahs and words of thanks called out to the military men handling the flags. And finally, the first bout was introduced.

Hall vs. Simpson
The heavyweight fight between James Hall of Gun Barrel, TX and Kyle Simpson of Montgomery, TX was one of the most exciting. Hall, who had accepted the fight only 24 hours prior, controlled the first round with powerful takedowns and finished the fight at 2:32 of the second with an arm bar.

Boyd vs. Smith
Local boy Ira Boyd of Dallas defeated Shawn Smith of Lone Oak, TX when Smith tapped at 0:52 of the second round due to a rear naked choke.

Roy Spoon after his victory in
his trademark hat.

Spoon vs. Jackson
Crowd favorite and another local boy, Roy Spoon of Garland defeated David Jackson by tap out at 0:33 of the first round with a rear naked choke.

Vo vs. Ileiwi
Again, a local boy, Ali Ilewi of Ft. Worth came out the winner when he defeated Van Kim Vo from Kyle, TX near Austin by submission at 1:52 of the first.

Gray vs. Gipson
After this bout it seemed the local / North Texas boys were going to run the table when James Gray of Stephenville, TX defeated Dwight Gipson of Lufkin, TX in a heavyweight bout by decision. Two of the judges scored it 30-27 Gray, with the last one having Gray the winner 29-28.

Douglas Frey (l) and Jose Sandoval in the heat
of the battle.
Sandoval vs. Frey
The “NTB Fight of the Night” was the co-main event between Jose Sandoval from Lubbock, TX, and Douglas Frey, another local from Arlington. There was a buzz of excitement in the arena because the hometown boy and longtime MMA favorite Frey always brings his “A” game to a fight. But, entering the ring with his red-glowing Mohawk, Sandoval came to bang with Douglas Frey and had no intention of losing or seemed distracted by the crowd even when a loud smack from Frey’s kick to Sandoval’s side started the fight. More kicks and knees were exchanged before the fighters got caught in a feverish scramble that brought the crowd to their feet. Back on his feet Sandoval utilized his spinning back kick. The two fighters ended the round punishing each other with a flurry of punches that sent sweat flying in all directions. Round two began with Sandoval catching a big right and answering with a pound so sound that it knocked Frey to his back. Sandoval capitalized on the position and was pronounce the winner by TKO at 2:24 into the second round. Sandoval’s corner stormed the cage to congratulate their undefeated fighter. Which in this area was a true upset, but the Sandoval Team did not seem to agree.

Richard Steele (l) and Jeff Zimmerman (r)
The Iceman
Prior to the main event the true main event of the evening was when Chuck Liddell himself stepped inside of the ring to accept the MMA Lifetime Achievement Award from Richard Steele and Jeff Zimmerman. The presentation was short and sweet with Chuck thanking the people of Frisco and crossed his arms above his head in the signature Iceman pose throwing the multitude into an uproar.

Gorzynski vs. Christopher
Joey Gorzynski out of Oklahoma and Joe Christopher from Dallas fought for the “Steele Cage World Welterweight Championship”. Joe being the local and Joey being from OK intensified the cheers and jeers. The two grapplers performed as their backgrounds suggest. Getting into multiple scrambles, both fighters were surprisingly slick with their escapes and reversals. In the end, Joey Gorcynski arose the victor by tap out by guillotine choke at 3:52 of the second. To the crowd this was also considered a true upset.

Jeff Zimmerman raises the hand of
the newley crownd Steele
Cage champion.
The Wrap
During intermission there was an unexpected and touching induction ceremony. The U.S. Air Force’s Christine Porter swore in 8 of the military’s newest airmen who were gratefully accepted with thunderous cheers of the crowd. There’s something heartwarming about hearing the verbal agreement repeated and upheld by generations of the U.S. Military. Steele Cage’s Richard Steele and Jeff Zimmerman with their extensive boxing background know how to touch all the bases, from beginning to end. Now they can add another great MMA show feather in their caps; we look forward to their next presentation. Even the big boys can learn something from Steele Cage.

 

 

 

 

 
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