SWC 7 event was held at the usual location, the Embassy Suites / Frisco Convention Center in Frisco, Texas. The crowd was a mixed demographic and the event was about 80% full. The octagon ring was raised and small; still it was difficult to see the fights, even from my vantage at ringside. Two medium sized screens showed music videos and the fights but the bright lighting made the screens hard but not impossible to watch. [This was a good night for a writer to lose his cherry at his first live MMA show.]

Johnny Bedford listens intently to North Texas MMA Legend Marcus Hicks

The second fight had welterweights Josh Montoya, 2-3 against Jeremy Mahon, 0-2. They exchanged take downs and kicks in the first round. Mahon was the aggressor. Round two found Montoya somewhat illusive.  Mahon pressed on with combinations and a few elbow strikes on the floor - the referee didn’t like that and deducted a point. So much for free-style. Montoya responded with kick, a left and a take down. He ended the round with a slew of knees to Mahon’s mid-section. Round three showed an exchange of kicks, Montoya had a couple of take downs. Mahon spiced the round up with a low blow and some more elbows on the floor – I like this guy. Montoya got the decision because of the fouls.

The third fight matched Edwynn Jones, 6-8 (the records are getting better) against Michael Craycraft 0-2 (well maybe not). I guess 170 lbs would be considered light-heavyweights. Round one had a take down and tap-out victory  for Craycraft at one minute and seven seconds.

The fourth fight pitted two 155 lb fighters. Diego Cerra, 9-2 and Ran Weathers, 11-4. Better records brought a better fight. Cerra came out strong, scoring leg kick and a take down. Back on their feet Weathers started punching and ended a fight with a vicious left hook that knocked Cerra into the middle of next week. Cerra was left in a heap against one of the octagon’s sides. The referee called it off immediately.

The fifth fight had Ira Boyd, 6-9 going against Deuce King, 11-8 at 157 lbs. Dallas’ Boyd scored two take downs and a submission in the early part of the first round.

Steve Garcia (r) lifts his hand in victory, as Frank Barragan drops his head in defeat; Steve Armstrong was the third man in the ring.

Featherweights Johnny Bedford, 9-7 and Daniel Pineda, 8-4. Each fighter had a take down in the first round Pineda suffer a cut above right eye, Bedford was the effective aggressor. Both had another takedown then Pineda finished strong with knees to the body.

Round two, Bedford scored two takedowns but Pineda scored a knee to the body and the final take. Before you knew it Bedford rises in victory. A triangle choke – sleeper hold did it. Pineda’s corner was right in front of me and they were hopping mad “That’s the third time this referee has done this to us.” Meanwhile Pineda was on the other side of the octagon taking a nappy-poo.

The next fight had bantamweights Frank Barragan, 6-2 against Steve Garcia, 5-3. This one only lasted only one round. Barragan scored a couple of kicks – Garcia came back with a couple of punches. A kick to the body and a right hand gave Garcia the victory.

Kamal Shalorus (l) and Justin Miller (r) size each other up.

That’s it for this the card. The event went from around 7:40 pm to about 10:15 pm. Tickets started at $35.00

I have mixed feelings about MMA. I have watched it on TV for years. The difference between Brazilian jujitsu and muay thay plus what ever else is not apparent to me and probably most people too. To me, it seems like kick boxing and wrestling. The potential for serious injury is higher than boxing in my opinion. [Editor’s note: Marcellus is first & for most a boxing writer. We knew he would be out of his element at an MMA event, but we enjoy his writing style so much we were eager to read his take on it. He did not disappoint. Hope you enjoyed it as much we did.]