Roop Delivers at Rage In the Cage

This past Saturday was particularly bittersweet for me, since this is the last RITC event I’ll be covering, at least for a while, as I move away from sunny Arizona to the freezing tundra of Wisconsin in just a few short weeks. The Arizona fight scene is thriving, with three promotions going strong and more in the works. Here’s the results from Saturday’s Rage in the Cage #137: Dell vs. Roop which took place at the Desert Diamond Casino.

Local fan favorite George Roop, who has been training with Shawn Tompkins, was the best we’ve seen him. Looking far more strategic in his standup and clinch game, Roop landed combination after combination against Matt Dell. Roop, who had previously defeated Dell in 2007 at RITC 91 via split decision, easily won by unanimous decision this time.

In one of the most exciting fights of the night, Executive Boxing’s Nick Rhoads (pictured left) took on Muay Thai fighter Manny Guajardo. In the first round, Rhoads showcased his amazing standup game, leading Guajardo to come out kicking hard in the 2nd while Rhoads kept pushing forward with hard punches. Rhoads won by submission after locking in a perfect triangle choke.

One of my favorite local fighters, Freddie Lux (Master Your MMA), engaged in a 3-round war with one-legged fighter Matt Betzold. Betzold had an  incredible ground game, getting mount in the 1st round and numerous submission attempts (including some chokes Lux had to struggle to get out of). Lux showcased his beautiful body shots and wrestling, earning a unanimous decision win.

Team TUF’s Rudy Rios put on a clinic in his bout against Curtis Washington from Lee’s Boxing Club. Rios came out strong in the 1st round with solid wrestling and a great guard pass. Washington had some really great submission attempts, almost catching Rios in an armbar. Rios took mount and countered with a submission attempt of his own. In the 3rd round, Washington got on a tight guillotine that looked like a finisher but Rios managed to get out. Rios won the fight by unanimous decision.

The bout between SWMMA’s Darin Kelly and Apex MMA’s Andres Acuna was an all-out war. Darin Kelly was extremely aggressive with a stellar ground game and multiple submission attempts (RNC and guillotine), but Andres Acuna proved to be too much for him. Acuna, who had some great ground and pound (and a very nice haircut) won by TKO (takedown) in 1:32 of the 3rd round.

Apex MMA’s Andrew Perez showed off his standup game and went for takedowns when it looked like he was gonna get rocked, switching to his aggressive ground game. He beat ISMA’s Justin Purcell by unanimous decision.

Arizona Combat Sports’ James “Underdog” Schulte scored a unanimous decision win in his bout with Muay Thai fighter Josh “Zen” Montano. Although Zen had a great 3rd round (even getting mount), he just never really let his hands go.

Frankie Saenz from Genesis MMA  fought Edwin Louis. Louis’s Muay Thai background was evident, but Saenz’s solid takedowns and ground and pound scored him a win by unanimous decision.

Gracie Academy’s Doug Moore had several submission attempts in his bout against Apex’s Steve Maultsby. He won by rear naked choke.

Apex MMA’s Joe Yager scored a unanimous decision win, defeating former ASU wrestler Jed Jobe.

And here’s hoping Wisconsin’s local fight scene is as exciting as Arizona’s!

Photo by Michelle Gagne