Greenberg vs. Barrera at Treasure Island: Fight Recap

Shana Olsen vs. Mariah Johnson

Armed with our notebook, camera and a whole lot of love, Todd Butkowski and I headed out to Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Red Wing, MN on Valentine’s Day weekend to cover a night of fights. After uncharacteristically loading up on carbs at the Tradewinds Buffet, we took our seats and waited for the night of fights to begin. Live tweets, as always, were posted from the fights–I’m @treelizard).

Gabe  Greenberg vs. Chris Barrera

The main event was a 145-lb. bout between Red Wing’s own Gabe “Colombian Contract Killer” Greenberg vs. Devil Den’s Chris “Boss” Barrera. Barrera came out with kicks and knees, and the two fighters traded leg kicks. Greenberg scored a huge punch, landing a takedown and a bit of ground and pound and winning the bout by KO in 48 seconds. Greenberg made reference to training with Jackson MMA and is seeking a WEC contract which he surely deserves. Until then, he seemed more than happy to grant Ryan Stock a rematch. That’s a fight we’d love to see.

Jeremy Hamilton vs. Mike Downey

In the co-main event of the evening, Ambiton MMA’s Jeremy Hamilton defeated Mike Downey by ridiculously quick KO–12 seconds.

Mariah Johnson vs. Shana “Rock Solid” Olsen

Although Iowa kickboxer Mariah Johnson was listed as 7-0 on the fightcard, which also had Shana at 3-0, this was actually Johnson’s pro MMA debut and Shana’s third professional MMA fight.) Johnson, who was much smaller, came out swinging hard. Shana landed a quick takedown, transitioning to side and landing punches, then trapping Johnson’s arm ands coring more punches. Shana won by TKO in 1:48 in the first round. Here’s hoping for some real competition next time.

Morrison “Ghost Faced Killer” Lamb vs. Eddie “Killer Chimp” Larrea

The next bout was an incredible showing.  In the first round, Appleton wrestler Morrison Lamb scored a big punch followed by a takedown, and then ended up against the fence in clinch. He scored another takedown while Larrea pulled guard. Lamb attempted another takedown, eating a big punch and responding with kicks to the body. Larrea took some time for what he said was a groin shot (which didn’t look like one from our end). The two traded leg kicks with Lamb eating punches, and then Larrea took his back and again ended up in the guard of Morrison Lamb. He landed hard head punches until the end of the round, which we thought was too close to call. In the second round, Larrea faked another groin shot. Then the two traded kicks, with Lamb trying to get a solid takedown and Larrea taking his back and sinking in an armbar. Eddie Larrea wins by 2nd round armbar.

Cody “Howling Mad Dog” Pasquale vs. Bobby “the Bully” Ferrier

Ferrier scored a 1st round TKO in 3:07. Although this bout took place at 155, when asked what was next for him Ferrier said he wanted Schilling’s 145-lb belt.

Steve Merrill vs. Team Crazy’s Ryan “the Prodigy” Stock

Iowa wrestler Steve Merrill stepped into this fight as a last-minute replacement. Although Stock won by rear naked choke in 4:50, we were impressed with Merrill’s heart and takedowns. In the post-fight interview, Stock asked to fight the winner of the main event fight between Greenberg and Barrera.

Ambition MMA’s “Thrilling” Pat Schilling vs. Team Insanity’s Justin Morrison

This bout was a hard-fought three-round battle for the Brutaal Genesis 145-lb. amateur title belt. The first round transitioned from ground to standup, with Morrison getting a guillotine and big knees and Schilling responding with punches, and the two taking turns getting pounded on the ground. It’s bad form to admit that differentiating between the two fighters was difficult, but we scored the round 10-9 for Schilling. In the second round, Schilling came out with big knees and punches as Morrison took his back and attempted a choke before ending up in North/South, with Schilling pulling guard and then ending up in top position. The round ended with an armbar attempt by Justin Morrison. We scored the round 10-9 for Morrison. In the third and final round, Schilling scored a big punch, took Morrison’s back and sunk in a rear naked choke, winning the bout 25 seconds into the round.

Hugh Cornick vs. Kelly Byers

This took place at 195 pounds. After exchanging knees and jockeying for position in clinch against the cage, Byers scored a quick KO win.

St. Cloud’s “Muddy” Joe McChesney (making his professional MMA debut) vs. Rochester’s Corey Grzybowski

This exciting back-and-forth bout was at 165 lbs. McChesney scored the first takedown, with Grzybowski retaliating with a takedown of his own. McChesney attempted a guillotine and transitioned to North/South. Grzybowski returned the guillotine and landed a lot of nice knees and big punches. Lots of back and forth with McChesney appearing gassed and Grzybowski visibly shaken. McChesney lands some big punches and Grzybowski takes him down and gets some ground and pound from mount and attempts a choke. McChesney then gets mount and lands punches, winning by TKO 2:11 into the second round. Great showing by both fighters in this back-and-forth battle.

Lance Harding (Ambition MMA) vs. Team Crazy’s Cody “the Cannibal” Furlong.

Harding got an early takedown, Furlong pulled guard and attempted a guillotine. Furlong quickly took his back and scored some punches, defeating Furlong by way of rear naked choke.

We continue to be impressed with how smoothly these shows run and how great the talent is. We’ll be covering Brutaal at Epic on February 26th. Photos by Todd Butkowski. Special thanks to Cindy Taube, Treasure Island and to Brutaal MMA.