Pierson putting Bruno away with an armbar

ICE 14 returned to its hallowed home at Metropolis Night Club in Fairfield, OH. The weather could not hold the fans back as familiar faces made the trek to catch the best amateur MMA action in the tri-state area. The night was built around rematches with rising stars Trevor Garret and Maurice Walker facing familiar foes in heated action. Team Shoot, Meat Truck Inc., The Killingfields, Monroe Martial Arts, and SACAN Martial Arts were all represented by young fighters, each looking to make their mark in the ICE cage. With UFC stars Tim Sylvia and Rich Franklin, along with KOTC veteran Jorge Gurgel and "The Ultimate Fighter" cast member Josh Rafferty in attendance, there was plenty of star power for the fans. A solid night of action along with 2 muay thai exhibition bouts awaited. Now let’s get to the action.

Joe Faut vs. Alex Rosario

Michigan fighter Alex “Wolverine” Rosario took on London, OH fighter Joe “Fizz” Faut to open the evening. The entire fight followed the same pattern with Rosario getting the opening takedown and pounding from the top. Faut had no answer for the takedowns and although he almost sunk in a few guillotine attempts, there was no real answer to the onslaught of Rosario. Rosario lived up to his nickname as he savagely dropped elbow after elbow to the side of Fauts head. Faut survived all three rounds but still found himself on the losing end of a unanimous decision loss.

Matt Jaggers vs. John Pressel

Team Wolfpack member Matt Jaggers faced a tattooed John Pressel from out of the Killingfields. Sporting a Heather Herring type haircut, Pressel ate a huge punch and knee combination and quickly fell in the opening few seconds. Smelling blood, Jaggers followed up and pounded away from within the guard of Pressel. Unable to take anymore punishment, Pressel was forced to tap at 28 seconds into round 1.

Tyler Combs vs. Scott Zink

“Superman” Tyler Combs attempted to improve on his 1 and 3 record by taking on Meat Truck INC. member Scott Zink. In what was a very entertaining and evenly matched fight, both fighters had their moments. Combs secured the early takedown and pounded knees into the body of Zink. Zink did defend well, holding on from the bottom and slippingnumerous punches. Going into round 2, Combs again secured the takedown, but this time landed a spinning slam only seen on wrestling shows which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Combs was firmly in control of the fight, but when he went for the kimura, Zink reversed it beautifully and found himself on top in a prime position. Eventually, Zink worked his way into the mount and forced Combs to give up his back. Zink almost ended the fight with a rear naked choke, but Combs listened to his corner beautifully and found off the attempt. Combs eventually slips out of the hold and both traded strikes towards the end of round 2.

Round 3 had both fighters throwing trying to knock the other out. Combs began to regain control forcing the action and landing some solid punches, one almost knocking out the mouthpiece of Zink. After three action packed rounds, the judges awarded a narrow split decision victory to Combs.

Mark Bruno vs. Gerald Pierson

ICE veteran Gerald Pierson looked to continue his winning ways against Team Shoot member Mark Bruno. Bruno, looking to improve on his 7 second KO loss against Greg Franklin two ICE shows ago, came in game and gained the initial takedown. From there, Pierson held tight, controlling both of Bruno’s arms, minimizing the attack. Without any action, Referee Rich Franklin stood back up both fighters. Getting slammed first was unusual for Pierson, so when they stood up, Pierson immediately grabbed Bruno and slammed him viciously onto the floor. From there, Bruno defended well, and almost locked in a heel hook, but the round ended before he could really crank it.

Round 2 began with Pierson getting the takedown once again and working for a submission. When the kimura was not there, Pierson went for the armbar. Although Bruno tried valiantly to roll out of it, Pierson would not let go and Bruno was forced to tap at 1:15 of round 2.

Rich Thurston vs. Mike Pegg

Meat Truck Inc. member Rich Thurston, making his return to the cage after his horrific elbow accident at a previous ICE show, looked to get his first win against Killingfield and Monroe Martial Arts member Mike “the Pitbull” Pegg. Unfortunately, the 270 lb. Pegg steamrolled over Thurston, dropping him with big punches and a huge knee. From there, Pegg jumped on his down opponent, and with a 270 lb. man on your back dropping down hammer fists, Thurston had no other option but to verbally submit at :53 seconds of round 1.

Chris Malgeri vs. Danny Ives

Miletich Fighter and jiu-jitsu specialist Danny Ives made his long awaited return to the cage taking on Combat Submission specialist Chris Malgeri. Round 1 had Ives taking control of the fight, getting the opening takedown on Malgeri. Ives utilizes his jiu-jitsu and direction from Tim Sylvia in his corner and attempted a kimura. Noticing that it was coming, Malgeri beautifully reversed it and found himself in the guard of Ives. Ives did not remain there for long as he himself reverses again to gain back control. Malgeri found well from the bottom, throwing the occasional elbow or shot to the face of Ives as round 1 came to a close.

Round 2 had Ives getting the takedown again and slowly attempting to pass the guard. Malgeri defended well, moving his hips, but eventually Ives pressure payed off and he snuck in an armbar that forces Malgeri to tap at 2:31 of round 2.

Joe smith vs. Geno Rodderick

Indiana fighter Geno Roddrick took on London, OH fighter Joe Smith in the 9th fight of the evening. Roddrick’s wrestling was too much as he literally back suplexed Smith onto his head. From there, Roddrick worked to take the back of Smith who had no retaliation and succumbed to a perfect rear naked choke at 1:03 of round 1.

Dan Conner vs. Steve Banks

Ian Freeman look-a-like Dan “Thunderfoot” Conner brought his 13-0 undefeated record into the ICE cage to take on Meat Truck Inc. member Steve Banks. Unfortunately, the fight did not last long as Banks dropped Conner with a big right hand and followed up with about 8 undefended hammerfists to the side of Conner’s head. Referee Franklin had saw enough and called a stop to the fight in a quick :15 seconds of round 1.

Josh Cain vs. Trevor Garrett

In a rematch from ICE 13, Team Victim member Josh Cain got his shot once again at “The Experiment” Trevor Garrett from the Killingfields. In their first fight, Garrett won a close fight when the fight was stopped by Franklin. Cain said that the fight was stopped too early and wanted a rematch. Garrett was happy to oblige. The hard punching Garrett wasted no time head hunting as the fight began, throwing bombs from both hands. Before Cain could even fight back, Garrett landed a beautiful left hook that completely knocked out Cain. Cain fell lifelessly onto the floor and Garrett followed up with a forearm shot for good measure. Fortunately, Cain was o.k. after some medical attention and Garrett was declared the winner in a quick :26 seconds in round 1. Garrett now finds himself in line for bigger shows. Rumor had it that he was to fight Phil Baroni in L.A. but that fell through. Keep your eye on this up and coming fighter as one “prominent” promoter said that he has the potential to knock out most guys in the UFC. Those are some big words to live up to. Can Garrett live up to the hype, we will just have to wait and see.

Jon Murphy vs. Maurice Walker

The main event of the evening had another rematch all the way from ICE 8, as professional boxer/MMA fighter Jon Murphy from Minersville, PA took on Meat Truck Inc. member Maurice “Blue Magic” Walker. This fight also ended in a bit of controversy the first time (See my ICE 8 review in the archives) and both fighters were here to settle the score once and for all.

Round 1 had both fighters jockeying for position in the clinch. Neither man wanted to give up much, pushing and reversing each other into the cage, and dropping a few knees up close. Each fighter attempted a takedown, but the other defended well and round one came to a close with both men still trying to gain position.

Round 2 action picked up as Murphy was finally able to get the takedown. Walker immediately pulled guard and held on tight, hooking in both of Murphy’s arms. With no action from the top, Referee Franklin stood back up both fighters. Both fighters traded a few good shots and Walker almost got the judo throw, but Murphy held his ground and round 2 came to an end.

With the fight way too close to call, round 3 would have to be the deciding factor. Both fighters looked to throw, with Walker landing the more significant kicks and punches. But just when you thought Murphy was starting to gas, he hands a huge right hand to the face of Walker. Although this punch would have knocked out most fighters, Walker ate the punch but was visibly dazed. Smelling blood, Murphy came charging and began unleashing some heavy leather with Walker covering up. Eventually, Walker was able to get the clinch and seemed to have been able to shake the cobwebs out. As the round neared its end, both fighters were again cautious, not wanting to get caught with the one big KO punch. With the seconds ticking away, Murphy again landed another huge left, but this time, Walker was unable to recover and Murphy was awarded the KO at 2:58 of round 3. Murphy showed much improved standup from his last appearance at the ICE show, and Walker showed the heart and rock solid chin of a seasoned veteran. One can only hope that these two explosive fighters will once again please the ICE crowd by doing it one more time. Only time will tell.

Any unauthorized use of any Photo’s or stories without the expressed written consent of MMA Ring Report LTD is strictly prohibited.