12/21/05: The North American Amateur Fight Series (NAAFS) held its inaugural show last weekend in Urbana, Ohio and if this event was any indication of things to come, fans can expect a very competitive and entertaining series in 2006. As the sport of mixed martial arts continues to expand and evolve, Ohio has been one of the first states to actively support the organization and expansion of MMA on the amatuer level. The NAAFS took its first step last weekend in creating what they feel will be a safe and fair environment for amatuer fighters to compete in what is one of the fastest growing sports in the world today.

Twenty fighters representing five states took part in the first ever Midwest Combat Challenge, part of the NAAFS 2006 series. Fighters participating in the NAAFS will work for a ranking and eventual spot in the NAAFS over-all standings which will pit the top two ranked fighters against one another in a year end finale next December. “Our goal is to give our fighters a chance to compete for a true amatuer title but to also insure that they will compete on a level playing field across the board” said NAAFS spokesman Jake Digman. The next NAAFS event is currently scheduled for March18th in Akron, Ohio. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia are also being considered for possible 2006 locations and a complete NAAFS 2006 schedule is expected to be released on PKW soon. Fighter interested in participating on future NAAFS events can visit www.Prokarateweekly.com for more information.

Midwest Combat Challenge Results

Anthony Zrinyi over Greg Carrier – RNC rd1

Steubenville, Ohio’s Anthony Zrinyi started the Next Level Fight Teams run of 5 straight wins at the 2005 Midwest Combat Challenge. Zrinyi showed some early hand speed and was able to briefly stun Carrier with a right hand in the opening moments. Zrinyi then followed with a strong take down and went to work on Carrier eventually sinking in the finishing choke late in the opening round.

Joe Heiland over Brian McCoy – KO rd2

Shelby, Ohio’s Joe Heiland made an impressive debut by knocking out the very game Brian McCoy in the night’s second bout. Heiland, who came in with a wrestling and boxing background wasted little time taking McCoy to the mat in the opening minute of the match. After gaining side control, Heiland scored early and often with punches and a series of ferocious knees to the body of McCoy and was able to control the round from start to finish. With just over a minute in to round two and with both fighters exchanging strikes, Heiland landed the finishing blow, an over hand right which ended what may have been the fight of the night.

Chase Jolly over Walt Felix – RNC rd1

Next up was a battle of up and coming welterweights as Newark’s Walt Felix took on Next Level’s Chase Jolly. After a brief feeling out process by both fighters, Jolly went on the attack gaining the take down and pinning Felix against the fence. From there it was a barrage of hammer fists and punches from Jolly which prompted Felix to give up his back. Jolly took advantage and ended the fight via rear naked choke in round one.

Tyler Combs over Henry Baird – KO rd1

Tyler “Superman” Combs earned his fifth career win as an amatuer by taking out the scrappy Henry Baird in the night’s fourth bout. Each side looked to make a statement early as both fighters came out swinging, but it was a knee to the face by Combs which would lead to the end of the night for Baird in the first.

John Prokopakis over Robert DeJene – RNC rd1

In a battle of MMA newcomers, John Prokopakis got the best of Dayton’s Robert DeJene in a quick but action packed fight. An opening flurry from DeJene was quickly answered by a Prokopakis take down and full control. From the mount, Prokopakis rained down strikes and eventually sunk in the winning submission to end the night fro DeJene. 

Jamie Walker over Troy Kappan – RNC rd1

Jamie Walker took out Troy Kappan as he looked to establish himself as a welterweight contender in the NAAFS. Kappan held his own early and showed good defense on the ground from multiple Walker submission attempts. Walker would stay persistent and work a solid ground game while finishing off Kappan via RNC.

Dustin Kempf over Rob Ross – Tapout (strike) rd1

New York’s Rob Ross next tangled with Dustin Kempf in a lightweight showdown. Kempf showed off with a well rounded attack and seemed to be equally versed in both his stand up and ground game. Kempf managed to finish off Ross from the full mount in just under one round.

Clay Coffman over Lee Clayburn – RNC rd1

It took nearly three rounds for Ohio’s Clay Coffman to take care of Indiana’s Lee Clayburn in what would be the night’s longest fight. The first two rounds went back and forth with both fighters imposing their will on the other, but it would be Coffman’s conditioning that would be the difference in a very good match up of light heavyweights. 

Josh Stansbury over Shad Conley – TKO (strikes) rd1

Next Levels Josh Stansbury made it two in a row with another impressive win over Ohio’s Shad Conley. As both fighters came out slugging it was Stansbury who did most of the damage eventually dropping Conley early into the opening round. Stansbury, now 2-0 is looking to make his way up the heavyweight ladder and will no doubt be a force in the NAAFS heavyweight division.

John Kuhner over Thomas Russell – Guillotine rd1

In a match up that featured two undefeated fighters, it was the patience and strategy of John Kuhner which paid off and led to a win over Peak Submissions Thomas Russell. Russell, who has blown thru his first two opponents, quickly locked up Kuhner and went for an early body slam to set the pace. Kuhner however would not panic and from his guard was able to sink in the winning guillotine choke nearly half way thru the opening round to earn the submission victory.