UFC fighters Matt Hughes, Joe Riggs, Edwin Dewees and Gilbert Aldana made special guest appearances at RITC 78 welcoming fans to a new year of Rage in the Cage action.

In a stunning upset, Robert Beraun decisively beat UFC and Pride veteran Ricco Rodriguez by unanimous decision.  Beraun landed many hard punches to the head and was able to withstand Ricco’s submission skills on the ground for the well deserved win.  This impressive victory earned Fighter of the Night ( FOTN ) for Beraun.  Beraun was coming off a KO victory over Aaron Brink two months ago where he earned FOTN honors there.

Other notable fights included Jamie Varner winning the vacant Welterweight championship and Rich Beecroft upsetting Andy Montana with a perfectly executed kimura.

Other candidates for FOTN were David Smith, Sean Ballantine, Joe Lira, Jeremiah Navarro, Rich Beecroft, Gerald Perkins, Steve Cantwell and Jamie Varner.

Three schools went undefeated for the evening:  ACMMA ( 4-0 ), Team Sacrifice ( 3-0 ) and One Kicks Gym ( 2-0 ).

Results:

Fight #1

Jesse Barrett ( 183 ), ACMMA
won by ref stoppage ( strikes ),  1:03  Rd 1
Justin Fisher ( 185 ), Team Brausa

Fight #2

Daniel Betzold ( 161 ), ACMMA
won by decision ( 3-0 )
Josh Donahoo ( 153 ), Team Brausa

Fight #3

David Smith ( 148 ), One Kicks Gym
won by submission ( arm bar ),  2:47  Rd 1
Rosco McClellan ( 150 )

Fight #4

Sean Ballantine ( 197 ), US Army
won by submission ( ankle lock ),  1:47  Rd 1
Chris Devno ( 207 ), AJJA

Fight #5

Andrew Brittin ( 173 ), ACMMA
won by submission ( key lock ), 1:04  Rd 2
John Ivicevic ( 171 ), AMAC

Fight #6

Jamie Schmidt ( 177 ), ACMMA
won by ref stoppage ( strikes ),  1:14  Rd 1
Jason Cassel ( 184 ), Freestyle

Fight #7

Joe Lira ( 150 ), Team Sacrifice
won by ref stoppage ( strikes ),  2:04  Rd 2
Robert Davis ( 140 ), AMAC

Fight #8

Jeremiah Navarro ( 161 ), Team Sacrifice
won by submission ( choke ),  1:41  Rd 2
Richie Reyes ( 168 ), Devil’s Den

Fight #9

Rich Beecroft ( 236 ), No Regrets
won by submission ( kimura ),  :38  Rd 1
Andy Montana ( 261 ), Genesis JJ

Fight #10

Gerald Perkins ( 174 ), Team Hardcore
won by submission ( choke ),  2:16  Rd 1
Anthony Triliegi ( 179 ), Freestyle

Fight #11

Steve Cantwell ( 205 ), One Kicks Gym
won by submission ( arm bar ),  2:01  Rd 1
Mike Ashford ( 204 ), Devil’s Den

Fight #12 ( Welterweight Championship )

Jamie Varner ( 169 ), ACS
won by submission ( choke ),  1:07  Rd 2
Leonard Wilson ( 164 ), C.C.K.K.

Fight #13 ( Main Event )

Robert Beraun ( 256 ), No Regrets
won by decision ( 3-0 )
Ricco Rodriguez ( 330 ), Team Punishment

Visit www.rageinthecage.com for more information.

Upcoming Events:

RITC 79
Desert Diamond Casino ( Tucson )
Friday Feb 24, 2006

RITC 80
Fort McDowell Casino ( Fountain Hills )
Saturday Mar 18, 2006

RITC 81
Glendale Arena
Apr, 2006

RITC 82
Fort McDowell Casino ( Fountain Hills )
Saturday May 20, 2006

RITC 83
Desert Diamond Casino ( Tucson )
Friday June, 2006