Make Your Invicta Picks

The seventh Invicta card takes place December 7th, so it is time once again to make your predictions on the winners. As always, it is very simple how to vote, pick your winner and whether it be a knockout, submission or decision. Also at the end you make place your prediction for Fight of the Night.

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My Tribute To Jillian Reville

This is not an interview. This is not a story. You will notice I am not using my normal stage pictures or modeling pictures like I usually do. Instead you are stuck with pictures that include me. The reason is, I am not writing this in my normal fashion. This instead is my tribute to an amazing friend, Jillian Reville.

About four years ago, my journey from obese to a bodybuilding stage began. I met and talked with some awesome athletes. However their were two that I did not seek to communicate, because for some reason I was intimidated. Intimidated may not be the best word choice, but what I felt was similar to that feeling when you are intimidated by someone. One of those people were Jillian Reville. I don't know what it was exactly. We had mutual friends, and I was even afraid to have those friends ask her if she would do an interview with me. To be honest, I think part of it was, she seemed high maintenance, like someone who would look at me with a "who is this creep" look. I would see pictures of her on stage, and she looked different from most other competitors, not in a good or bad way, just different. Plus I knew she had some kind of important job, I just didn't know what it was.

Finally one day, I summoned the nerve to ask her to do an interview. The date was December 20th 2009. It wasn't until January 3rd of 2010 that she responded, and by that time, I figured she wasn't gonna respond, I was destined to remain in schmoeville with her. But she did respond and say she was interested, although the response, made me wonder if she really was. I messaged again, and she sent this response "ok cool:) yea send it to both. haha to be honest i am only home at night for about an hour before i go to sleep, and in the time i have to eat, shower and prep for the next day! so work email is great so i can work on it during the day if i have a minute here and there:) thanks for thinking of me and i look forward to checking out your blog!". Sounded interested, but I also felt she threw in her being so busy as sort of an out, a way to not have to do the interview, as back then they were by email and time consuming. But low and behold, she did the interview. And it was a really good one to.

Over time we shared facebook messages. Back then, I was still trying to drop weight and I had as many of you know, some real ups and downs. During one of those down moments, Jillian sent me this, "hey dont give up!! sometimes life sucks ass... believe me i have been through a lot over the past 4 months and i almost gave up too.. but this makes me happy, and i know training makes you happy, so dont give up... things will get better.... i promise...". I thought to myself "how cool, she hardly knows me and is taking time out to encourage me."

At the 2011 Arnold's Jerry Beck was kind enough to get me a pass for working his booth, even though I wasn't. Jillian was working that booth. With the pass, I got in early, before doors opened, and headed straight for the Iron Asylum booth because I had to meet her in person. She gave me a hug soon as she saw me. I soon learned, that is just how she is. If she cares about you, she really cares about you. I felt honored to be one of those people. Since then, a friendship really grew. I learned she wasn't high maintenance at all, in fact, she was the opposite. When I had problems or just needed advice, Jillian was and is a text or call away.

I am not gonna go over her competing career or anything. I will say I remember when she decided to go the physique route, I was excited. I wasn't sure of my thoughts of the division, but I thought Jillian had the right for physique and what they were saying the division would be like. She showed that when she won her pro card. I remember late night texts telling her how good she was gonna do at the next pro show, her sending me texts with progress pics and me being amazed at improvements. Those meant a lot to me, because it meant I was one of the people she trusted enough and thought enough of to send them to me. When she became Olympia qualified, I can not tell you how happy I was. She had worked hard for it and deserved it.

But as you probably know by now, something happened at the Olympia. I am not going to go into details, as Amanda Eva did an excellent job of that, so you can read all about it on her blog here. But long story short, after some medical issues, Jillian found out she had a hole in her heart and actually had a stroke. She texted me to tell me about it awhile back. I was at the gym, and even in the text I could tell how upset she was. I walked to the men's room so no one saw me cry. I cried for three reasons. 1. I was scared for her 2. I knew how upset she was 3. That she thought so much of me to tell me before she announced it, made even more special when she said she wanted to reveal it on my show.

Jillian is set to have surgery to fix it. It will keep her from training and most likely competing in 2014. In this sport, we spend so much time training are bodies, adding muscle wherever muscle can be added. In my mind, this is just time for Jillian to train another body part, her heart.

Jillian, I have had the honor to know you for four years and the honor of calling you my friend. This is something you will beat. Another obstacle that has been placed in your way for you to show the world what you can do. In that message I wrote earlier, you told me not to give up, and as you have since learned, when I set my mind to something, I do not stop. One of the people who taught me that, is you. This is not going to stop you. This condition made a mistake, it attacks the heart, but didn't know you have one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. I know tons of people have said this to you, but as a friend, I love ya and am always here for you. Just like I will be on stage one day after I get this skin issue fixed, you will one day be back on that stage, and the whole world will know what you are capable of. I know tons of people have said this to you, but as a friend, I love ya and am always here for you.

"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity."
Albert Schweitzer

NAAFS Combat Challenge 25 Report

NAAFS Combat Challenge 25 on October 5th was an exciting amateur card. It was the semi-finals for the amateur series titles with the winners meeting in December. A few very nice finishes and a couple results that I would not have predicted. In the main event, R.J. Buck continued to be one of, if not the most improved amateur in the area with a win in an exciting fight with Tobiaus Taylor. J.T. Miller continued his trend of early stoppage victories, Jeff Hughes showed he is more than just a knockout artist, Nick Browne put on a solid wrestling display and Jerrell Hodge looked really impressive gaining another win.

1. Amateur Welterweight 3x3x3 Rounds
John Mumaw (0-0 Independent) vs Josh Paulus (0-0 Savage MMA)

RD 1: Paulus drops him with a cross and gets side control. Paulus gets mount and lands head shots. More head shots by Paulus. Paulus goes for an arm and looks for a key lock but can't get it. More head shots by Paulus and the ref stops it.

Result: Josh Paulus by TKO at 1:51 of Round 1

2. Amateur Lightweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Jason Stull (0-0 Independent) vs Ahmad Douglas (0-0 GriffonRawl)

RD 1: Leg kick by Douglas. They trade punches. Leg kick by Douglas. Leg kick by Stull. Slam by Douglas into half guard. Douglas gets his back and lands head shots till the ref stops it.

Result: Ahmad Douglas by TKO at 1:00 of Round 1

3. Amateur Lightweight 3x3x3 Rounds

Scottie Moritz (1-0 Independent) vs Geoff Salyers (1-0 East Palestine Fight Club)

RD 1: Hard body kick by Moritz. Leg kick by Salyers. Hook by Salyers. They clinch on the cage. Knee to the body by Moritz. They separate. Salyers shoots and they clinch on the cage. Knee to the body by Moritz. Salyers is gassed. Salyers shoots but Moritz lands on top and gets mount and lands head shots.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Moritz

RD 2: Salyers shoots but can't get the takedown. Hook by Salyers. Leg kick by Salyers. Leg kick by Moritz. Hook by Salyers. They clinch on the cage but separate quick. Hook and leg kick by Moritz. Leg kick by Moritz. Jab by Salyers. Body kick by Salyers. Leg kick by Moritz. Jab by Moritz. Body kick by Moritz. They trade jabs. Leg kick by Moritz. Jab by Moritz.
I scored RD 2: 10-9 Moritz

RD 3: They trade punches. Hook by Salyers. Salyers is really tired. Leg kick by Salyers. Salyers gets a takedown but Moritz lands on top in half guard and lands head shots. Body shots by Moritz. Head shots by Moritz. Salyers gets full guard. More head shots by Moritz. Moritz gets side control and lands more head shots. Salyers gets half guard. More head shots by Moritz.
I scored RD 3: 10-9 Moritz
My score card: 30-27 Moritz

Result: Scottie Moritz by Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27)

4. Amateur Bantamweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Ray Gillies (4-4 Dayton Vision MMA) vs Seth Shaffer (4-0 Instigator Fight Team)

RD 1: Leg kick by Shaffer. Jab by Gillies. Leg kick by Shaffer. Hook to the body by Gillies. They clinch on the cage. Knee to the body by Shaffer. They trade knees to the leg. Knee to the leg by Shaffer. Knees to the body by Shaffer. Knee to the body by Gillies. They trade knees to the leg. Two uppercuts by Gillies. Takedown by Shaffer into side control. Punch to the head by Shaffer.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Shaffer

RD 2: They trade punches. Takedown by Shaffer into guard. Head shots by Shaffer. Gillies defends well. Head shots from the bottom by Gillies. Shaffer stands and drops down head shots. They stand and clinch on the cage. Punch to the body by Gillies. Knee to the body by Shaffer. Hard knee to the body by Gillies.
I scored RD 2: 10-9 Shaffer

RD 3: Leg kick by Shaffer. Leg kick by Gillies. Shaffer accidentally pokes him in the eye stopping action. They resume and Gillies lands a jab to the body. They clinch on the cage. Knee to the body by Shaffer and another. Punch to the body by Gillies. Uppercut by Gillies. Shaffer is working hard for a takedown. Body shots by Gillies. Slam by Shaffer into side control. Shaffer gets mount and lands a punch to the head. Gillies pulls guard. Body shots by Shaffer.
I scored RD 3: 10-9 Shaffer
My score card: 30-27 Shaffer

Result: Seth Shaffer by Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27)

5. Amateur Middleweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Hassan Crutcher (3-0 Rising Dragon) vs Cody Tominack (4-10 Ohio Valley MMA)

RD 1: They trade hooks. They clinch and move to the cage. Knee to the leg by Crutcher. Body shots by Crutcher. Knee to the body by Crutcher. Knee to the leg by Crutcher. Takedown by Tominack into guard. Punch to the head by Tominack. Crutcher is warned for holding the cage. Tominack gets his back and then mount. Head shots by Tominack. Crutcher sweeps and gets on top and then north south. Punch to the body by Crutcher and another.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Crutcher

RD 2: Leg kick by Crutcher. They trade hard punches. They clinch on the cage. Knee to the leg by Crutcher. Knee to the body by Crutcher. Punch to the leg by Crutcher. Hard knees to the body by Crutcher. Knee to the leg by Crutcher. They separate and Crutcher lands punches. They clinch on the cage. Takedown by Tominack into guard. Crutcher defends well. Punch to the head from the bottom by Crutcher. Punch to the head by Tominack.
I scored RD 2: 10-9 Crutcher

RD 3: Leg kick by Crutcher. They clinch on the cage. Knee to the body by Tominack. Knee to the leg by Crutcher. More knees to the leg by Crutcher. Takedown by Tominack into mount. Tominack looks for a choke but can't get it. Punch to the body by Tominack. Tominack is cut over and under his eye. Crutcher gets half guard. Tominack moves to side control but the round ends.
I scored RD 3: 10-9 Tominack
My score card: 29-28 Crutcher

Result: Cody Tominack by Unanimous Decision (29-28/29-28/29-28)

6. Amateur Lightweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Nick Foxhuber (6-1 Ronin Training Center) vs Fadi Shuman (4-0 Mad Dog Fight Team)

RD 1: They trade punches. Hook by Foxhuber. They clinch on the cage and separate. Knee to the body by Shuman. Hook by Foxhuber. Body kick by Shuman. They trade hard punches. Hook by Foxhuber. Another hook by Foxhuber. Cross by Foxhuber and another. They clinch in the center. Knee to the body by Foxhuber. They separate. Foxhuber lands punches against the cage. Cross by Shuman. Cross by Foxhuber. Cross by Shuman. Body kick by Shuman. Shuman is cut under his eye. Cross by Shuman.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Foxhuber

RD 2: Leg kick by Foxhuber. Cross to the body by Foxhuber. Body kick by Shuman. Jab by Shuman. Foxhuber drops him with a hook and lets him up. Foxhuber drops him again with a hook and gets on top landing head shots. Body shots by Foxhuber. Foxhuber gets his back and a rear naked for the tap.

Result: Nick Foxhuber by Tapout (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:20 of Round 2

7. Amateur Heavyweight 3x3x3 Rounds
James Bunn (3-0 Dayton Vision MMA) vs Jeff Hughes (10-2 Evolve MMA)

RD 1: Jab by Hughes. Bunn shoots in and they clinch on the cage. Knee to the leg by Bunn. They separate. Jab by Hughes. Hook by Hughes. Leg kick by Hughes. They clinch on the cage and separate. Hughes hurts him with punches. Hook by Hughes. They clinch on the cage and separate quick. Jab to the body by Hughes. Body kick by Hughes. Hook by Hughes. Bunn lands a knee low stopping action. They resume. Body kick by Hughes. Jab and uppercut by Hughes. They trade hooks. Hughes drops him with a hook and gets his back and lands a punch to the head.
I scored RD 1: 10-8 Hughes

RD 2: Jab by Hughes. Hook by Bunn. Leg kick by Hughes. Jab and hook by Hughes. They clinch on the cage. Bunn is trying hard for a takedown. They drop down and Hughes gets his back and lands head shots. Hughes gets a rear naked for the tap.

Result: Jeff Hughes by Tapout (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:17 of Round 2

8. Amateur Welterweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Caleb Fickert (6-2 Peak Submission) vs Josh Krizan (6-1 Wrestling Factory Cleveland)

RD 1: Jab by Fickert. Takedown by Krizan into side control. Fickert gets half guard. Head shots by Krizan. Krizan gets side control. Punch to the head by Krizan. More head shots by Krizan. Krizan traps an arm and then gets his back and lands head shots. Body shots by Krizan.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Krizan

RD 2: Body kick by Fickert. Slam by Krizan into half guard. Punch to the head by Krizan. Krizan gets mount and lands head shots. Fickert escapes and stands and Krizan takes him right back down into side control. Head shots by Krizan. Knee to the body by Krizan. Punch to the head by Krizan. Fickert gets half guard. Punch to the head by Krizan.
I scored RD 2: 10-9 Krizan

RD 3: Hook by Fickert. Takedown by Krizan into side control. Head shots by Krizan. More head shots by Krizan. Hammer fists by Krizan. More head shots by Krizan. Fickert gets guard. Body shots from the bottom by Fickert. Head shots by Krizan.
I scored RD 3: 10-9 Krizan
My score card: 30-27 Krizan

Result: Josh Krizan by Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27)

9. Amateur Featherweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Cheyne Jenkins (6-1 Mad Dog Fight Team) vs Jerrell Hodge (8-1 Evolve MMA)

RD 1: Leg kick by Jenkins. Hook by Hodge. Takedown by Hodge into side control. Head shots by Hodge. Jenkins goes for an arm and they stand. Cross by Jenkins. Leg kick by Jenkins. Jenkins shoots but Hodge sprawls and gets on top in north south. Head shots by Hodge. Hodge gets his back and lands head shots.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Hodge

RD 2: Cross by Hodge. Uppercut by Hodge. Jenkins shoots but Hodge sprawls and then gets mount. Hodge gets an arm triangle and gets the tap.

Result: Jerrell Hodge by Tapout (Arm Triangle) at 0:55 of Round 2

10. Amateur Middleweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Cory Bresson (6-3 Warrior MMA) vs J.T. Miller (4-0 Strong Style Fight Team)

RD 1: Jab and cross by Miller. They clinch on the cage. Knee to the body by Miller. More knees to the body by Miller. They separate. Cross to the body by Miller. Miller drops him with punches and gets his back and lands more till the ref stops it.

Result: J.T. Miller by TKO at 1:24 of Round 1

11. Amateur Lightweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Nick Browne (7-1 Uniontown Fight Club) vs Izzy Williams (5-1 Evolve MMA)

RD 1: Hook by Williams. Browne drops him with a hook and gets mount landing more head shots. Williams gets half guard. Browne stands and drops down a punch and lets him up. Takedown by Browne into half guard. Williams gets full guard. Browne stands and drops a punch and gets in half guard. They stand.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Browne

RD 2: Clinch on the cage. Browne is working hard for a takedown and gets it into side control. Williams gets half guard. Punch to the head by Browne. Williams gets full guard. The ref stands them. Hook by Browne. They clinch on the cage. Takedown by Browne into half guard. Williams gets full guard. Williams defends well. Punch to the body by Browne.
I scored RD 2: 10-9 Browne

RD 3: Uppercut by Williams. Takedown by Browne and he gets his back. Brown is bleeding for the forehead. Browne gets mount and lands head shots. Williams gets guard. Punch to the head by Browne. The ref stands them. Browne shoots in and gets a takedown but Williams looks for a guillotine as the round ends.
I scored RD 3: 10-9 Browne
My score card: 30-27 Browne

Result: Nick Browne by Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27)

12. Amateur Featherweight 3x3x3 Rounds
Tobiaus Taylor (3-0 Rising Dragon) vs R.J. Buck (11-4 Strong Style Fight Team)

RD 1: Leg kick by Taylor. Leg kick by Buck. Leg kick by Taylor. Throw by Buck into side control. Taylor rolls and they stand. Hook by Taylor. Takedown by Buck and her gets mount. Head shots by Buck. Hammer fist by Buck. Taylor sweeps and they stand clinched on the cage. Slam by Taylor into half guard. Buck pushes him off and they are in north south and then stand. Leg kick by Taylor.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Buck

RD 2: Clinch on the cage. Knees to the leg by Taylor. Takedown by Buck into half guard. Head shots by Buck. More head shots by Buck. Taylor Defends well. Taylor gets full guard. Body shots by Buck. Head shots by Buck.
I scored RD 2: 10-9 Buck

RD 3: Taylor hurts him with a hook and drops him. Taylor gets his back and lands head shots. They stand clinched on the cage. Takedown by Taylor into guard. Buck goes for an armbar and gets it for the tap.

Result: R.J. Buck by Tapout (Armbar) at 2:49 of Round 3

Submission of the Night: Jeff Hughes

Knockout of the Night: J.T. Miller

Fight of the Night: Tobiaus Taylor vs R.J. Buck