Chatham’s Steve Eldridge Crowned MCC Champ
Chatham’s Steve Eldridge was crowned 155-pound champion at Maple City Cage Fighting’s Amateur Fight Night 2
Chatham’s Steve Eldridge took his spot in the history books in front of a sold out crowd, becoming the first ever title holder for Maple City Cage Fighting on Saturday night.
Eldridge, 26 years old and training out of Chatham BJJ and C-K Combat, was crowned champion of the 155-pound division with a split decision victory over Craig “Carny” Arnel in the main event of Amateur Fight Night 2.
Arnel took the vacant tournament finals spot after an injury to Hamilton’s Bradley Dimic. Eldridge publicly acknowledged that Dimic has earned a title shot and he looks forward to squaring off with his original opponent.
“It feels glorious,” said Eldridge. “I had a feeling I had the fight in my grasp, but had to gut it out for the third round. (Arnel) can take a shot. That’s a tough guy.”
The new champ coined the words of pro wrestling’s Ric Flair, telling the capacity audience “to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.” Right now, Steve Eldridge is the man!
The standing room only, sold out crowd inside the Chatham Banquet & Conference Centre was electric at times through the evening, cheering on local fighters and new adopted favourites.
C-K fighters faired very well on the card, with wins in the cage from Devon Mailloux in her amateur debut as well as Adam Gladue and Matt Dawson.
Chatham’s Matt ‘The Pitbull’ Dawson advanced to the finals of the 135-pound title tournament, winning an exciting three-round bout with a guillotine choke at 35 seconds of the third over Marc Gillespie. Dawson declared himself an “animal on the loose” and issued a warning to his fellow semi-final combatants.
Tony Laramie will go toe-to-toe with Dawson after a submission via rear naked choke at 2:06 of the first round over Ryan Yapsam. Laramie and Dawson created fireworks with some verbal sparring and a near physical altercation, creating heavy anticipation for Amateur Fight Night 3 in June, where the two will do battle for the 135-pound championship.
Chatham’s Adam Gladue turned in another impressive performance with a first round arm bar defeat of Nathan Dinkelmann while Tilbury’s Devon Mailloux debuted in fine form, beating Greta Dearing by arm bar submission in the second round.
Natia “The Heartbreaker” Biason continued to turn heads with her second victory with MCC, a first round win by rear naked choke over Chatham’s Karolyn Pham. Pham was credited by her opponent for her fine form, and for taking the fight on late notice, while holding her own.
Maple City Cage Fighting will hold Amateur Fight Night 3 on June 4th. Tickets are on sale March 4th from Gracie Barra Chatham (Richmond Street). Find complete details online at maplecitycagefighting.com and “LIKE” Maple City Cagefighting on Facebook.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS CAN BE FOUND BELOW – courtesy of Paul Jerry. Check out more from Paul Jerry on YouTube by CLICKING HERE!
FULL MCC2 Results:
-Justin Arnold def. Kyle Dittmer by TKO in 59 sec of first round
-Devon Mailloux def Greta Dearing by Armbar at 1:42 in second round
-Robbie Luciani def Joel Elliot by Decision
-Tom Nickerson def Rob Alderton by Split Decision
-Andy Tiet def Byron Sanchuk by TKO at 2:04 in round 3
-Adam Gladue def Nathan Dinkelmann by Armbar at 2:38 in first round
-Kyle Yost def Brian Martin by Decision
-Matt Dawson def Marc Gillespie by Choke at 35 seconds in round 3
-Tony Laramie def Ryan Yapsam by RNC at 2:06 in first round
-Natia Biason def Karolyn Pham by RNC at 1:56 in 1st round
-Steve Eldridge def Craig Arnel by Split Decision making him the new 155lb Champion!