MMA Recap

Shrine Exhibition Hall To Host Smackdown At The Shrine On March 4th; Miller Vs. Grant Headlines

by Matt Clarmont - 03-03-2010

On Thursday, March 4th, California will be invaded by MEZ Sports' presentation of Smackdown at the Shrine from the historic Shrine Exhibition Hall in Los Angeles and the promotion's first ever hybrid MMA and Boxing event. The 13 fight card will feature 8 Mixed Martial Arts and 5 Boxing bouts with two MMA fights serving as co-headliners, culminating in a main event between an underrated Aaron Miller (9-6) and Team Quest Murrietta's Cory Grant (3-1). Several other Inland Empire fighters are also set to take part in the undercard.

Aaron Miller hails from Sparta MMA and last competed in Ontario, California where he handed Vince Ortiz his first career loss in a bout he took on short notice as a replacement for Bellator-signed Georgi Karakhanyan. In a thrilling affair, Miller dominated the stand-up before lifting Ortiz into the air and knocking him out with a slam that sent his head ricocheting off of the canvas. He fights, on average, every two months and has both lost to and beat some very good, young fighters.

Cory Grant has had a relatively short career and will probably fill an underdog role. His career only spans four fights but his lone loss came to Shooto legend Rumina Sato last October at Vale Tudo Japan 2009. He was a decorated All-American amateur wrestler in college and now trains at Dan Henderson's Team Quest in Murrietta, California, a gym well known to hone excellent wrestlers into powerhouse mixed martial artists.

In the night's co-main event, Nick Reale (6-2) will look to continue his blooming career against Steve Magdaleno (6-1). Reale, who hails from South Coast Fight Club and has spent considerable time training at Mike Guymon's Jokers Wild gym as well, reached the finals of the Worlds Collide MMA tournament but before he could face Dustin Phillips for the crown, the event that would hold the bout was canceled.

Magdaleno represents one third of successful trio of MMA pros fighting out of Vladimir Matyushenko's VMAT fight team that includes “The Janitor” himself and Jared Hamman. His perfect record saw its first blemish at the M-1 Challenge 2009 Semifinals where he dropped a unanimous decision to a highly regarded prospect in his own right, Ivan George.

Rounding out the MMA portion of the show are several combatants from Riverside Submission including Todd Willingham (2-1) and Andrew Flores (7-7). Kenny McCorkell (6-2) is also scheduled to compete just two weeks removed from a dominating victory over Daryl Smith at Gladiator Challenge Vision Quest.

Check back for full results and a recap of the event on Thursday night. Also be on the lookout for a more in-depth look at the promotion in the words of the promoter as we will be interviewing Craig Zimmerman next week.

Full fight card is listed below (subject to change):

MMA bouts (scheduled for (3) 3-minute rounds)

Cody Goodale (Riverside Submission) vs. Nick Modaghham (No Limits) Heavyweight

Ronald Lebreton, Jr. (Riverside Submission) vs. Kenny McCorkell (Sparta) Middleweight

Todd Willingham (Riverside Submission) vs. George Valdez (Palm Spring Ju Jitsu) Lightweight

Cesar Urquilla (Sparta) vs. Joe Lewis (Brian Warren’s Unbreakable Gym) Welterweight

Armando Sanchez (Riverside Submission) vs. Brian Abram (Team Oyama) Featherweight

Andrew Flores (Riverside Submission) vs. Rafael del Real (Unattached) Middleweight

Nick Reale (South Coast Fight Club) vs. Steve Magdaleno (VMAT) Lightweight

Aaron Miller (Sparta) vs. Cory Grant (Team Quest) Lightweight


Boxing bouts

Seth Keeling vs. Mike Lee 4 rounds Cruiserweight

Heder Rivas vs. Nichoulas Briannes 4 rounds Lightweight

Ricky Duenas vs. Johnny Suarez 6 rounds Welterweight

Ernesto Zavala vs. Jason Davis 8 rounds Welterweight

Damien Wills vs. Billy Willis 8 Rounds Heavyweight

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