National Fighting Challenge 5: Trial By Fire

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Saturday, Nov 26, 2005

National Fighting Challenge 5: Trial By Fire

National Fighting Challenge 5: Trial by Fire
Held November 25, 2005
At the Squamish Nations Rec Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
By Mike Neva

As the clock struck 11PM, Jason MacDonald bounced lightly from left foot to right only pausing momentarily to take advice from his cornerman as he calmly awaited the arrival of adversary Kalib Starnes. With fights against five former UFC or Pride veterans under his belt, MacDonald took the fight on short notice against the lesser known, but highly touted Starnes. Originally Starnes was slated to face ATT – Olympia king pin, Dennis Hallman, who unfortunately re-aggravated a nagging groin injury only days before the event. As both fighters shook hands during the pre-fight instructions, the partisan Vancouver crowd began a chant of "Kalib … Kalib … Kalib." The bout began with both fighters cautiously measuring the distance with neither man landing any telling blows. Starnes then bull rushed into a clinch position, which MacDonald briefly fought within before being dumped onto his back with Starnes landing in the full mount. After a series of punches from Starnes, MacDonald gave his back which lead to Starnes locking in a rear-naked choke. Much to MacDonald’s credit, he was able to free himself from the precarious position only to have Starnes repeatedly land punch after punch as Macdonald’s head began to ricochet off the canvas until referee Kevin Dornan wisely called a halt to the bout late in the first round.

Heo taps Perry with an armbar.

In other action, Tim Thurston was able to outlast Myles Merola winning via punches in the third round. With the victory, Thurston took home the NFC light middleweight championship. Kyle Keeney was also able to avenge a previous loss by submitting Paul Daniel with a rear-naked choke, and Garrett Davis was able to knock off Matt Lininger for the second time with an arm-triangle choke.

Keeney hitting Daniel.

Look for a full report in the next issue of Full Contact Fighter.

Rojas hammering Davis.

Results

Costa Rojas def. Keith Davis by TKO ref stoppage from punches at 1:58 of R1
Marcus "Lelo" Aurelio def. Kevin Leclair by KO at 2:07 of R2
Yoon Heo def. Martin Perry by armbar at 1:31 of R3
George Kassimatis def. Mallick Quaraan by rear-naked choke at 1:24 of R1
Cesar Narita def. Wes Welch by heel hook at 1:21 of R1
Garrett Davis def. Matt Lininger by arm triangle choke at 4:21 of R1
Kyle Keeney def. Paul Daniel by rear-naked choke at 4:32 of R1
Tim Thurson def. Myles Merola by submission from punches at 0:50 of R3
Kalib Starnes def. Jason MacDonald by TKO ref stoppage from punches at 4:37 of R1