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Monday, Oct 13, 2003

Clark Captures Title In ‘nightmare’ Extreme Challenge

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From the event’s promoter:


Clark captures title in ‘Nightmare’ Extreme Challenge

      LAKEMOOR, Ill. — It took four years, but LaVerne Clark finally won an Extreme Challenge tournament… and the welterweight title that goes with it.
      "I’ve waited a long time for this belt," said a smiling Clark. "I had my chance before and didn’t get the job done. This time, I wanted to make sure I did whatever I needed to do to win it all."
      Clark scored action-packed decision victories over Mac Danzig in the first round and Rafal Piszczak in the final of a 4-man tourney at Extreme Challenge 54. Clark controlled the standup in both bouts and threw in a few body-slams for good measure. Both opponents were close to submissions, but Clark used his strength and wrestling ability to escape. Piszczak advanced to the final by scoring what many would call an upset by tapping Jay Buck with a heel hook only seconds before the end of the first round. Buck had dominated the early minutes.
      The event turned out to be a promoter’s nightmare when it had to be moved from St. Charles to Lakemoor and from Saturday to Sunday due to building code problems. Fans who couldn’t make the switch and still need refunds should contact Jeff Curran at 815 403-6696.
      The last time Clark competed in an Extreme Challenge tournament was in November of 1999 when he lost to Matt Hughes in the finals of a star-studded 8-man tourney that also featured Dave Menne, Joe Doerksen, Chris Lytle and Dave Strasser.
      "Wow… what a mess this turned out to be," said EC promoter Monte Cox. "I’d really like to thank the fighters and fans who hung in there for this event after all the BS that happened on Saturday. We’re just fortunate that the whole show didn’t get cancelled."
      St. Charles firefighters showed up on the day of the show and said the SportsPlex was only zoned for 200 spectators. The last EC event at the smae place drew 1,700.
      "It was obvious they didn’t want us to have the show," Cox said. "The fact that all this happened on the day of the show was BS. They basically set us up and waited until there was little we could do about it. They could have done the same thing a month earlier and saved a lot of people some headaches."
      In other key battles:

  • Joey Gilbert returned to action after more than a 2-year layoff to beat Josh Rave of Sioux Falls, S.D. by decision in an entertaining fight. Both fighters had solid wrestling backgrounds, but Gilbert’s size and takedowns proved to be the difference.
  • Bart Palaszewski had to come from behind to defeat a talented Jay Estrada with punches from the mount in the third round. Estrada controlled the first round and was landing punches and fending off sub attempts from the top most of the fight.
  • Mustafa Hussaini won a close unanimous decision over Brian Borzell (aka Space Monkey) in a jiu-jitsu fan’s dream matchup. Both fighters had numerous sub attempts, reversals and transitions.
  • Jason Guida was getting the best of Steve Dau through 2 rounds until Dau hit an armbar… in an effort to escape, Guida landed five heel strikes to the head of Dau. The bout was halted and Guida was accessed a 1-point foul penalty. The doctor said Dau could not continue and the fight was ruled a no-contest.
  • In one of the most entertaining fights, amateurs Brian Bresler and David Hayes hooked up in a standing war. Bresler was able to wobble Hayes early with a kick to the head and finished him with the same maneuver at 1:12 of the third round. This was a striking fan’s treat.

      The next Extreme Challenge is scheduled back in Lakemoor on Dec. 5.

Complete results:

  • Brian Bresler def. Davis Hayes, 1:12 3rd (7:12), TKO from kick.
  • Sam Hoger def. Adam Maciejewski, 1:29 1st, triangle.
  • Rory Markham def. John Bulger, :59 1st, KO
  • Jason Guida and Steve Dau, 2:11 3rd (8:11), no-contest… Dau cannot continue after illegal heel strikes to the head on the ground.
  • Joey Gilber def. Josh Rave, (9:00), unanimous decision.

EC Tournament
  – LaVerne Clark def. Mac Danzig, (9:00) unanimous decision.
  – Rafal Piszczek def. Jay Buck, 2:33 1st, heel hook.
  – Championship: Clark def. Piszczek, (15:00), unanimous decision.

  • Terry Martin def. Greg Franklin, 2:27 1st, keylock.
  • Mustafa Hussaini def. Brian Borzell, (9:00), unanimous decision.
  • Kerry Schall def. Demian Decorah, (9:00), split decision.
  • Bart Palaszewski def. Jay Estrada, 3:23 3rd (13:23), Ref stoppage… strikes from mount.

posted by Full Contact Fighter @ 8:00 pm
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