BATTLE OF BROOKLYN SCORES BIG WITH "CLASH OF THE CLANS" TEAM CHALLENGE

USKBA ACTION SPORTS Promoter Mark Negron (Black Mark Fight Productions) held the next installment of the "BATTLE OF BROOKLYN" series entitled "CLASH OF THE CLANS" on May 6, 2006 at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York.

The following review and results were submitted by Stephen Koepfer...

A sold out crowd packed the house at world famous Gleason’s Gym to see the fourth installment of Mark Negron’s Battle of Brooklyn. This special edition of the now historic mixed art show highlighted the first Battle of Brooklyn Team Challenge. Dubbed the Clash of the Clans, this show pitted San Da against Muay Thai using San Da rules and Sambo against Brazilian Jui Jitsu under Freestyle Sambo rules. Four team captains headed up the fighters that would represent their styles. Vladislav Koulikov of New York’s Ultimate Sambo put together a tight team of sambo players representing four different clubs: Sarkis Matossian or Empire Academy, Givi Shubitidze of Brooklyn Wrestling Club, Patrick Hinton of James Simrell MMA, Ryan Ahearn of Ultimate Sambo, and Benny Baez of Ultimate Sambo. Unfortunately, Mr. Baez failed to appear for the fight, giving the BJJ team their first win before the night even began. Many noted sambo coaches were in attendance including Chris Herzog, James Simrell, Gene Fabrikant, and Viktor Tatarkin. BJJ team captain and the Bronx’s own Jungle Gym head coach Justin Garcia went out of his way to put together the best local BJJ team he could. He held a team trial in which local fighters battled it out for a spot on the team! Coming out on top were: James Baxter or Rockland BJJ, Nolan Dutcher of Lionkill BJJ, Mikell Bursky of Rockland BJJ, Chino De La Pena of Rockland BJJ, and Mike Wacker of Hudson Valley BJJ. Mikell commented after the show that he had won three matches at the trials to get a spot on the team!

US San Da/San Shou legend Marvin Perry, along with coaches Josh Bartholomew and Eric Grossman, made the trip from Boston to bring their team to the clash! Representing the Chinese Kickboxing Club were Stephen Holness, Will Preap, and Sonia Mejia. Fighting out of Boston San Da was Tara Hightower Gully.

Rounding out the teams was a tough as nails Muay Thai team put together by Rigel Balsamico of Cool Hearts Muay Thai in Philadelphia. The team included Andrius Ratkevicius, Lauren Feldman, and Boi Keopondeth of Cool Hearts Muay Thai and Florina Pectu of Ardon’s Sweet Science.

The main event of the evening was a hard fought battle between Steve Vitti or Rhino Fight Team and Laurence Kenny of Cool Hearts Muay Thai.

During this show, The Battle of Brooklyn was proud to give Michael DePasquale Sr. a lifetime achievement award in the form a $500 donation to the International Brain Research Foundation. Michael DePasquale Sr is living with Parkinson’s disease and chose this foundation as the recipient of our donation for their cutting edge research in the areas of Brain Illnesses. Present to accept the award and check were Michael DePasquale Jr. as well as Dr. Phil Defina and Lorraine Canco of the IBRF.


Final Results:
Bout 1: MT vs. SD – Light Heavyweight Division
Andrius Ratkevicius (Cool Hearts MT) defeats Stephen Holness (Chinese KB Club) at 2 minutes 42 seconds of round 1 by TKO

Bout 2: Sambo Vs. BJJ – 96+KG Division
Sarkis Matossian (Empire Academy) defeats James Baxter (Rockland BJJ) via cross choke from side control at 4 minutes, 32 seconds.

Bout 3: MT vs SD – Women’s Lightweight Division
Tara Hightower Gully (Boston San Da) defeats Lauren Feldman (Cool Hearts MT) via split decision.

Bout 4: Sambo vs BJJ – 96KG Division
Nolan Dutcher (Lionkill BJJ) defeats Givi Shubitidze (Brooklyn Wrestling Club) via technical advantage at 10 minutes. 6-3 score

Bout 5: MT vs SD – Super Welterweight Division
Will Preap (Chinese KB Club) defeats Boi Keopondeth via KO at 50 seconds of round 3.

Bout 6: Sambo vs BJJ – 84KG Division
Mikell Bursky (Rockland BJJ) defeats Patrick Hinton (James Simrell MMA) via technical advantage at 10 minutes. 8-5 score.

Bout 7: MT vs SD – Women’s Featherweight Division
Sonia Mejia (Chinese KB Club) defeats Floria Pectu (Ardon Sweet Science) via TKO at 23 seconds of round 3.

Bout 8: Sambo vs BJJ – 74KG Division
Chino De La Pena (Rockland BJJ) defeats Ryan Ahearn (Ultimate Sambo) via technical advantage at 10 Minutes. 8-3 score.

Bout 9: Sambo vs BJJ – 66KG Division
Mike Wacker (Hudson Valley BJJ) defeats Benny Baez (Ultimate Sambo) via DQ due to no show

Main Event: (Not part of the team challenge) – Super Lightweight Division
Laurence Kenny (Cool Hearts MT) defeats Steve Vitti (Rhino) via Unanimous Decision.


For additional information, visit www.battleofbrooklyn.com.