By Michael J.A. Nauta Jr.

Hundreds of mixed-martial arts fans made their way to the Guam Greyhound Park last night as another installment of Preba Hao filled the night with excitement and intense action.  With a little more than a dozen fights scheduled on the card, everyone in attendance witness the island’s up and coming amateur fighters.  In the main event of the night, Jose Ramirez and Ryan Toves battled one another in a match that would earn them a spot in the upcoming PXC event scheduled for February.

With a professional contract up for grabs, both fighters laid everything out inside the cage.  After three rounds of action, neither fighter was able to pick-up a victory without having to turn to the scorecards.  When the announcement was made, Ramirez’s hand was raised after garnering a victory via unanimous decision.

“It’s a great feeling to have won this fight especially against a very respectable opponent like Ryan,” said Ramirez.  “This was my biggest fight so far because it was for a spot in PXC.  I hope to take this win and continue achieving goals I’ve set for myself.”

In the opening round, both warriors came storming out trying to gain the upper edge, but to no avail.  Each continued to counter one another’s offensive strikes.  With the round halfway through, the fight went to the mat and both fighters had their share of chances to take control.  However, the round came to an end with things looking all-squared.

Jose Ramirez earned a chance to fight in the upcoming PXC in February with his win over Ryan Toves. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Despite some good strikes by Toves early in the second-round, Ramirez maintained composure and worked his game plan to a “T”.  Dealing effective body shots to Toves, Ramirez turned things up and put the crowd into a frenzy.  It wasn’t until the final minute of the round when Toves was able to gain some points after connecting with jabs.

With things coming down to the final three minutes of the match, Ramirez and Toves gave everything left in the gas tank hoping to deal the finishing move.  However, the final bell would ring and the decision was left in the judge’s hands.

“Ryan is like a brother to me and having to go against him in a fight like this was hard at first to accept,” said Ramirez.  “We both knew that it was all business and in the end we still walk out of the cage with the utmost respect for one another.”

Torre, Toves treat crowd to an exciting match

Mitchell Torre and A.J. Toves went toe-to-toe with one another in a match that can be deemed one of the most exciting ones of the night.  Entering the cage, things were clearly visible that both fighters were ready to “get it on”.  After battling through three-rounds of hard-hitting punches, high flying kicks and knees, the fight went to the judges for a winner to be determined.  At the announcement, Torre celebrated the win via unanimous decision.

“My opponent has a very hard chin,” said Torre.  “Even when I struck him good several time with punches he was able to absorb the hit.  He has my respect and he is a game fighter.”

Dustin Smith took down Ronnie Rabon with a first round TKO. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Pejo Camacho defeats Jerry Mendiola via referee stoppage

At the sound of the bell, nearly everyone inside the venue was surprised by the very unorthodox fighting style of Camacho.  With a focused glare directly on his opponent, Camacho was almost at a standstill why Mendiola look for a way to respond.  However, with a boxing background in his pocket, Camacho literally toyed with his opponent and punished him with strong hard shots to the face and chin.  It wasn’t too long before the match was called via referee stoppage giving Camacho his first victory.

“This match was more of a mental challenge for me and with the way I started things off it was also about conserving energy that eventually would be put to use in the fight,” said Camacho.  “I controlled my emotions and my actions in the fight and that gave me the edge,”

OTHER FIGHT RESULTS:

• Luis San Nicolas defeated Jaython Duenas via unanimous decision
• Joshua Cruz defeated Cody Tenorio via unanimous decision
• Ernie Santos defeated Dan Fejeran via TKO
• Rocky Quichocho defeated Art Peredo via referee stoppage
• Frank Quidachay defeated Jude Quichocho (Quichocho unable to continue after first round)
• Dustin Smith defeated Ronnie Rabon via TKO
• Jayton Gumabon defeated Roscoe Taijeron via rear-naked choke
• Eric Celis defeated Raymond Salas via verbal submission
• Adrian Davis defeated Tanner Santos via tap-out (Ground and pound)
• Robin Eclavea defeated Jemaine Duenas via arm bar submission
• Adam Hill defeated Jay Taijeron via TKO (Taijeron dislocated shoulder)
• Jess Naputi defeated Matthew Taimanglo via verbal submission
• Jarome Cruz vs. Roke Santos (Fight called, Santos no-show)

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Dustin Smith took down Ronnie Rabon with a first round TKO. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Ernie Santos defeated Dan Fejeran via TKO. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Dustin Smith took down Ronnie Rabon with a first round TKO. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Jayton Gumabon defeated Roscoe Taijeron via rear-naked choke. (photo by Andre Gadia)