Madigan and Freeman Impressive in KO Wins
2006 NAAFS Champions Crowned
Photos by Scott Joffe


Jason "Freebird" Freeman (back) raises arm after KO win

Cleveland, OH - 12/6/06: With the holiday season around the corner what better way to kick off December then with another unforgettable night of MMA. The historic Grays Armory was once again the host venue as another capacity crowd was on hand to witness what would be one of the most competitive Gladiators Fighting cards of the year. Caged Vengeance 3 “Seasons Beatings” may have been the most appropriately named fight show of 2006.

Gladiators Fighting super heavyweight champion and hometown hero Dan “The Bull” Bobish won his fifth straight fight and improved to 16-9 with a first round submission victory over Des Moines, Iowa’s Chris Clark. This was a grudge match of sorts as the two super heavyweights met earlier this year with a similar but somewhat bloodier outcome. However this time Bobish left no room for questions as the Cleveland native pounded his way into position for the finishing submission, a kimura in the opening round.

Kickboxing champion Ryan “The Lion” Madigan (3-0) looked to stay unbeaten in MMA competition as he would clash with rapidly rising welterweight Ricardo Martinez (6-3) of Cincinnati, Ohio. Martinez, who was coming off his biggest career win when he KO’d the previously undefeated Dorian Price (7-1) earlier this year, quickly found out why many fans feel Madigan could be the next big thing out of Ohio at 170 lbs. It didn’t take long for Madigan to establish his presence as he pushed the pace in the opening moments throwing a series of kicks both high and low which seemed to keep Martinez off balance and out of rhythm. Martinez momentarily was able to close the distance and took the fight to the ground but a slick reversal from Madigan would get the fight standing again where Madigan could do more damage. Madigan would find his spot nearly halfway through the first round and from a thai clinch landed a right knee strike which would find its target and finish Martinez by devastating fashion.

Madigan will now set his sights on the World Combat League for its 2007 season but plans on returning to the cage as soon as possible.

Jason “Freebird” Freeman (5-1) wasted little time in dispatching MMA veteran Todd Seyler (15-12) by first round KO. Freeman showed off a well rounded arsenal on Saturday which left fans buzzing after one of the night’s most entertaining finishes. Freeman opened the fight with a right leg high kick and a spinning back fist which nearly connected and sent an early message to Seyler who knew at that point he was in for a battle. After a failed take down attempt by Seyler it was a final barrage of strikes from Freeman that sealed the deal for the Freebird who has his sites set on the current Gladiators Fighting LHW champ, Rob Wince.

Michigan’s Nate Carey improved to 9-1 as a pro with an emphatic first round TKO win over Hammer House product Chris Hickock (2-3). Carey was originally scheduled to fight for the Gladiators HW title against current champion Josh Hendricks until an injury forced Hendricks to withdraw and allowed Hickock to step in for his opportunity at a possible title shot down the road. Carey would have none of it as he quickly took the bigger man down and from the mount unleashed a series of hammer fists and elbows that forced Hickok to tap at just over a minute into the bout. Carey will likely get his crack at Hendricks and the Gladiators Fighting HW title in early 2007.

Team Griffonrawl’s Mike “The Bull” Russo evened his professional record at 9-9 with an impressive win over cross town rival Torrance “The Tyrant” Taylor (3-3) in a welterweight showdown. Russo wasted no time in getting Taylor on his back and began to work from the guard. Taylor would eventually sweep and find himself on top but not necessarily in control. From his back Russo maneuvered his way to a finishing armbar forcing Taylor to tap in the first round.

The North American Amateur Fight Series in conjunction with Gladiators Fighting crowned its first ever national champions on Saturday night in what was the culmination of a years worth of work for many of the up and coming MMA stars of tomorrow.

In a series of highly anticipated championship match-ups, the lightweights were first on the docket as Mike Nesto (6-1) looked for revenge over NAAFS rival John “The Mongoose” Myers (5-3). Nesto suffered his first and only career loss to Myers back in October and won two fights in a thirty day span to earn his shot at a rematch and the opportunity to fight for a title. The fight quickly went to the ground after a Nesto takedown would lead to top position for the former BJJ national champion. Unlike their first match-up, this time out Nesto would capitalize on an early Myers mistake and sink in the finishing armbar just minutes into the fight and made history as the first ever amateur to hold an NAAFS title.

Next up were the welterweights as unbeaten and top ranked “Smokin” Joe Heiland (7-0) looked to cap off a successful year with a win over the always tough AJ Pulling (5-3). In primarily a stand up war, Pulling was unable to use his reach to his advantage as Heiland counter-punched his way to win and the 2006 NAAFS welterweight crown by unanimous decision. Pulling would never get close enough to seriously hurt the Shelby, Ohio native nor would he be able to take the fight to the ground where many felt he would have the edge. Instead it was another impressive win for Heiland who closed out the year with a 7-0 record and as king of the 2006 NAAFS welterweight division.

The Iron Dragon, Taiwon Howard (4-1) won his fourth straight fight as he captured the NAAFS MW title with an emphatic win over New York’s Garret Matheron (1-1). After an early exchange the fight quickly went to the mat where neither fighter would be able to gain control or finish. Howard, a former amateur kickboxing champion, waited for his opportunity to get the fight standing where he would look to make his move. The opportunity came nearly halfway through the round when Howard was able to land a right hand that stunned Matheron and followed it with a combination which would end the night for the New Yorker.

Canton, Ohio’s Chuck Ellison out lasted backyard rival Nick Duell in a battle of the top two ranked light heavyweights. In another typical NAAFS slugfest, Ellison executed a near perfect game plan while overcoming Duell’s early flurry and escaping early trouble with Duell in his guard. The fight would be restarted with both fighters on their feet and Ellison would now gain the advantage and mount Duell in the closing seconds of the first round. With Duell’s left eye swollen shut, he surprisingly answered the bell for round two and both fighters again came out firing punches. After a surprising turn of events, it was Duell who shot in for a take down which seemingly worked to Ellison’s advantage. This time Ellison would be able to sink in the finishing choke and force Duell to tap at just under a minute into the second round. Congratulations to both fighters on a great effort and to Chuck Ellison, the 2006 NAAFS Light Heavyweight champion.

Fan favorite and highly touted NAAFS heavyweight John “The Showstopper” Hedges was named 2006 NAAFS Heavyweight Champion as his scheduled opponent Terry Davinney was unable to fight due to the flu. A disappointed but appreciative Hedges thanked his fans for supporting him throughout the year and assured fans that he would show them why he is the man to beat in this division come 2007.

Hedges with World Champion Duke Roufus

In preliminary action, Ricky “The Thriller” Miller (2-0) lived up to his nickname with a thrilling come from behind win that set the tone for the rest of the night. Miller would end up knocking out NAAFS newcomer Charles Blatt (0-1) but it would not be easy. The unorthodox Blatt was able to land shots at will early on and stunned Miller several times in the opening minute. However a bloodied up and now motivated Miller would shrug off the early Blatt assault and mount an attack of his own landing a right hand down the middle that dropped Blatt not once, but twice before the fight was eventually stopped in just under the three minute mark of the opening round.

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada’s Chris Roy won his MMA debut over local favorite Dave Osborne in a two round battle. Osborne won round one on our card while controlling the fight and scoring points from Roy’s guard. The second round was all Roy as he took top position and eventually moved in for the finish via strikes midway though round two.

“Slippery” Nick Golembieski (2-1), of Silver Creek, NY reminded fans why he should not be forgotten when it comes to next years 205 pound division. After an even exchange early in the fight, Golembieski took care of a game Izzy Martini with a finishing armbar late in round one. Expect both fighters to have a breakout year in 2007.

The nights opening bout featured Cleveland’s Silas Maynard (1-0) against Pittsburgh’s Scott Alfer (0-1) in a middleweight NAAFS clash. In a back and forth fight, Maynard won a unanimous decision and earned his first career win in a very entertaining opener.

Caged Vengeance 3 “Seasons Beatings” was proudly sponsored by Tazmanian Freight Systems, BetonFighting.com, Champions Bar & Grille, Bloody Buddy Fight Gear, 2XL Sports Gear, Rascal House Pizza, SportstalkCleveland.com, MMAvideo.com, and the on line voice of the fight fan, PKW Live! Seasons Beatings will be televised regionally on Sports Time Ohio in conjunction with Fightfest Ohio. Check with your local cable provider for a replay schedule. Check back to this site soon for the release of the official Seasons Beatings DVD.....

Quick Results:

Gladiators Fighting Professional Featured Bouts

SHW Main Event – Dan “The Bull” Bobish 16-9 (Cleveland, OH) over Chris Clark 9-13 (Des Moines, Iowa) - Keylock rd1

265 lbs – Nate Carey 9-1 (Grand Rapids, MI) over Chris Hickok 2-3 (Columbus, OH) - TKO rd1

205 lbs - Jason “Freebird” Freeman 5-1 (Dover, OH) over Todd Seyler 15-11 (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) - KO rd1

170 lbs – Ryan “The Lion” Madigan 3-0 (Orville, OH) over Ricardo Martinez 6-4 (Columbus, OH) - KO rd1

170 lbs - Mike “The Bull” Russo 9-9 (Cleveland, OH) over Torrance “The Tyrant” Taylor 3-3 (Cleveland, OH) - armbar rd1

NAAFS Amatuer Title Fights

205 lbs - Chuck Ellison 3-1 (Canton, OH) over Nicholas Duell 2-2 (Canton, OH) - Tapout rd2

185 lbs – Taiwon “The Iron Dragon” Howard 4-1 (Cleveland, OH) over Garrett Matheron 1-1 (Jamestown, NY) - KO rd1

170 lbs – “Smokin” Joe Heiland 7-0 (Shelby, OH) over AJ Pulling 5-3 (Mentor, OH) - Unanimous Decision

155 lbs – Mike Nesto 6-1 (Uniontown, PA) over John “The Mongoose” Myers 5-3 (Dover, OH) - Armbar rd1

NAAFS/Gladiators Fighting Preliminary Bouts

185 lbs – Ricky “The Thriller” Miller 2-0 (Canton, OH) over Charles Blatt 0-1 (Pittsburgh, PA) - KO rd1

185 lbs - Chris Roy 1-0 (Hamilton, Ontario, CA) over Dave Osborne 0-2 (Cleveland, OH) - Tapout (strikes) rd 2

205 lbs – Nick Golembieski 2-1 (Silver Creek, NY) over Izzy Martini 0-1 (Uniontown, PA) - armbar rd1

185 lbs - Silas Maynard 1-0 (Cleveland, OH) over Scott Alfer 0-1 (Pittsburgh, PA) - Unanimous Decision

CV3 Bonus Photos

Jason Freeman with PKW/2XL Sports Ring Girl Dana and Randy Lindsey

Ryan Madigan poses with a happy fan

The Showstopper with Dana and Nicole

The Freebird and The Project