PREVIOUS EVENTS 2002

Results - Updated February 24th, 2003

C-MAX 8 MAN ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT - (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) February 22nd, 2003
Promoter Mike Miles under the banner of Mike Miles Productions and the XFC (X-treme Fighting Championship) promoted Canada's first 8 man tournament, thus making Canadian history with this event. The event also featured 4 outstanding Superfights, one of which was also Canadian history in the making. Though the event was not filmed for TSN or Canadian Pay-Per-View, video and DVD's will be made available in the next month.
The event was attended by 2500 screaming, fight intelligent, enthusiastic fans. With all the excitement, the athletes who participated were not to waiver in their enthusiasm while participating in action packed, rock 'em and sock'me, incredible bouts.
The event was sanctioned by the WKA (World Kickboxing Association), and the WMC (World MuayThai Council). "I was very lucky with the promotion of this event", said Mike Miles. "I was surrounded by very professional people for this whole undertaking. We had world class trainers like K-1 athlete Guiseppe Denatale, Shawn Tompkins, Jean-Marie Mercet, Jorge Vasquez, Raul Romero, Dominique' Crépel, Brad Wall, Steve Bergeron, Vince Gentile and Trevor Hardy in attendance. Also, I can not forget the officials. I owe them for everything they did to make this event so successful. Finally, the athletes were all awesome, very professional, and great to deal with. I thank them all!"

Starting off with the Superfights.

Superfight # 1
Superfight# 1 was to feature Canada's Trevor Hardy (PFA) battling against the USA's Rufino Soltero (USA) for the vacant WKA North American Heavyweight Muay Thai Title. Unfortunately this bout did not take place. The day before the event, the American athlete ran into some problems with immigration and he could not make the event. Too bad as this would have been a great fight for the event. Hopefully these two athletes can meet in the near future...

Superfight # 2
Superfight # 2 featured Calgary's Nick Ring stepping back into his second home, the ring (sorry for the pun), against Alex Gasson (Team Tompkins) in a MMA fight. Ring who had previously made a name for himself as a Muay Thai athlete has now moved into the world of MMA. This was his first fight in front of the Calgary audience in two years (how time flies!). Mr. Gasson, Canadian Pankration Champion, had taken the bout on very short notice but was to prove what a versatile and talented athlete he was. This bout had both men rumbling but with Ring getting the better of the two in the striking department as well as in the grappling department. Gasson did not want to exchange blows with Ring so Gasson tried to stay close and grapple. Ring had his work cut out for him in this department. When the bout came to an end, this CMMAC sanctioned event saw Ring win by decision.

Superfight # 3
Superfight # 3 saw Calgary's Jennifer Cutbill (Mike Miles Muay Thai) step into the ring against France's Kostiana Hanin. This was a full Muay Thai rules bout and Cutbill took advantage of her chance to use all her weapons and shine. In the first round Hanin fared very well against the Canadian. As the bout progressed Cutbill or "Wildcat" as she is known picked up her pace pressuring the French girl with a vicious tenacity. As Cutbill came close she easily changed from punches to kicks, elbows to the clinch and then to the knees. By round four, the Canadian girl had picked it up to such a brutal pace that Hanin just could not overcome it. In round five, a brutal right hand to the body put the French girl down to the canvas for the count. After having leg problems and missing a chance to fight on national television in November, Cutbill made a triumphant return to the ring with a fifth round TKO.

Superfight # 4
Superfight # 4 featured the return to the ring of one of Canada's top female athletes Erin "Nitro" Linley (Mike Miles Muay Thai). She stepped into the ring against France's Tevi Say. Having had a tough year in 2002 with a broken toe and then a broken arm, Linley's return to the ring in front of the Calgary audience in almost a year was everything the audience hoped it would be. This full Muay Thai rules bout was very hard work for the Canadian but she was up to the task. Early the going both athletes scored quite well on the outside. Linley who is very adept at working in the clinch, had problems with Say who seemed very adept at the clinch as well. By round four, Linley changed her battle plan and picked her shots on the outside in combinations that seemed to cause Say problems. By round five, Linley was very workmanlike with hard pressure and precise combinations that clinched the victory for the Canadian girl. Linley was to win the bout by unanimous decision and in typical victory form, Linley celebrated with a beautiful aerial.

Superfight # 5
Superfight # 5 was like the 8 man tournament, Canadian history in the making as well. Two former top ranked Thai athletes from Radgdamnern Stadium and Lumphini Stadium in Thailand fighting full Muay Thai without elbow pads. This bout was incredible. Not because of the outcome, but because of the virtuosity both athletes displayed in this short but awe inspiring bout. Khun Suk "Warrior" Sor Tanikul (Mark Brackenbury) squared off in the squared circle against Tanongsak "Samurai Knee" Sor Prantale (Mike Miles Muay Thai). From the opening Ram Muay ceremony, the venue was filled with electricity and anticipation. When the bell sounded for round one, both athletes probed at each other with intent on feeling out each others strengths and weaknesses. Many felt the first round would be very slow (as in typical Thai fashion). However, this was not to be. The two athletes exchanged big blows trying fell the other as quickly as possible. Sor Tanikul relied on strong punches and kicks while Sor Prantale relied on strong knees and elbows. The audience's jaws dropped to the floor as the two athletes exchanged with lightning speed and versatility. Towards the end of the round, Sor Tanikul was to be dropped several times for 8 counts but he managed to survive the bell. In the second round the intensity of Sor Prantale doubled and it was a vicious attack of elbows and knees followed by a heavy punch which found its mark and dropped Sor Tanikul, to the canvas. Sor Tanikul could not continue. All that can be said is "What a fight!" Both athletes were awe-inspiring and incredible. Wow!!!!!!

The 8 man tournament:

In the month leading up to the event, several prospective athletes were to drop from the event allowing new athletes to enter. The final eight man roster was to feature - Trevor "T.N.T' Smandych (Calgary, Canada), "Smokin" Joe Zychowka (Winnipeg, Canada), Daniel "Killer" Christian (Vancouver, Canada), Dan "Tanis" Rawlings (USA), Rogelio "ROKO" Romero Arevalo (Mexico), Oscar "Negro" Contreras (Mexico), Carlos "Bulldog" Gutierrez (Mexico), and Sokhim "Machine" Or (Canada). Originally Or was slated as the first alternate, because his spot was taken by another "Machine", Mark Hominick (London, Canada). Five days before the event, Hominick was passing out while training. In a visit to the doctor it was discovered he had Mono. As such he was out of the tournament and the alternate Or was in.

First round eliminations:

Rawlings vs. Or: This bout started off quite slow with Or doing a good job of defending but really having a hard time pulling the trigger. Rawlings danced around and through fast combinations that only portions of would find their mark. However, being busier and being the aggressor was to weigh in Rawlings favor. In round two Or was to stun Rawlings a few times but would not follow it up. In round three Rawlings returned the favor and stunned Or but to the alternate's credit he made it through the bout. Rawlings moved on to the next tier.

Zychowka vs. Contreras: This bout turned out to be a big disappointment. Somehow the paperwork requirements for the Commission from the athlete were misplaced and as a result Contreras was not allowed to compete in the event almost at the last moment. Zychowka was to move to the next tier happy and fresh while Contreras was to be extremely disappointed by the decision.

Christian vs. Arevalo: Christian had been ill in the week leading up to the event but proved to be every bit professional still taking the bout. "Daniel and Mark saved my bacon", said promoter Mike Miles. In this bout Christian seemed to lay back and wait a little too long. He used some very smart tactics but it was Arevalo who used pressure and his brain to score with some very strong blows. The bout was close but the nod went to the Mexican Arevalo.

Smandych vs. Gutierrez: This was a war to say the least! As soon as the opening bell sounded, Gutierrez was all over Smandych. He landed a brutal jumping knee that caught Smandych on the hip. The blow was to cripple that leg for the remainder of the event. Smandych looked calm and measured while Gutierrez banged away to try and stop the Canadian. The first round had Smandych answer strongly and cleanly but Gutierrez was to take it on being tenacious. Round two saw Smandych landing more of his blows and brutally. At the end of the second round a strong knee from in the clinch landed on Gutierrez's face followed by the bell. Gutierrez was not to answer the bell for the third round and the wounded Smandych advanced on to the semi final round.

Semi-finals:

Rawlings stepped into the ring against Zychowka. The American had been physically taxed against Or and now he was facing the fresh Zychowka. As the bout waged on, Zychowka was to look taxed at times as well. Round one was very close and could have went either way. In round two, the nod seemed to go to Rawlings. In round three the nod would have went to Zychowka. Rawlings though looking very tired gave Zychowka everything he could handle in this bout. The nod went to Zychowka.

Smandych stepped into the ring with a crippled left leg against Arevalo. Arevalo had trouble with the strength of Smandych who dutifully protected his left leg by catching incoming kicks and dumping the Mexican onto the canvas. Smandych was measured and he landed brutal low kicks, that were starting to show their wear and tear on the Mexican athlete. In the second round a heavy cut kick was to drop the Mexican to the canvas for the final time. Smandych had won the bout by second round TKO and he advanced to the final round.

Finals:

Canadians Trevor "T.N.T" Smandych and "Smokin" Joe Zychowka squared off with each other for the prize money and the title belt. What a fight! Zychowka is tough... tough... T-O-U-G-H! He showed pure grit and determination against the very strong Smandych. While waiting for the final bout, Smandych had his leg worked on and it was back in working condition for this bout. Zychowka only landed a few glancing blows on the wounded wheel of Smandych. Zychowka would get rocked but he would come right back. Towards the end of the first round, Smandych landed a brutal punch combination that hurt his foe but Zychowka was to be saved by the bell. In round two it was Smandych still playing the role of the pursuer while Zychowka fought back but mostly while retreating. Smandych was in the lead heading into the final round. As the third round opened Zychowka exploded! He was possessed almost seeming to know the only way to win would have been by knockout. He shook Smandych once with a right hand. The blitz was to subside and Smandych came back blocking his foes attacks and landing strong punches and kicks which would snap the head or knock Zychowka backwards. Smandych was full steam ahead and was to finish the bout by taking the third round.

The judges verdict was announced with Trevor "T.N.T" Smandych winning $7500.00 and the bragging rights to being the 2003 C-MAX Tournament Champion. Joe Zychowka walked away with a cool $2500 for his efforts.

The event was one of the best in recent history in Calgary. 2003 also sees a possible 4 woman tournament and 2004 sees the C-MAX possibly being for $20,000 in prize money. What an event! Absolutely, positively, do NOT miss the next one! Stay tuned...