SELECTED PREVIOUS EVENTS 2001

Results - November 26th, 2001


"ROADHOUSE RUMBLE IV" - (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada) November 24th, 2001
On Saturday November 24th, 2001, live at the Roadhouse in Lethbridge, Mein's Martial Arts and Progressive Fighting Academy put on The Roadhouse Rumble IV. Another sell out crowd was on hand for a night of WKA Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts.

In the first Kickboxing fight of the night, Jordan Mein (Mein Mixed Martial Arts) took on Robert Curtis (Dynamic Martial Arts). These two young competitors were all business. The first round saw heated exchanges between Mein and Curtis with both athletes landing solid leg kicks and strikes. Mein seemed to be the aggressor for much of this opening round. The second round saw Curtis come out with a barrage of punches and kicks to open the round. Mein was backing up for the most part but still managed to counterpunch effectivly. Mein's coach (and father), was imploring his fighter to give the taller opponent more angles and less room to throw punches but Curtis seemed to be able to get in a lot of different strikes. Mein came on strong at the end of the round with some effective kicks. The third round was another close fought battle with some nice side kicks being thrown by Curtis. Mein was dilligent at making his opponent miss and then countering while Curtis was off balance. The fight was a very close and difficult to judge affair. Curtis was given the split decision.

This fight got the crowd pumped. Considering both fighters are still in public school, the crowd was impressed with the skill levels which were displayed. Kudo's go out for these two young gentlemen. This is Canada's next line of fighters for the future. Watch for both of these gentlemen on the TSN fights in 2007.

The second Kickboxing fight of the evening was between Davor Kaluza (Progressive Fighting Academy) and Allistor Middleton (Mike Miles MuayThai). Both fighters looked to be in good shape with this being the first fight for the Mike Miles athlete. The first round opened up with Kaluza showing some heat right out of the gate. Middleton, apprehensive but calm, withstood an early onslaught blocking most of the punches and kicks by the Lethbridge athlete. Middleton then took charge of the fight with a series of low kicks and some impressive hand speed and combination work. Middleton used all of his weapons and Kaluza was simply overpowered by his opponent's hand to foot work. Kaluza was given one standing eight count after a series of body shots dropped him. Middleton won the fight with a first round KO.

The third Kickboxing fight was between Matt Badura (Progressive Martial Arts) and Brian Staisowich (Arashi-Do Karate). This fight looked one sided at the opening round. In the first round Badura threw hand to foot to hand combinations that seemed to shell shock the Edmonton athlete. Staisowich did throw some kicks but most were blocked and Badura countered effectivly. Badura's leg kicks were strong and he connected effectivly with both feet. The second round started off just like the first. The Edmonton corner was imploring their fighter to pressure Badura rather than just shell. The Edmonton fighter made this round a lot closer but was still out punched and kicked by Badura. The third round seemed to wake Staisowich from his trance. His hands and feet seemed to come alive. He connected with good body shots and front kicks while Badura seemed to be totally out of gas. Knowing he needed a knockout to win, Staisowich came on like gangbusters and almost dropped Badura with a series of head and body blows. Badura squeeked through the round while the Edmonton fighter showed great fighting spirit with an excellent third round. Unfortunately it was too little - too late for the Edmonton athlete, and Badura was given the match on a split decision.

A changing of the sexes of the combatants saw a Kickboxing bout between two ladies. They squared off in the fourth fight of the evening. Under low kick rules Michele Berlando (Progressive Martial Arts) and Anastasia Powell (Arashi-Do Karate) came to the ring with only business in mind and put on the fight of the night to this point. Round one saw Berlando land some leg kicks which made the walls shake in the Roadhouse venue. Powell did not attempt to block these kicks and her legs were welting up with every strike. Powell did use some good hand techniques but the power of Berlando seemed superhuman. In the second round the leg barrage continued. Berlando, who was in suberb condition, moved effectivly while punishing both legs of her opponent. In the third round, Powell could hardly stand on her lead leg. Her knee was almost touching the canvas from the strength of Berlando's low kicks. Berlando was given the unanimous decision over Powell. These ladies went toe to toe for all three rounds. My hat's off to the Edmonton fighter for showing she wanted to fight. The hand and foot work of both fighters was impressive but the power displayed by Berlando, specifically in her kicks, was unbelievable. Great fight!

In the fifth Kickboxing fight of the evening, Shane Hoiland (Progressive Martial Arts) took on Jason Primmer (Mike Miles Muay Thai). Primmer, making his fight debut, looked like a seasoned veteran. The first round started with Hoiland, who was very muscular and trying to intimidate his opponent, come out with an onslaught of punches and kicks to Primmer. Primmer bided his time and countered with the percision of a sharpshooter. The second round saw Primmer turn up the volume and appear to take the fight completely out of Hoiland. Primmer landed effective body shots after getting his opponent to cover on a series of head blows. On top of this, his leg and body kicks were placed with accuracy and power. The third round saw the heat turned up even further by the Calgary athlete who dominated this round. Hoiland was given a standing eight count after Primmer almost broke his leg with a low kick. Hoiland cound not get off the mark and every offensive attack was blocked and answered in multiples by Primmer. Jason Primmer won his first fight by a unanimous decision. His poise under fire seemed like that of a seasoned veteran.

In the main event of the evening, Brad Wall (Progressive Martial Arts) took on Fran Quintana (Sent Tarng Muay Thai/Ian Cocks). Wall, a Lethbridge celebrity in the fight game, wanted a fight on this event and was having difficulty finding an opponent. The internet turned up a fighter with much less experience than the Lethbridge athlete. Wall's coach offered an exhibition match so his fighter could get in the ring and move in front of his hometown crowd, but Quintana insisted upon making the match a fight. In the first round, Wall seemed bewildered by the technique of Quintana who came right up the centre throwing everything he had. Wall just stepped aside and landed heavy blows with both his hands and feet. Quintana seemed defenseless against Wall's defensive and offensive skills. Half way throught the first round and after receiving a standing eight count, Quintana looked dazed. Wall continued to land heavy blows to every part of Quintana's body. In the second round, Wall seemed determined to end this contest quickly. Quintana took his fight to the air, jumping off the ground trying to land either kicks or punches. Wall stood his ground and delivered some powerful body shots and uppercuts to his opponent. The fight was stopped in the second after a mid section roundhouse kick dropped Quintana. "I am not sure whether to praise Quintana for guts, or condemn him for taking this fight. This fight had the potential to end up with a scary outcome. The officials were wise in letting Quintana quit", said one of the WKA Officials.

After the event was finished, the 'Fighter of the Night' was awarded to Jason Primmer (Mike Miles Muay Thai). His performance in the ring gave him a unanimous victory for the prestigeous award, a beautiful solid gold collectors ring presented by promoters, Mr. Mein and Mr. Hardy. Kudo's go out to the rookie who showed good skills during his match. Keep watching for this athlete on future events.

Once again the Roadhouse Rumble series of events gave all the spectators their money's worth. The sport of Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts is alive and flourishing in Lethbridge thanks to Mr. Lee Meins, Trevor Hardy and a following of loyal, loud and excited fans. Good job Lethbridge. We look forward to Roadhouse Rumble V as soon as possible.