Baran's Breakdown: Ring of Combat 39 Post Fight Wrap Up

(Photos by Mark Ward)

Tom DeBlass is now 7-0 as a professional MMA fighter.  DeBlass is also now the Ring of Combat Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion.  Two titles in two weight classes at the same time.  Only one other fighter in ROC history has accomplished that feat.  What else does DeBlass have to do to prove that he belongs in the big leagues?  The most recent edition of the DeBlass highlight reel came Friday night at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

The stage was Louis Neglia’s Ring of Combat 39 and the opponent was veteran heavyweight journeyman, Randy “The Wolf” Smith.  Smith courageously accepted this fight on very short notice after having fought twenty-eight days earlier.  DeBlass was considerate in not taking up too much of Smith’s time that night.  It took DeBlass just forty-one seconds to get the fight to the mat and secure a tight heel hook to get the tapout victory and another world title.  Seems to be a no brainer where Tom should be heading from here. We will find out soon enough from DeBlass and his camp.

Jeff Lentz also went home with a world title after putting on a striking clinic against last minute replacement, Giovanni Moljo.  Moljo stepped in after Deividas Taurosevicius had to pull out of the fight due to injury.  The change did not seem to affect the TUF alum, as Lentz dismantled Moljo with blinding punch and kick combinations.  Moljo had no answer for anything Lentz brought and fought very frustrated, which did not help his cause.  Lentz dominated all three rounds and won by a landslide 30-25 score on all three of the judges scorecards.

Daniel Akinyemi was a relative unknown to some of the fans in attendance at ROC 39, but despite losing his fight against veteran, Uriah Hall by heel hook, Akinyemi made a name for himself.  Akinyemi was taking the fight to Hall and up until that heel hook, was winning the fight.  Hall weathered the storm, waited for an opening, and quickly locked in a nasty heel hook with just seconds remaining in the first round.  Both fighters looked sharp in there Friday night and should be exciting fans again in the near future.

Bouncing back from losing his welterweight title, Pete Sell returned to the cage and won a unanimous decision against always tough, Mitch Whitesel.  Sell somewhat abandoned his stand-up game and spent the majority of the fight on the ground displaying another aspect of his well rounded skill set.  Sell’s ground and pound was too much for Whitesel to handle and Sell ran away with the fight and the judges decision.

Even the ladies came to fight at ROC 39.  Tough as nails Tiger Schulman standout, Munah Holland put on a heck of a show with BJJ ace, Pearl Gonzales.  Most expected Holland to avoid the mat with Gonzales and keep the fight on the feet and pick Gonzales apart with her striking.  Instead, Holland took the fight to the mat and used some tremendous grappling and ground and pound to earn a very close majority decision victory.  The scores on this razor close fight were 29-29, 29-28, and 29-28.  If you are not sold on women’s MMA yet, watch this fight.  It should change your mind.

Other notable performances came from rising star, Frankie Perez, who dominated all three rounds of his fight to remain unbeaten and someone to keep a close eye on in the coming months.  Jarred Mercado, James Jenkins, Andre Harrison, and Whitney Jean-Francois all put on a heck of a show and came away victorious at ROC 39.  Jean-Francois and Jenkins both won via TKO in dramatic fashion.  Submission of the night might have to go to Duane van Helviort.  Van Helviort used a deep triangle choke to put Local favorite, Lester Caslow to sleep about two minutes into the first round.

All in all, ROC 39 was an action packed card from start to finish and a fantastic way to kick off 2012.  Expect to see many of these names and more on the card when Louis Neglia and company return to the Tropicana on April 27^th with ROC 40.  Keep an eye out and get your tickets for this show ASAP before they are sold out.