Written By: AJ Hoffman
The first half of 2011 has given Houston one of it’s best starts to a year of all time. I thought it would be a good time to run through and hand out some mid-season awards. While a lot of guys have been good, someone has to be the asshole that says this was “the best”. So without further ado, I will be that asshole.
BEST NEWS
Moore, Bronzoulis and Melancon sign with Strikeforce.
We have all been waiting for the next guy from Houston to make it to the next level. Instead, we got three guys. And even though Moore was the only one who walked out of Dallas with a win, all represented well and will likely get another shot with the promotion.
Honorable Mention- Adam Schindler is part of Bellator Summer Series Featherweight Tournament.
WORST NEWS
Casey Hobson passes away.
Houston lost one of its most likable fighters with the death of 22 year old Casey Hobson to a brain injury. His funeral brought out a huge showing from the Houston scene, and he has been recognized by multiple fighters and organizations.
Honorable Mention- IXFA closing up shop in Houston.
BEST PRO CARD
Legacy FC 5
Legacy gave us arguably their best card to date with their January offering. My favorite thing about it was the fact that Legacy brought in some of the best fighters to Dallas to put up against our best, and Houston really proved that our scene may be the best in Texas.
Honorable Mention- IXFA 6
BEST AMATEUR CARD
Cage Combat 4
So I guess technically this didn’t happen til July 1st, so it would be a second half fight. But this is my list with my rules. There wasn’t a dog fight on the card. Probably the best amateur show I have seen in Houston, topped off by the epic war between David Armas and Andrew Musquiz.
Honorable Mention- Legacy Amateur Series (May 14th)
BEST MOMENT
Photo Courtesy: Mike Calimbas
Bob Perez and Jennifer Josey Wedding
Anytime you get a wedding inside a cage, it makes for a pretty cool night. In a venue where gym loyalty usually starts fights, it was an event that brought everyone in the crowd together.
Honorable Mention - Tony Orozco makes his MMA debut.
HEAD SCRATCHING MOMENT
Brian Melancon loses at Strikeforce: Dallas
Judging has been a big point of debate this year and the biggest moment to date for a Houston fighter this year was marred by bad judging once again. Melancon dropped a split decision to Isaac Vallie-Flagg despite controlling most of the fight and taking no damage.
Honorable Mention – David Armas vs. Manny Lozoya ending
BEST RING CARD GIRL
Brittany Marshall
Brittany has worked every single event that I have been to this year. Plus she is fun to look at.
Honorable Mention - Jenna Johnson
BEST AMATEUR KNOCKOUT
Luis Ibarra vs. Brandon Boyd
Luis landed a head kick less than a minute into the fight that knocked Brandon Boyd out cold.
Honorable Mention- Nathan Flack vs. Daniel Everitt
BEST PRO KNOCKOUT
Angel Huerta vs. Andy Sandoval
Angel Huerta put on a striking clinic that ended with a vicious head kick knockout. The strangest part was Angel telling me after the fight he was disappointed in his performance.
Honorable Mention – Josh Foster vs. Terrance Ferguson
BEST AMATEUR SUBMISSION
Evert Gutierrez vs. Corey Allmand
In what was expected by most to be a back and forth fight Gutierrez rocked Allmand early and took his back. He locked on a body triangle and slapped a rear naked choke to get the first round submission.
Honorable Mention - Aaron Croon vs. James Gonzalez
BEST PRO SUBMISSION
Justin Ledet vs. Lex Pappas
Pappas went for a single leg take down and Ledet locked up a guillotine that forced a tap at just :26 seconds into the fight. Ledet announced himself as a force to be reckoned with at 205 that night in Winnie.
Honoroable Mention – Justin Reiswerg vs. Rey Trujillo
BEST AMATEUR FIGHT
Joe Trevino vs. Jacob Silva
Unfortunately marred by the crowd’s displeasure with the decision, this fight went back and forth before Trevino took the split decision victory. A great fight that appears to have jump started Jacob Silva’s career, as he just took the Garcia Promotions Flyweight Title.
Honorable Mention – John Hayden vs. Alex Fernandez
BEST PRO FIGHT
Jeff Rexroad vs. Ricardo Talavera
Both guys took it, both guys dished it out. This was one of the most exciting fights I have ever seen with several near finishes. Both guys worked out of some VERY dangerous situations en route to a Rexroad unanimous decision victory.
Honorable Mention – Cody Williams vs. Gerzan Chaw
BEST AMATEUR ROOKIE
Tony Orozco, Jr.
“Lil’ Tony” has gone 3-0 over the last 6 months, and it is hard to say which of the three is most impressive. His prom night decimation of Angel Zamora ranks highly, but his most recent tussle with Randy McCullough saw how poised he is with his back against the wall at only 17 years old.
Honorable Mention – Chris “Chop” Rucker
BEST PRO ROOKIE
Cody Williams
While we have only seen him once as a pro, it was enough to convince me that Williams is a guy to watch down the road. He tossed around a very good fighter in Gerzan Chaw on his way to a victory at IXFA in Winnie.
Honorable Mention – Pat Bierschwale
BEST AMATEUR FIGHTER
Colin Wright
Wright has moved his record to a perfect 5-0, taking on top competition both locally and outside the state. Wright can’t be far from getting paid to fight at this point.
Honorable Mention – G Moreira
BEST PRO FIGHTER
Daniel Pineda
Pineda has earned this in less than 4 minutes of work in the cage. He was dominant in both his fights, at two weight classes, against top competition. Pineda could very well be the next guy to take the step up to the next level.
Honorable Mention – Andrew Craig
OK, so now for the disclaimer. I already know that this will piss some people off, but it is just one man’s opinion. I welcome your feedback, as always.
Excellent post AJ! I agree with most of’em but that KO of the half-year HAS to go to Josh Foster for putting Terrance’s lights out, and on the ground no-less! That one was BRUTAL.
I looked up the Legacy FC 5 card, and I didn’t see any of DFW’s “best” fighters on there. Other than that this was a very cool article. Glad to see the Houston scene is blowing up!
Chas = correct.
Thanks for the love AJ!! Hopefully I get a few more knockouts under my belt this year. BailouT or getout!!
OK. Christopher and Krantz were supposed to be a little better than they showed. Or did I just have the wrong card all together.
No, they were def. handled by the Houston reps but Krantz isn’t from Dallas and you can’t base domination of an entire city just be one person’s performance.
What city does he fight of?
D-Rock’s gym is out of Marshall, I believe. East Texas. Either way, Houston DID kick ass and is definitely blowin’ up! That’s the important thing! Legacy 5 was amazing. ….Legacy 7 will be better.
Ahhh. Marshall. Didn’t know that.
OK. My mistake. Thought Krantz was fighting out of Dallas. Apologies. Still a good card.
Good job AJ!!! The fight between Joe Trevino and Jacob Silva was EPIC!
thank you AJ! it feels like hard work paying off.
Glad to be part of the list! Just not digging the picture Barry. J/k
I would never blame AJ for picking the photos…that would be totally uncool.
Great job AJ. Reading the awards brings back some awesome recent memories of these fights. Very nice work bro!!!
And yes, Krantz fights out of Marshall, TX
Not to take anything from angel but that wasn’t th best ko
What do you think was the best KO?
Thx for the props AJ.
That is definitely my fav fight I’ve ever been in.
I’m still scratching my head! :confused:
I thought the best Submission was Daniel Pineda vs. Levi Forrest. The reason I say that is Daniel was fighting a guy that normally fights and is domiant in the 170 division look at some of his wins over top people and I could be wrong but I think Daniel tapped him out in less than 2 minutes of the 1st round. Also you must consider the guy was fighting out of Gracie so he didn’t exactly tap a striker. Just my thought.
I think another honorable mention for BEST PRO FIGHT/BEST PRO SUBMISSION would be Andrew Craig’s submission of Bubba Bush with 7 seconds left to go in the match. IMO, it was tied going into round 5, but Craig was losing the round. Amazing win and amazing finish.
check that, TKO. My bad.
Josh foster to me had the best ko just my opinion
But I respect ur choices
Great work AJ! Love the idea of Mid-Year awards! I think all of your picks were undisputable other than the Pro Submission. I would keep those two picks except switched them. Not to take anything away from Justin Ledet cause the kid is definitely a force to be reckoned with at 205 but the armbar Justin Reiswerg put Rey Trujillo in was not only EPIC but a huge boost for Reiswerg’s career. It had been a little over a year and a half since his last fight and Justin defeated an extremely tough and experienced Trujillo in the last round of a hard-fought battle from both fighters
So proud of my little bro Tony Orozco Jr. you are damn right this man is going places. He not only is a tough competitor but has the heart of a champion so proud of him and all that he has and will continue to accomplish. Truly an example of what comes when you train hard and each time you step in that ring you put your heart and soul into all that you do!!! So proud to call you my baby bro and know you have much much more to come love your big sis Crystal!!!! Silverback Fight Club all the way baby!!!
Also my dad Tony “The Original Silverback” Orozco making his pro debut was one not to have been missed. My dad fought with heart against a tough opponent Shawn Machado. So proud of him being the age that he is and still going for his dreams. My dad is an inspiration and shows that anything is possible at any age and with hardwork, courage and heart I know he will keep going. Eventhough the outcome of the fight was not what we would have like to see still proud of the job he did and his courage and determination that it takes for him and EVERY fighter to step into that cage and put everything you have on the line!! Much love and respect everyone from me and my Silverback Family!!!