Mixed Martial Arts

On Friday night (September 23rd,2011) there was excitement at the downtown Hyatt unlike any seen there before. It was billed a Riot at the Hyatt by promoters, Driller Promotions and Sterling Entertainment Group and with all the fireworks, chokes and tap outs that were displayed, it lived up to expectation.

The crowd was primed for action and action they got! On a beautiful Minneapolis evening that went on without a hitch or delay the program was evenly paced with seven co-main event bangers and a four fight amateur card. The evening was packed with action and technique. The fighters were eager to please as was their audience to watch.

Briefly speaking with promoter Jeremy Bjornberg, Litt asked the question what he thought of the evenings fully packed event. " Our goal is to present good competitive fighters at great venues. The Hyatt's been great, ....can' t say enough good things about the service and this particular venue. The things we insist on is safety and fairness for the fighters, and a good time for their fans. We're proud of the package we put together, and proud of the team of people that helped make it possible. Tonight we just about hit the mark."

Bjornberg and Mel Ott are modest fellows to be a promoter, passionate about the combative arts and obviously, pretty smart-because the evening could not have run smoother. The judging was fair, accurate, and without question-the scoring reflected was the real-deal. Although in most cases there wasn't much need to go to the scorecard (if you know what I mean).
 
 Without a doubt, as far entertainment for the buck, for people that like and need action the Riot at the Hyatt was the best MMA action in town.
The Game bred fight wear Main Event featured (at 185 lbs.)-Whisper Goodman 18-10 from Green Bay Wisk who challenged hometown good guy *Isaiah Larson 12-6 Minneapolis and then walked into a proverbial buzz-saw. Larson looked confident before the fight, and when asked by Littmagazine.com about how he felt about his opponents reputation for the tough fight.
"Larson said "it doesn't make me any difference-whatever he does or wants to do, I'll simply counter it, or neutralize it-I don' care what it is-I intend to win!!"
And win he did.

Looking into Larson’s clear, focused eyes there was no mistaken his confidence and commitment to win. I personally wouldn't bet against him, he seemed way too confident and relaxed before the fight.
 
A few good fighters chalked up wins, and an equal number of game competitors walked away with L's on their records. All the contestants in Friday night's "Riot at the Hyatt" fought with all they had and left nothing in the tank.
 
Co-Main Event:
 Chris Lane 4-3 from Cedar Rapids IA vs. *Michael Richman 9-1 Rosemount 150 lbs.
Floyd Hodges 8-4 from Janesville, WI vs. *Donald Williams 1-1 Minneapolis 140 lbs
Brian Learn 18-12 from Duluth MN vs. *Nick Kirk 5-0 Minneapolis MN 145 lbs
Wes Ronchi 13-13 from Duluth MN vs *Dan Kiser 4-2 Milltown WI 150 lbs
Reilly Griffin 2-0 from Mpls MN vs *Chase Waldon 3-1 River Falls WI 195 lbs
Chad Vaudrin 6-3 from Forest Lake vs *Lloyd McKinney 3-2 La Crosse WI 130 lbs
*Craig Early 3-5 from Eagan vs Brandon Bucholz 4-6 Virginia 135 lbs
 
 Amateur
Nick Jessen 7-4 Dubuque IA vs *Andre Tieva 4-0 Northfield MN 145 lbs
*Danyelle Williams 4-2 Owatonna MN vs Tom Krenzel St Paul MN 205 lbs
*Jake Erickson 1-River Falls WI vs James Clark 3-1 Crystal MN 205 lbs
*Fikret Saric 3-4 Fergus Falls vs Adam Schlepp 3-5 Fergus Falls 135 lbs
 
* indicates winner of fight
 
If you haven't seen a mixed martial arts event, and would like to see upcoming MMA events contact Jeremy Bjornberg at sterlingmn.com you won't be disappointed.

Look for more upcoming events by Driller Promotions and Sterling Entertainment Group.

Image AP