Dynasty Athletics & Fitness held Legion of Combat VI on Saturday night in Everett at the Rage Cage Indoor Arena. There were ten exciting bouts on the card, with a mix of MMA, boxing and kickboxing events. Eight of the events ended in first round finishes, with only two bouts going to the judges’ scorecards. The sold out event featured a spirited crowd and the promotion announced that the next Legion of Combat event is expected to take place in May.
A highlight of the evening was an appearance by UFC veteran Elizabeth Phillips. Phillips fights out of Warrior Camp in Spokane, Washington, also the training home of highly touted UFC lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney. Phillips is scheduled to compete in an upcoming Grappling Industries event this April 23rd in Portland. Phillips also teased the possibility of an MMA bout in the near future so be on a lookout for a fight announcement. Follow Elizabeth Phillips on Instagram at @lizzphillipsmma.
Sponsors for the event included Bounce With Us, The Cove Restaurant & Lounge, The Joint cannabis dispensary, Carson Cars, Holeshot Graphics, and CB Painting.
Connor Meyers Submits Chase Robinson with Rear Naked Choke
The opening bout of the night was a 145 lb MMA bout with Connor Meyers getting the rear naked choke finish in the first round. Meyers scored early with a solid left head kick. Chase Robinson responded by landing a body kick and a solid punch. The fighters then entered the clinch along the cage before the fight went to the mat with Meyers quickly working to take Robinson’s back and getting the RNC finish.
Ethan Drake Wins Via Triangle Choke Against Aaron Hobson
Aaron Hobson wasted no time getting the fight started as he shot immediately for a takedown. Ethan Drake defended by looking for a quick guillotine, but Hobson was able to pop his head out in short order. Hobson was able to land a left hand from top position but Drake did well to defend by tying up Hobson with good jiu-jitsu. Drake showed slick jiu-jitsu from his guard as he was able to secure the first round finish via triangle choke.
Zander Vance Gets Unanimous Decision Nod In Wild Fight Against Trevor Michalski
Zander Vance and Trevor Michalski are two young fighters who came to throw down and they put on a performance worthy of fight of the night honors in this 155 lb kickboxing bout. These young combatants surely will learn to improve their striking defense as both fighters took turns teeing off with their strikes. Vance began the first round by pressing forward aggressively. Vance was able to land solid punches with both hands and landed a flurry of hooks early in the round. It was a wild start to the fight as Vance appeared to get the better of the early exchanges. Vance displayed a nice jab that snapped Michalski’s head back on several occasions. Michalski did not back down, however, as he was able to put Vance up against the cage before Vance aggressively blasted his way out of trouble. Late in the round, Vance landed a jab that rocked Michalski. The first round, while hard fought, was clearly Vance’s round.
Round 2 saw more wild exchanges. Vance again went on the offensive early in the round, but Michalski did well to counter Vance’s momentum as he maneuvered Vance up against the cage. Vance did more good work with his jab in this round as he had Michalski clearly compromised. Michalski, to his credit, showed impressive fighting spirit as he continued to throw hard shots of his own. Vance, however, had a clear power advantage. Michalski’s best moment in Round 2 came when he landed three hard knee strikes with Vance’s back up against the cage. But Vance stormed back by landing a big right hand that appeared to rock Michalski. Vance had drawn a bit of blood in the first round, and Michalski was wearing it in the second round as the bleeding was more apparent. The second round was closer, but still likely Vance’s round.
Round 3 saw Michalski have another nice moment as he caught a front push kick by Vance and countered with a solid low kick. Vance then went on the offensive and landed another snapping jab. Vance closed the round with two big right hands. Vance earned the unanimous decision in the first fight of the night to go to the judge’s scorecards.
Jordan Stjern Lands Vicious Right Hook In Knockout Win Over Bryson Whalawitsa
The shortest fight of the night saw Jordan Stjern land a couple of hooks to start the fight, with Bryson Whalasitsa landing a solid straight punch. Whalawitsa then charged forward with ill intent but was met with a clean and vicious right hook that sent Whalawitsa crashing to the canvas. Stjern showed impressive power in this quick knockout victory.
Noah Johnson Defeats Shen Harris Via First Round TKO
Early in Round 1, the fighters entered the clinch as Noah Johnson punished Shen Harris with a hard knee. Johnson then immediately shot for a takedown and quickly secured mount position. Harris did well initially to defend as he attempted to scramble out of the disadvantaged position. Johnson, however, was able to maintain control of his man as he rained down a long series of punches. After what appeared to be about 15 punches that went undefended by Harris, the referee had seen enough and stopped the bout for the TKO victory by Johnson.
Mike Furrer Submits Scott Lee With First Round Armbar
Scott Lee got this fight off to a fast start as he shot for an early takedown but missed and in the exchange Mike Furrer ended up in top position. Furrer quickly got to work as he landed four right hands as Lee covered up. Furrer then advanced to knee-on-belly briefly before advancing to mount. Furrer then rained down the punches before hitting the armbar that finished the fight.
Noah Connors Wins Via Quick Rear Naked Choke Against Estephen Salazar
It was a wild fight for as long as it lasted. Noah Connors quickly charged forward as the fighters exchanged. Connors was able to secure a takedown and advanced immediately to Salazar’s back. Connors then showed good finishing jiu-jitsu as he wasted little time in getting the rear naked choke tap.
Logan Weersing and Darren Lian Fight To A Unanimous Draw in 150 lb Boxing Match
Early in Round 1, Darren Lian charged forward and landed several solid punches, but Logan Weersing connected with a big left hand that knocked Lian down to the canvas. Later in the round, Weersing landed another shot, this time with the left, that put Lian down. At the start of Round 2, Lian advanced on his man aggressively and landed a couple of hooks. Weersing and Lian then traded a series of solid hooks on each other. Late in the round both fighters landed several hard punches in a closely fought round. In the final round, Weersing finished strong by landing five or six hooks and a clean straight punch.
Solomon Sok Impressive in Co-Main Event TKO of Dylan Cartwright
Solomon Sok may be a local amateur fighter with a bright future as he impressed in his bout with Dylan Cartwright. Sok qualified for the state wrestling tournament as a prep wrestler for Tacoma Lincoln High School. The fight got off to a bit of an awkward start as Cartwright immediately shot for a takedown but the referee stopped the action as he claimed Sok had twice grabbed the cage in order to defend the takedown.
But on the re-start Sok secured a quick finish. The finishing sequence started with Sok landing a front kick to the chest as it appeared Cartwright was about to shoot for another takedown. The collision was so impactful that it sent Cartwright reeling backward into the cage. As Cartwright turned around, Sok pounced and hammered Cartwright with a running left knee to the chest. Sok then brought the violence as he landed five or six hard shots before the referee had seen enough and waived off the bout giving Sok the TKO victory.
Vijay Singh Shines in 170 lb Kickboxing Main Event TKO Victory Over Kevin Johnson
The theme of the night of quick first round finishes continued through the main event. Kevin Johnson started well by landing a solid left body kick that landed flush on Vijay Singh. Johnson continued to have success with his kicks as he landed both an inside and outside leg kick. Singh, however, turned the momentum in his favor by landing a left head kick and following with a straight left hand. Singh, with Johnson up against the cage, then landed five or six hard punches. Singh then landed another flurry of punches as he showed some excellent striking skills. A hard left hand for Singh snapped Johnson’s head back. Singh then went to work landing alternating hooks. Singh then landed a wicked knee to the body that had the referee step in to issue a standing eight count. The referee clearly didn’t like what he saw from Johnson as he then decided to waive off the bout resulting in the impressive TKO victory for Singh.
