Thao and Rising Son Dominate, Rear Naked Chokes Recurrent Throughout KTK 30

Written by Brad Schjoth

Sunday, 24 January 2010 21:08

Thanks to Pat O’Malley, Sam Thao finally had an opponent after both Chris Befera and Floyd Hodges were unable to compete Saturday night. Wade Choate, a decisive underdog, was unable to wage much of an attack against Thao, who now controls KTK’s 135-pound division. Surprisingly, Thao’s victory came by knockout and not by way of rear naked choke, as it was seemingly the submission of choice.

Corey Christopherson, Konquer the Kage matchmaker, described the situation that began almost three weeks ago as “one of the most disappointing things I have had to deal with in my MMA career”. Initially scheduled to be a matchup for the bantamweight title, Befera suffered an ankle injury. But perhaps a more intriguing fight developed with Hodges, who had specifically called out Thao in an interview WCS conducted last month. And just this week, Hodges was unable to compete for reasons that KTK is not disclosing.

However, fight night finally came with Wade Choate (18-13) announced as Thao’s opponent, in a bout for the Interim Bantamweight Championship that has been established in light of Befera’s inability to defend. The crowd was electric, the Patriot Center in Wausau was absolutely packed, and the eruption that been anticipated as Thao (5-1) walked to the cage ended up being nothing short of deafening.

But perhaps even louder was the right body kick that Thao landed to open the fight, as the smack of shin on skin carried throughout the building. Choate attempted to close the gap to eliminate the distance, but Thao was able to shuffle back. Looking to connect with some spinning roundhouse kicks, the fighter that once close to participating in Fedor vs. Rogers, moved swiftly and danced around to draw Choate in. Choate did, and Thao landed a right hand that dropped Choate to the mat. A small flurry for good measure capped it off, and referee Ray Yager dove in to save the CICC competitor at 1:25 of the first round.

Thao quickly popped up and climbed both sides of the cage in a display of excitement and appreciation of all the friends and family who had come out to watch his fight. It was shortly after that he was presented with the title belt itself, and then provided with an engagement ring from his brother Lah, dropping to a knee to propose to his now-fiancé in the center of the octagon.

Following the event, Lah Thao, manager of Sam and founder of Rising Son MMA, had this to say about his sibling’s future:
“We’re looking at this Combat USA tournament, and we’re ready. We’re ready for Floyd too. All that smack talking, he better be ready to put his hands up. Hopefully we’re going to be training Muay Thai this summer down in Thailand, and we’re going to try and make a run for the WEC after we come back.”

Thao’s big right also earned him the Wisconsin Combat Sports Knockout of the Night.

The rest of the professional card packed some fun and interesting fights as well.

Dave Hipke (2-0) battled back after a tough first frame to take care of Minnesota’s Jared Chaney (2-3) in the second round, by what ended up being the ninth and final rear naked choke of the evening. After an all-out brawl started from the opening bell, Chaney got in close to Hipke and was able to secure a couple of takedowns to control the action. But roles soon reversed, as Hipke captured a double-leg takedown, took Chaney’s back, and the Rising Son competitor snuck in the forearm to cinch the choke at 3:19 of Round Two.

Stevens Point’s Jason Mence (2-0-1) didn’t need that amount of time, as he finished Joel Allard in just 18 seconds via TKO, after he took Allard to the canvas and moved to full mount, raining down blows.

Shawn Ueacker (6-1) found himself in a similar position, as his opponent Jeremy Hemmrich (3-6) verbal submitted a half-minute into the bout. Known for his powerful hands, Ueacker came out and exploded with a flurry of big strikes to both the body and head. The Next Level fighter is certainly becoming one to watch in the lightweight division.

When talking the Wisconsin Combat Sports Fight of the Night, there was one absolute battle that stood out to everyone in attendance, as it drew a standing ovation from the crowd on-hand. A women’s fight, between Rising Son’s Moriel Charneski (3-0) and Manitowoc’s Savannah Neuman went the distance, and will certainly go down as one of the best ladies bouts in 2010.

Most of the matchup was spent in the clinch, as Charneski looked to land numerous knees, over and over again, and only a few of which connected. Relentless, however, Charneski controlled most of the battle, and it was only when she was shoved out of the clinch that she caught some good lefts and rights from Neuman.

Bleeding profusely from the nose for the majority of two rounds, Charneski was able to get a takedown near the end of the third round, which may have sealed her victory in the judges’ eyes. As the blood dripped down onto her opponent’s forehead, Charneski attained full mount and landed a few short strikes as the horn sounded. All three scorecards gave her the “W”: 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.

As mentioned earlier, nine of the night’s 17 fights ended due to a rear naked choke, including five straight amateur contests. Many ended quickly, and amounted to a quick takedown, movement to the back of one opponent, and the snatching up of the neck.

The only submission that was not either verbal or of the rear naked variety, was secured by Allen Messa, a 155-pounder out of Baraboo. Despite being taken to the mat early by Rising Son’s Curt Suchocki (0-1), Messa worked his way back to butterfly guard and then kick Suchocki off, scrambling up to his feet. Messa then returned the favor, getting a takedown of his own. Out of full guard, he rolled and grabbed hold of an arm, ultimately earning Wisconsin Combat Sports’ Submission of the Night.

With the event being held essentially right in their backyard, Rising Son competitors filled the blue corner nearly all evening – and with good success. Going 10-3, Lah Thao was very pleased with the effort of his students:

“Beautiful. The guys fought, a lot of them in their first-time fight, you know. They fought well, they fought smart, and that’s the first thing I ask is to fight with heart and fight with intelligence. Don’t try to prove anything except to your own heart and your mind, and they did it.”

Professional Bouts
135 – Sam Thao (Rising Son, WI) def. Wade Choate (CICC, IL) R1 1:25 – KO (Punch)
145 – Dave Hipke (Rising Son, WI) def. Jared Chaney (Rochester MMA, MN) R2 3:19 – Submission (RNC)
170 – Jason Mence (Rising Son, WI) def. Joel Allard (Independent, WI) R1 :18 – TKO (Strikes)
155 – Shawn Ueacker (Next Level, WI) def. Jeremy Hemmrich (Independent, WI) R1 :30 – Submission (Verbal)

Amateur Bouts
155 – Eric Bebber (Felipe Barbosa, TX) def. Dave Phillips (Rising Son, WI) R3 3:00 – Decision (Unanimous)
145 – Matt Gaffney (Next Level, WI) def. Orlando Rosales (Felipe Barbosa, TX) R1 2:05 – Submission (RNC)
170 – Jared Faulks (Rising Son, WI) def. Levi Thibideaux (Independent, WI) R1 1:58 – Submission (RNC)
185 – Kyle Wood (Rising Son, WI) def. Jamie Romportel (Independent, WI) R2 1:16 – Submission (Strikes)
155 – Allen Messa (Felipe Barbosa, WI) def. Curt Suchocki (Rising Son, WI) R1 2:25 – Submission (Armbar)
185 – Kyle Krueger (Team Amos, WI) def. Alex Sikora (Independent, WI) R1 :40 – Submission (RNC)
170 – Charles Hansen (Rising Son, WI) def. Zech Bant (Team Amos, WI) R1 1:21 – Submission (RNC)
155 – Greg Koval (Rising Son, WI) def. Corey Bruhn (Independent, WI) R1 :33 – Submission (RNC)
185 – Nate Jackson (Rising Son, WI) def. Charles Berg (FVGC, WI) R1 2:44 – Submission (RNC)
155 – Dave Wanta (Rising Son,WI) def. Johnny Hamilton (Independent, WI) R1 :56 – Submission (RNC)
155 – Adam Rocha (Team Amos, WI) def. Wendell Waukau (Rising Son, WI) R2 3:00 – Submission (Verbal)
205 – Jeff Pagel (FVGC, WI) def. Dustin Block (Team Amos, WI) R2 :52 – Submission (RNC)

Women
Moriel Charneski (Rising Son, WI) def. Savannah Neuman (Metz’s Combat Club, WI) R3 3:00 – Decision (Unanimous)

KTK 30: The Takeover -- Quick Results

Someone Steps Up to Take On Sam Thao

Set as favorite

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tyler greenwood said:

	... Sam must of got hit pretty hard also...thats the only reason I can think of to propose !!j/k congrats on the win and engagement. i look forward to the Befera match
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January 24, 2010
Votes: +0

Corey Christophersen said:

...
Just want to clarify that the disapointment as stated above was with the Hodges situation not Befera or anyone else. The reason we have not stated the reason for Floyd not fighting is because I figured someone from his camp should be the ones to first address that subject after Floyd publicly called Sam out. Since it has been 12 days and no one has done that I will. It was a legal matter that kept Floyd Hodges out of this fight.

I also want to state that John Atkinson was honest about the situation and kept me informed about what was going on.

January 25, 2010
Votes: +0

Corey Christophersen said:

	... Just in case somebody missed it in the story above (mentioned 4 times) there were alot of RNC's at the show.
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January 25, 2010
Votes: +0

Corey Christophersen said:

	... On a positive note I want to thank all of the fighters and teams (especially the guys that took tough fights on short notice) that helped make this event a huge success. Also props to our staff which was short handed in dealing with the huge crowd and amount of fighters at this show. Thanks again. Corey
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January 25, 2010
Votes: +1

Ken Sitsler said:

	... Brad wants again thanks for getting me out of a bind! Your sisters camera seemed to work out alright. And congrats to all the Rising Son Guys and Lady you showed what central wisconsin is capable of with the combination of hard training,a good coach,and alot of heart. Hope to be sparring with you all soon just keep Moriel away from me she's to mean!!!
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January 25, 2010
Votes: +1

Phillip Byrd said:

Thoa vs Hodges
This is a fight that will get much noted attention before it happens. Wisconsin MMA fighting is up and coming and it is this type of hype and excitement that it needs. As a friend and team member of Floyd's I can tell you that he awaits this competition. He is just as or even more excited than the fans that are following this upcoming match. Keep the liveliness in Wisconsin MMA! Thats whats up!

January 25, 2010
Votes: +1

wendel said:

	... Any more pics for this event?
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January 26, 2010
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Brad Schjoth said:

	... There have been several people now asking for more photos from the event. I will take a look through all that we shot, gather a few more and put them up here shortly.
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