The MMA team in USA, leaded by Ty Pilgrim, started to show expressive results in regional events. RFT's athletes perfomed excepcionally through out the the last night's tournament, 19, in Harrah (OH) in a benefit event for UFC fighter Matt Grice, that included a hand full of professional and amateur fighters. Grice, an Oklahoma City police officer and UFC fighter, continues to recover at a rehabilitation center after being severely injured in a car crash September 8. He was expected to fought last UFC 166 card.
Marcus Penland was the highlight of the event, he won his third consecutive fight defending the RFT’s flag. He started the fight with a very aggressive attitude, dominating the first round, he also applied a rear naked choke on his opponent.
On the amateur bouts, Levi Fewell also won with a rear naked choke, meanwhile Kenny Wogoman did not have to put as much work to win at 58 seconds of the R1, all of the emerged victorious. It was Wogoman’s first fight in the United States since he left Israel Luta-Livre Academy, an academy that is RFT’s partner in the Middle East that have got Amit Hakim as its head coach, Wogoman showed his enormous potential.
At last but not least, Levi advanced to his second amateur victory (2-0). Marcus now paw tied his record 5-5. Upon arriving at the training center of Muskogee, Oklahoma, he was facing a career crisis. He competed in three different weight classes and unfortunately did not have much luck. “It was certainly a big night for Matt Grice and RFT. We were the best team of the night. Marcus is a professional athlete and fought for free, all we wanted to help in some way for the cause,” said Pilgrim who is negotiating a participation in Muay Thai tournaments and MMA fights in November and December.
Amateur 18 years Casey Walker debuted in the cage defending the black and yellow flag against a wrestling specialist savvy, he did not get the “W”, but he sure left everything he got in the cage during the tough 3 round fight.
Matt Grice Fight Night raised US$ 11,000 for help the injured fighter.