I'm here at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky for Intimidation Cage Fighting: Redemption. I'm lucky enough to have a cage-side seat, so as with the MMA Big Show, if there's blood, I'm definitely going to see it.

You can find the ICF on the web here.

The main event tonite features a heavyweight match-up between TUF-Alum and former UFC Fighter Dan Christison vs. Steve "Lambchop" Banks.

I'll be doing a post-event write-up with comments from the promoters and some of the fighters, as well as an update with links to some of the camps' websites.

Action is set to start at 8pm. I'm going to attempt to a live-blog of the entire events, although I'm sure my write-up on the non-title amateur fights will be a bit shorter than the rest.

As with all of the events I've been to thus far, the cage is provided by Sinister Angel Cages.

Greg Franklin is the ref tonite. If you're wondering - yes, that's Rich Franklin's brother.

I'll be back as soon as the fight starts.

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Okay, no fights yet - starting in about 10 minutes. I do, however, have the fight card, so I'll throw that in now, and update as we go along.

If you take a look, you'll see there is a women's fight tonite. Christison and Banks is the only pro fight, but out of the amateur fights, four of them are title fights.

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Dominique Steele vs. Michael Shelton

We're starting out with a heavyweight match-up. Steele is making his MMA debut, and is giving up 40 pounds to the 285 pound Shelton, who is also making his debut.

Round 1
Fighters circle and clinch up. Shelton trips Steele, but Steele lands on top in the mount. Steele transitions to side control and slips in a few shots to the face. Shelton rolls, looking to get out, but Steele sinks in the rear naked choke, and quickly forces the tap.

Steele by rear naked choke, Round 1, 1:08.

Aaron Marsee vs. Doug Balinger (145)

Marsee (2-1) is fighting out of Domination MMA, the local Militech Fighting Systems affiliate. Balinger comes in with a record of 3-2.

Round 1
Balinger comes in with a quick combination. Marsee tries a kick, but it doesn't land. Balinger lands a body kick, then a leg kick, and another body kick. Marsee clinches him up and puts him up against the cage. Marsee has double underhooks and is working the body. Balinger keeps attempting the sweep but can't get Marsee down. Marsee gets the takedown and quickly gets the moutn and transitions to Balinger's back. Marsee is raining down shots to Balinger's head while Balinger tries to get out. Marsee is working for a sort of sideways triangle from Balinger's back. It's not doing a lot of damage, but it's keeping Balinger in place for Marsee to get in more shots. Balinger gets out right as the horn sounds for round 1.

Preview sees is 10-9 for Marsee.

Round 2
Balinger comes in with a short body kick and lands a couple hits to Marsee's face. Marsee gets Balinger against the cage and Balinger reverses. Marsee sweeps Balinger and lands a couple of shots from the top before Balinger sweeps him and ends up on top. Marsee is working for a triangle from the bottom - Balinger briefly slips out but Marsee sinks it in again, forcing the tap.

Marsee by triangle choke, Round 2, 1:43.

Joe Bogart vs. Mark Crawn (205)

Bogart (1-0) is fighting out of Vision MMA, and he's got a bigger entourage than P.Diddy with him at the cage. Crawn is fighting out Beckley MMA, West Virginia affiliate of Team Jorge Gurgel.

Round 1
They clinch up and Bogart lands five quick knees to the body. Crawn pushes him up against the cage. Bogart briefly gets out and lands more knees before Crawn gets him up against the cage again. Bogart reverses and Crawn lands a knee tot he body. Bogart lands a knee to the face and the fighters move to the center trading hard punches to the face. Crawn pushes Bogart against the cage and lands a big right, flooring Bogart. Crawn lands another hit before ref Greg Franklin jumps in to stop it.

Crawn by KO, Round 1, 1:21

Clayton Davidson vs. Corey Zimmerman (135)

Davidson enters first, fighting out the Domination MMA (MFS). Zimmerman is fighting out of Team Xtreme at Cincy MMA and Fitness.

Round 1
Zimmerson tries a kick to the head and trips. Davidson lands a couple quick shots as Zimmerman gets back up. Davidson pushes him against the cage, but Z gets out. The two clinch up, trading shots with Zimmerman going for the trip. Zimmerman gets a guillotine, but Davidson gets out and ends up in mount, landing multiple shots from the top ans Zimmerman tries to get a leg in front of Davidson's face. Davidson stuffs the attempt and lands more shots from the top. Zimmerman is trying to scramble, but Davidson is landing multiple shots from the top. Zimmerman scrambles out, but lands in an armbar attempt. Zimmerman gets out and Davidson lands a kick to the body as they stand. Zimmerman tries a knee to the face while Davidson is throwing shots. Davidson lands a hard body shot and pushes Zimmerman up against the cage. Zimmerman lands a leg kick. Both fighters are swinging for the fences as the horn sounds.

PreView sees it 10-9 Davidson.

Round 2
Both fighters come out with kicks, but neither does much damage. Davidson lands a combination but Zimmerman gets a knee to the head before the fighters trade punches again. Davidson knocks Zimmerman down, but Zimmerman attempts an ankle lock. Davidson escapes and gets the full mount again, landing shots from the top. Zimmerman is scrambling, but he's stuck on the bottom. Davidson is landing multiple shots to Zimmerman's face, but Zimmerman is still scrambling. Davidson works for an armbar attempt, and Zimmerman holds on for a few seconds for tappling.

Davidson by armbar, Round 2, 2:01

Dave Heidorn vs. Joel Miller (189)

Heidorn (1-0) is fighting out of Team Xtreme at Cincy MMA and Fitness. Miller is representing Cincinnati MMA.

Round 1
Both fighters land quick shots to the face before Miller shoots in. Heidor attempts a throw, but Miller recovers and puts him against the cage, landing knees to the body. Heidorn changes positions, but Miller reverses again and lands more knees to the body. Heidorn jumps for the flying triangle (seriously) and brings Miller down. Heidorn has a cut on the bridge of his nose. Miller escapes and tries for shots from the top. Heidorn reverses and lands in Miller's full guard. Heidorn transitions to side control but Miller forces his way to his feet and lands more shots to Heidorn's face as he's on the ground. Hediron works hard throught he assault and keeps moving. Miller lands a final shot as the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 Miller.

Round 2
Miller comes out with another shot to Heidorn's face. Heidorn goes in for a jumping knee but backs off. Miller lands a good leg kick and throws some punches just out of his range. Miller lands a strong kick to the body, and another, circling Heidorn. Miller lands another kick to the body and Heidorn lands a hard shot to Miller's face and Miller clinches up. Miller lands a knee to the body and hard right hook but Heidorn stays up. Heidorn's nose is bleeding as Miller shoots - Heidorn stuffs the takdown, climbing onto Miller's back while working for an armlock as the two fall. Heidorn sinks it in quickly and Miller taps before the ref can jump in to stop it.

Heidorn wins by armlock, Round 2, 1:28

Justin Hunt vs. Chris Curtis (175)

For the Vacant Title. I don't know what team Hunt is fighting out of. Curtis is fighting out of Team Vision - he's got MMA Big Show 170 pound champ Roger Bowling in his corner.

Round 1
Both fighters exchange Curtis lands a quick knee to the head. The two go down with Curtis on Hunt's back, landing shots to the face. Curtis works for a body triangle and flattens out Hunt. He gets the body triangle and lands shots to Hunt's head as Hunt scrambles. Hunt can't get out as Curtis lands more unanswered shots. Curtis rolls over and sinks in the rear naked choke. Hunt resists, but Curtis continues to squeeze until Hunt taps.

Curtis wins the vacant title by rear naked choke, Round 1.

Doug Keefe vs. Matt Storms (150)

Keefe (1-0)is fighting out of Cincinnati MMA (not the same as Team Xtreme). Storms is an independent fighter.

Round 1
Storms rushes in and lands a quick combination, flooring Keefe. Keefe manages to shoot in and put Storms against the cage. Storms works for a guillotine as Keefe tries to capitalize from the side position. Keefe lands knees to Storms's body and rolls Storms over, landing shots to the head. Keefe works for a rear naked choke, but then lands more shots and is warned by the ref for hitting the back of Storms's head. Keefe works to flatten out Storms and sinks in the rear naked choke, ending the fight.

Keefe wins by rear naked choke, Round 1, 1:50.

Dara Allen vs. Jacklyn Greenwell (125)

Now we're at the only women's fight of the night - the crowd is really looking forward to this one. Allen is representing Team Vision (1-0). Greenwell (MMA Debut) is fighting out of Cincinnati MMA.

Round 1
Greenwell lands a quick leg kick, Allen answers with a two punch combo. The fighters are trading shots, looking for an advantage. Allen lands some more hard shots and they circle. Greenwell lands a light leg kick. Allen lands more punches to Greenwell's head. Greenwell looks for more leg kicks and Allen looks for shots to the face. Allen answers with a body kick and straight left to Greenwell's face. Allen lands another body kick and they circle some more. Allen lands more straight shots - Greenwell has a mouse swelling up under her right eye. Allen lands another hard body kick and shots to Greenwell's face. Allen continues to work the jab and lands another leg kick. Allen tries another kick, but Greenwell mostly deflects it. Allen land more hard jabs as the horn sounds.

PreView sees it 10-9 Allen

Round 2
Allen looks for some more hard jabs and Greenwell tries to get inside Allen's reach. Allen lands a couple hard body kicks. Allen lands a two-punch combination that keeps Greenwell at arm's length. Allen lands another body kick followed by a right hook. Greenwell eats a kick to the head as she reaches in for a punch. Allen is continuing to work the jab. Allen lands a hard short right and then a left hook followed by a right hook. Greenwell lands a leg kick, and they trade punches to the face. Allen lands another hard right cross and another as Greenwell lands a leg kick. Allen lands another kick to the body as the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 Allen

Round 3
The crowd goes wild as the third round starts. Greenwell lands another leg kick, but Allen is still landing shots to Greenwell's face. More leg kicks from Greenwell and hard shots by Allen. The fighters trade more punches to the face as Greenwell lands another leg kick. Allen backs off and lands two more jabs and a right hook, followed by a body kick. Greenwell gets Allen up against the cage, but Allen gets out with more jabs. Allen lands more jabs followed by a right hook. Allen lands another body kick and right hook, followed by another body kick that Greenwell blocks. They trade more punches, and Allen works by getting a few shots in and backing off. They trade body kicks and jabs as the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 Allen.

Allen wins by unanimous deicision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27).

Jason Cocayne vs. Robert Todd (189)

Cocayne (2-1) is representing Team Vision. Todd (debut) is representing Club MMA.

Round 1
Cocayne shoots in and takes Todd down with a big slam. Todd lands with a guillotine attempt and full guard. Todd is squeezing as Cocayne tries to get out. Todd sinks in the choke, forcing the quick tap.

Todd wins via guillotine choke, Round 1, :38.

John Hayes vs. Scott Roberts (150)

"Hacksaw" John Hayes fights out of Domination MMA (MFS). Roberts is a non-affiliated fighter.

Round 1
These two are ready to go right out of the gate. Quick touch of gloves then Roberts lands a three punch combination and takes Hayes down in a guillotine attempt in the half-guard. Hayes is scrambling, trying to get out, landing some body shots. Hayes is in the full mount, but still caught in the guillotine, working to land body shots. Hayes pulls out and rolls over Roberts working for a rear naked choke. Roberts gets out and starts a quick ground and pound. Hayes catches Roberts in a triangle and Roberts thrashes trying to get out, but ultimately has to tap.

Hayes wins via triangle choke, Round 1, 2:17

George Oiler vs. Ron Mitchell (205)

For the Vacant Light Heavyweight Title. Oiler (3-0) fights out of Beckley MMA, the WVa Team Jorge Gurgel affiliate. "Ruthless" Ron Mitchell (4-0) is clearly the local favorite - he fights out of Team Vision and Boxing4Fitness. Bowling is working Mitchell's corner.

Round 1
Oiler shoots in and goes for the takedown. Mitchell has a guillotine attempt, but loses his grip. The two clinch and break with Oiler missing and then landing a leg kick. Mitchell lands knees to the body as Oiler looks for the takedown. Oiler ends up in mount, but Mitchell scrambles out - ends up in Oiler's full guard, picks Oiler up and slams him, Rampage-style. Mitchell works the ground and pound and backs off, diving in for a quick shot that catches Oiler in the groin - hard. The ref calls it as unintentional and warns Mitchell.

Action stars again - Oiler looks for some leg kicks and shoots in, taking Mitchell down. Oiler has side control while Mitchell scrambles. Oiler lands a couple shots to Mitchell's face as the two stand and Oiler goes for a guillotine. Mitchell picks Oiler up and slams him twice as Oiler looks for the up-kicks and Mitchell hovers near him as the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 Mitchell.

Round 2
Oiler stars things off with a leg kick. Mitchell lands a hard right that floors Oiler, but Oiler goes for a ankle lock. Mitchell slips out and ends up in Oiler's full guard. Mitchell is landing shots to the body and face and kicks to Oiler's thigh before Franklin stands them up. Oiler shoots in, but Mitchell stuffs it and ends up in Oiler's guard. Oiler is working for an arm lock, but Mitchell pulls out. The ref calls time as Mitchell accidentally knees Oiler in the face. Franklin deducts a point for the knee to Oiler's face. Oiler is clearly dazed. The crowd is boo'ing Oiler incessantly, in spite of the fact Mitchell is at fault.

Oiler lands another leg kick, and an inside leg kick, but falls over. Mitchell hovers, so the ref stands them up. Mitchell goes in with a hard right hook, but Oiler shoots and takes him to his knees. Oiler lands some shots to the head and body as Mitchell looks for the single-leg takedown. He gets it, but Oiler looks for the triangle, and locks it in. Mitchell taps out with about 7 seconds left in the round.

Oiler wins the vacant Light Heavyweight Title via triangle choke, Round 2, 2:53

Tyler Johnson vs. Marcus Finch (185)

For the Middleweight title. Johnson (2-0) is fighting out of Team Vision. Finch (5-0) is the defending champion, fighting out of Team Xtreme at Cincy MMA & Fitness.

Round 1
Johnson goes in with a jab and Finch throws a good body kick. Johnson lands a leg kick and an inside leg kick that was close to the groin. Johnson gets the takedown and works for side control, landing in Finch's half-guard. Finch is holding Johnson close so he can't land any head shots. Johnson is working for the kimura and Finch is trying to scramble out of it. Finch gets out but Johnson gets the full mount and lands some shots to Finch's face. Johnson is trying to get him off, but is taking some hard shots to the face. Finch is scrambling and Johnson is looking to extend Finch's arm again. Finch is taking more shots to the face as the round ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 for Johnson.

Round 2
The fighters circle and lock up - Finch pushes Johnson up against the cage and lands a knee and scores a double-leg takedown. Johnson ends up on top and transitions to side control to full mount. Johnson is trying to work ground and pound while tries to avoid shots. Johnson lands some shots to the body before the ref stands them up. Both fightes come in swinging, with Finch getting the advantage. He puts Johnson up against the cage and lands a couple knees, which Johnson answers with a knee of his own. Johnson lands a big knee to the head, but Finch seems unfazed and rushes in with some hard jabs. The fighters are against the cage, and Johnson pushes Finch off. Johnson scores a double-leg takedown and transitions to side control to end the round.

PreView sees it 10-9 for Johnson.

Round 3
The fighters exchange punches and break up as Finch lands a good body kick. Finch gets Johnson up against the cage and starts trying for knees to the body and Johnson's legs. Finch lands more knees to Johnson's legs, and a short uppercut. The fighters break and Finch eats a couple jabs from Johnson before charging in with a hard right. They break again and Johnson lands a good body shot and two inside leg kicks, followed by another one. Finch lands a head kick, but Johnson blocks it for the most part. Finch lands another one and the fighters circle, both looking for an advantage. Finch lands a hard right, and comes in with a knee to Johnson's leg, but Johnson then works in for the takedown. Finch goes down but quickly gets back up a few seconds before the horn sounds.

PreView sees it 10-9 for Finch.

Round 4
Finches in with a couple quick punches, but Johnson gets the takedown. Finch gets the mount, but Johnson shakes him off and they stand. Finch lands a knee to the body and pushes Johnson against the cage. Johnson reverses position and tries to land a knee to the body. Johnson misses with another knee and Finch lands one. Johnson is trying for a single-leg takedown, and Finch resists for a couple seconds, but Johnson sweeps his other leg. Finch has full guard and lands some shots from the bottom. Johnson lands a shot to the body. Johnson can't get out of Finch's full guard, and neither is doing much damage. Johnson stands and Finch lands an up-kick. Johnson comes down with a punch to Finch's face and works to land body shots before the roudn ends.

PreView sees it 10-9 Johnson.

Round 5
Finch's fans are behind me telling his corner, "He's just got to knock him the fu** out." In part, I think they're right. Johnson looks to be ahead on the scorecards, and Finch is at a disadvantage on the ground, so he needs to land hard shots.

Finch charges in and lands a couple shots to the head followed by a body kick, and a kick to Johnson's head. Johnson shoots in but Finch avoids the takedown and goes for a kick to the head and falls. Johnson is in side control landing some hard knees to Finch's body. Johnson isn't doing much from side control, but he seems to have, at least temporarily, neutralized Finch. Finch scrambles, but ends up in an armbar attempt. He gets out of it, but Johnson ends up in full mount, attempting to land shots to Finch's head. Johnson lands more shots to Finch's head that don't appear to be doing much damage, but allow him to keep the advantage. Johnson attempts a flurry of punches as the round ends and Finch tries to scramble out.

PreView sees it 10-9 Johnson.

Johnson wins the Middleweight Title via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).

Trey Talor vs. Matt Egner

For the Lightweight Title. Taylor is an independent fighter. Egner, the defending Lightweight Champ, fights out of Team Xtreme (Cincy MMA & Fitness). You might remember Egner from my MMA Big Show write-up - he was the one who stepped in at the last minute and won a three-round war that I thought was fight of the night.

Round 1
Fighters circle. Taylor tries a leg kick, but it out of range. Taylor lands a light body kick, and they trade punches to the face. Taylor shoots in, but Egner stuffs the takedown. Taylor has Egner against the cage, and finally gets Egner down, but Egner has a guillotine attempt and half-guard which he changes to full-guard. Taylor gets out of the guillotine, but Egner still has one of his arms wrapped up. Egner works for a triangle, and has one of Taylor's legs locked up as well. Taylor can't hold out long as Egner gets the quick victory and retains the title.

Egner wins via triangle choke, Round 1, 2:17.

Egner doesn't get much of a break - January 24th he'll be defending his title again, against Steve Muldrow.

MAIN EVENT

Dan Christison vs. Steve Banks

On to our main event, the sole pro fight of the evening. Steve "Lambchop" Banks is representing Team Vision. Dan "The Sandman" Christison fights out of The Sandbox. Jake O'Brien is in his corner - I know it's O'Brien because he's sitting right beside me. Never know who you'll see at these local shows.

Round 1
Christison comes in with a hard shot to the face which Banks answers. Banks throws some knees to the body. They're trading body shots and Banks lands an accidental shot to Christison's groin. Time is stopped.

Christison lands a hard left and a leg kick. Banks answers with a head shot of his own and a knee to the body. They clinch and Christison puts Banks up against the cage and lands some knees. Banks goes for a high head kick and slips. Christison capitalizes and gets on top, in Banks's half-guard. Christison is throwing shots to the body as Banks is scrambling and trying to land knees from the body. Christison is looking for a kimura from the top. He lands more body shots and works to get the full mount, but Banks scrambles. Christison lands more body shots and Banks keeps trying to scramble out. Christison gets the full mounts and then takes Banks's back, working shots to the head. Banks is flattened out now, trying to cover up. Banks rolls back over and Christison is in the full mount, working the ground and pound. Christison transitions to side mount and is working for a shoulder-lock from the top. Christison lands it and Banks verbally submits.

Christison wins via verbal tapout (shoulder-lock), Round 1, 4:29.

-PV

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Check back Sunday for my post-event write-up, including some comments from the promoters, Christison and Banks on their fight, Jake O'Brien on his upcoming UFC match and some of the Cincy MMA & Fitness guys and their thoughts on the night's event.