I'm here at MMA Big Show: Relentless in Covington, KY, at the Northern KY Convention Center.

I'm going to do my best to keep up with a live blog of the show - however, the wireless internet available here at the center isn't the best.

On the up side, I've got a seat right outside the cage so as was the case with Pramit at the UWC, there's a fair chance I could be up and close with some blood splatter tonite.

Eleven fights on the card in multiple weight classes, four pro fights, seven amateur.

Main event is a welterweight match between Robert Bowling (3-0) from Team Vision facing Paul Man (3-2), an independent fighter. Man is a late replacement for Jake Short who was a late replacement for Sammy Morgan. Bowling is definitely a crowd favorite. He walked by the cage on his way to the locker room about 20 minutes ago and the place went wild.

We have a mix of pro and am fights tonight - as there is no outlet for me to plug into, I'll be posting on the pro fights only at this time, to conserve battery power. I'll give a full write-up of the amateur events in my post-event summary.

Three pro fights this evening, not four like I previously said.

Carson Gainey vs. Jose Vera

Our first pro fight of the night is a match at 135, pitting independent fighter Carson Gainey vs. Jose Vera out of First Blood MMA. In spite of the size difference, Gainey bears a resemblance to Kimbo Slice – tatted up with a giant beard. On a side note, Jose’s last name might be Vega – our program says Vera, the announcer says Vega.

Fighters circling, Gainey throws a huge overhand right, and falls when he missed. They lock up and Vera pushes Gainey up against the cage. Vera throws a good knee, Gainey looks for a sweep. Vera’s got Gainey up against the cage, Gainey has double underhooks. The fighters exchange knees and break. Gainey slips and Vera lands on top. He works to take Gainey’s back, but Gainey rolls and has one of Vera’s arms under him. Vera gets his arm out and starts punching Gainey’s head. Vera takes Gainey’s back and looks for the rear naked choke. Gainey’s nose is bleeding now. Vera lands numerous shots as Gainey looks to escape. Vera works through Gainey’s arms to set up the rear naked choke for the win at 2:27 of the first round.

Joe Ammerman vs. Chad Hinton (for the 155 lb title)

Round One
On a side note, when I was out getting a drink before the pro fights started, Rob Bradford (Rich Franklin’s boxing coach) stopped by the table where I’m sitting and wrote “Rob Bradford is the FU**IN MAN!” on my notepad. Bradford cracks me up.

Hinton, fighting out of Cincinnati MMA & Fitness, comes out first. There are a lot of Cincy MMA & Fitness fans here – 7 of their guys are fighting tonite and the fans are here with a lot of noise. Hinton is huge for 155 – like Sherk-huge, but taller.

Ammerman, out of Team Vision, comes out to an equally loud reception. He also looks big for 155, but not as big as Hinton. The two are already staring each other down from across the ring.

Touch gloves and we’re on – Hinton misses with a leg kick. Both are circling, looking for an opening, with Ammerman as the aggressor. Hinton lands a leg kick but Ammerman lands a shot. Hinton accidentally pokes Ammerman in the eye and the bout is stopped momentarily as the ring doctor comes in to take a look.

Fighters touch gloves again as the action starts. Ammerman is still the aggressor, Hinton goes for a head kick but misses. Hinton lands a leg kick. Hinton tries a front kick, but it doesn’t land. Ammerman rushes in and pushes Hinton against the cage, but backs off. Ammerman lands a couple quick jabs. Hinton gets a single-leg takedown and lands in side control, but transitions into Ammerman’s full-guard. Ammerman is scrambling trying to get Hinton off, and works his way back to his feet. Ammerman throws a left hook but it just grazes Hinton. Hinton lands a leg kick as Ammerman gets in and lands a couple shots to Hinton’s head. Ammerman accidentally kicks Hinton in the groin and before the ref can stop the fight, Ammerman lands another shot to Hinton’s face. Hinton is not happy and his nose is now bleeding from the last shot.

Action picks back up again and the fighers touch gloves. Ammerman lands a kick to the body, Hinton lands a leg kick and goes in for a takedown. Ammerman struggles, but Hinton overpowers him and lands in Ammerman’s half-guard. Hinton is struggling to get the dominant position.

Hinton works to land elbows from the top position, and lands a final one as the horn sounds

PreView sees it 10-9 Ammerman.

ROUND 2

Both fighter circle and quickly clinch. Hinton gets a takedown and lands in the dominant position on top with Ammerman against the cage. Hinton is working for a guillotine from the top, but Ammerman resists. Ammerman works for an armbar from the bottom but Hinton pulls out and then gets back on top for the dominant position. Hinton is warned against grabbing the fence. Hinton is in Ammerman’s half-guard, but also escapes that while Ammerman attempts to push him off. Hinton lands some solid body shots and shots to the head. Hinton’s nose is bleeding pretty steadily all over Ammerman’s back (and my table). Hinton lands an elbow to Ammerman’s midsection and is warned by the ref due to the elbow’s direction.

Ref stands them up as the action slows. Ammerman charges in and Hinton takes him down again and lands in the top position. Hinton has a knee on one of Ammerman’s arms and is landing some hard body shots and forearms to Ammerman’s face. Ammerman gets his arm loose, but Hinton still has the dominant position and has Ammerman up against the cage. Hinton is in front of his corner and is receiving non-stop advice, to his advantage. He lands some more hard body shots as the round expires.

Hinton seemed very out of sorts in the first round, like he couldn’t get his bearings. He was slipping and seemed unaware of his position – he didn’t have that problem this round.

PreView sees it 10-9 Hinton

ROUND 3

.The fight quickly goes to the ground and Hington works for a rear naked choke. Ammerman turns over and is in Hinton’s full guard. Ammerman lands a knee to Hinton’s head as the fightesr stand. Ammerman pushes Hinton against the cage, but Hinton transitions and takes Ammerman down and gets the full mount. Hinton is now in Ammerman’s half-guard.

Hinton is landing some forearms to Ammerman’s head and looks for a guillotine from the top. He has one of Ammermn’s arms and legs between his and Ammerman is struggling to get out. Hinton is once again in his corner.

The ref stops the action to get them standing as it slows.
Ammerman goes in for a body kick which hits Hinton. Hinton once again gets the takedown and works to land shots from the top. Hinton lands a few head shots, but Ammerman has Hinton in his full guard. Hinton postures up and lands down more shots from the top while Ammerman works to land body shots from the bottom. Hinton lands a few more forearms as time runs out.

PreView sees it 10-9 Hinton.

In spite of the fact that this was a title fight, it was only three rounds (I'll be asking the promoter about that later.

All judges score the fight 29-28 in a unanimous decision for Hinton, the new 155 lb champ.

Roger Bowling vs. Paul Man (Not a title fight as previously reported.)

The main event finds the defending champion Roger Bowling, from Team Vision, facing independent fighter Paul Man. The fight is not a title fight as previously reported due to the last-minute nature of the fight (Man took the fight on two day’s notice). Man was the final replacement for Sam Morgan who bowed out due to an injury he suffered in his TKO loss to Duane Ludwig.

Bowling is clearly the fan favorite here.

Man goes in for a front kick, but it doesn’t land. Bowling takes him down and immediately starts landing shots to Man’s head. Man has double-underhooks from the bottom and Bowling is struggling to get position. Bowling gets one arm free and attempts a transition to side mount. Bowling corner yells “Body, body, head.” Bowling works to posture up and stands as Man tries to land up-kicks. The fighters clinch and Man pushes Bowling up against the cage. Man lands a knee and a couple body shots.

Bowling looks for a trip but is unsuccessful. Both fighters trade knees as Bowling looks for the takedown with Man now against the cage. Man has a guillotine and now has Bowling in half-guard. Bowling lands some body shots as Man looks for full guard.

Bowling gets loose and lands a massive right to Man’s head as Man attempts upkicks. Bowling locks up with Man on the ground and transitions to his back with a guillotine choke that has Man immediately tappling.

Bowling by tapout due to guillotine at 3:20 of the first round.

Look for my full event wrap-up tomorrow with a summary of all the fights and some comments from the man behind MMA Big Show, Jason Appleton.

-PreView