Saturday's WFC amateur MMA show at the Mont Bleu Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada was already declared a success based on the ticket sales to fans coming to watch several popular local area up-and-comers on the card. It could've been even bigger, however, had the promoters not been worried about giving too much pre-fight attention to one particular fighter on the card. Those in attendance, however, got an extra treat when they realized that on the fight card was one Ross Miller, Nevada's very own Secretary of State.
Miller's MMA training has been showcased in national publications, but the fact that he was actually going to step into the cage and compete had to be kept under wraps for fear that individuals in certain agencies would not have allowed it. His debut almost turned out to be a disaster in the very first round, as a nervous Miller was caught in a choke hold on the ground, struggling to make it to the bell without tapping out. After surviving that early scare, a not so diplomatic Miller went out in round 2 and attacked opponent Jamal Williams, backing him up to a neutral corner and battering him until the referee stopped the assault 30 seconds into the round.
The card's main event was the latest rise up the ladder for South Lake Tahoe, California's Ryan McCarthy and the Escobar Training Grounds. McCarthy, coming off his victory over Sean Shamrock, was able to figure out a very tough Christian Cordona from Torres MMA Sport in Las Vegas. After losing his debut, McCarthy now has won five straight, and his hard work may soon see him hitting the pro ranks.
It was also a feature for Torres MMA Sport gym in Las Vegas as JJ "The Sacred Warrior" Torres, son of 6-time kickboxing champion Juan "Ghost Warrior" Torres, made a successful debut in the same arena that his dad defended his title at on a Showtime nationally televised bout in 1995. The Torres family, now in Vegas, called Lake Tahoe home for more then 20 years, and many of the Torres supporters were in attendance.
In the aftermath of the show, and as word is spreading about Ross Miller's bout, promoter Matt McGovern has already received video footage requests from CNN, TMZ, and SportsCenter. It no doubt should raise the stock of a hard-working young promoter who hopes to parlay future WFC shows in Tahoe alongside his regular Fight Republic events that are held in Reno, Nevada. Perhaps it should be a lesson for the fans as well. Attending an amateur combat sports event, you just never know who you might be seeing on the card and where their careers may some day be?
WFC 1 RESULTS:
- 160 lbs. Ryan McCarthy (4-1, ETG) TKO 1 (2:25) Christian Cordona (2-3, T.M.M.A.S.)
- 205 lbs. Ross Miller (debut, Charles Gracie Academy) TKO 2 (:30) Jamal Williams (0-1, True Hitter Fight Team)
- 185 lbs. JJ Torres (debut, T.M.M.A.S.) TKO 1 (:55) Jacob Westhoven (2-3, Family First MMA)
- 140 lbs. Casey Miller (0-4, Fight Capitol) DQ 1 (illegal back of the head) Chris Cocores (debut, independant)
- 170 lbs. Chris Huerta (2-2, Independant) unanimous decision 3 Mike Ryan (debut, No Limit)
- 135 lbs. Jesus Said (1-1, Alex Garcia BJJ) submission 1 (1:27, arm bar) Eddie Guerrero (1-2, T.M.M.A.S.)
- 140 lbs. Jose Medina (0-1,independant) KO 1 (:15) Tim Hutchins (debut, independant)
- 175 lbs. Josue Palomar (Chico, CA) submission 1 (2:54, rear naked) Marty Bindschatel (Humble Me)
- 130 lbs. Daniel Crumley (debut, No Limit) split decision 3 Cris Montnegro (independant)
- 170 lbs. James Nava (debut, Alex Garcia BJJ) TKO 1 (:56) Michael Harding (independant)