LEMOORE, Calif., July 28 — Twenty-two fighters stepped into the cage Friday evening to honor Ryan Bennett, the mixed martial arts broadcaster and journalist who died tragically in an automobile accident on May 31.
“When he passed away both Scott (Adams) and I felt we had to do something to help the family,” explained WEC vice president Reed Harris, who hired Bennett to be the lead broadcaster for WEC cards. “We have the ability through these events to sometimes do something good.”
Having recently left his position as sports anchor at an NBC affiliate in Santa Barbara, Calif. to become news director for the fledgling Fight Network, Bennett and his family found themselves without health or life insurance at the time of the accident. Subsequent hospital bills for Tonya, who suffered serious injuries in the wreck, and the children have approached $1.5 million, said Ryan’s father Richard.
“I think everybody rallied,” said Jeff Blatnick, Bennett’s partner on WEC broadcasts since March 2003. “You know I give a lot of credit to the Palace here and the Tachi tribe, Christian (Printup) in particular. Reed and Scotty for saying, ‘Hey, what can we do?’ And most of all the fighters. There’s no show without the fighters.”
Five of tonight’s 11 bouts aired live on HDNet, with Wes Sims (Pictures) headlining against 39-year-old Joel Surprenant, who recently learned that his son was afflicted with autism. Going door to door in his community of West Linn, Oregon, Surprenant helped raise almost $5,000 in Bennett’s name.
“I think it was a great show,” said Sims, who last week decided to honor his commitment of fighting for the WEC rather than pocketing $30,000 for a short-notice bout versus Bas Rutten (Pictures). “I couldn't be happier. A lot of people came out. We raised a lot of money and I hope it helps the family a good bit.
“I made the right decision for myself and I’m glad to be here.”
Sims made quick work of Surprenant, who should be remembered more for the money he raised than his performance in the cage.
Coming out with a flying dropkick that did little but land Sims on his back, the Ohioan found the inexperienced Surprenant in his guard. Sims quickly repositioned his long legs for a triangle choke, which he held onto until a woozy Surprenant dropped to his right. A mere 28 seconds after the opening bell referee Josh Rosenthal separated the heavyweights and put a halt to the contest.
“It’s fabulous that all these guys would come in here, donate their purses,” Blatnick said. “Someone like Sims could make serious money.”
Sims, like every other fighter on the card, was paid $100 for his effort tonight.
“So for them to come in and help us with the show to get a good turnout, for HDNet to put their resources into this, all on the fly, a non-scheduled event, that just shows how much an impact Ryan had on everyone,” continued Blatnick.
Though the bouts were billed as exhibitions, there wasn’t a fighter on the card who gave anything less than 100 percent for the 100 bucks.
Four additional televised bouts saw Alex Stiebling (Pictures) pump a steady jab onto the sturdy chin of Jason Guida (Pictures) to take a unanimous three-round decision over the tough wrestler.
JT Taylor (Pictures) looked good in submitting Drew Dimanlig, armbarring the fellow welterweight at 3:47 of the first.
Using ground-and-pound from the mount, Doug Marshall (Pictures) overwhelmed Jeff Terry to score a TKO victory 1:50 of round one.
Mike Joy (Pictures) kicked off the HD Net-televised card by catching Robert Densley (Pictures) with an armbar at 4:58 of round one.
Several bouts were also taped for later broadcast.
In the main event of the second portion, Fresno State University wrestler Casey Olsen (Pictures) planted Alvan Cacdus to the canvas in their lightweight tilt and proceeded to pound out a stoppage victory at 2:28 of the first.
Poppies Martinez (Pictures) needed just 50 seconds to extend and straighten Troy Miller (Pictures)’s arm, stopping the taekwondo fighter with ease just weeks before he’s slated to fight again for the WEC on August 17.
With Chuck Liddell (Pictures) and John Hackleman in his corner, Glover Teixeira (Pictures) overwhelmed Jack Morrison to win by tapout at 1:27 of the first. “The Brazilian Pitbull” slammed Morrison to the canvas off the opening bell and pounded his way from position to position. Mercifully Teixeira took Morrison’s back and ended the fight via rear-naked choke.
A back-and-forth affair saw JJ Mix score a rear-naked choke victory over Mario Rivera (Pictures) at 3:47 of the third. Mix scored with a big flurry along the cage in the first, which almost forced referee Cecil Peoples to call an end to the contest right there. However, the Californian battled past a punishing kick to his neck in the second and did well in the final period before Mix secured the choke.
Bantamweights Trevor Harris and Colley Bradford flew around the cage before Harris sunk in a fight-ending rear-naked choke at 2:19 of round one.
Pat Murphy earned a unanimous decision over Joel Thomas, bloodying the Spokane, Wash. welterweight in the second period. Murphy’s best round was the third, when he muscled a tired Thomas around the WEC cage and took his back multiple times. Thomas hung in the fight and despite the pounding refused to tap his way out.