Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Written by: Rebecca Lee


LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Banner Promotions and the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV opens the doors to their first ever co-sponsored Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts event. UNLV Tickets offered event passes to anyone interested in the event - free of charge! Over 16,000 free tickets were given away to the public for the event.

The night began with four (4) boxing matches filmed live for ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Then a quick change of the canvas and the action in the ring turned to MMA with five (5) bouts scheduled for three 5-minute rounds each.


ESPN Boxing Results:

Grzegorz Kielsa defeated Alvaro Morales by Unanimous Decision after four (4) rounds

Jonte Willis defeated Clarence Tillman by Unanimous Decision after four (4) rounds

Kevin Burnett defeated Horace Grant by Unanimous Decision after eight (8) rounds***

*** Burnett was knocked out just after the final bell but returned to his feet before the 10-count.

Main Event:

Friday Ahunanya defeated Alonzo Butler by Unanimous Decision after ten (10) rounds


All boxing bouts were Heavyweight Division.



Mixed Martial Arts Results:


Fight 1 – Brice Ritani-Coe vs. Rob Mitchell (265+ lbs – Super Heavyweights)

Round 1:

As the MMA portion of the night begins, Ritani-Coe and Mitchell circle each other, exchanging sporadic punches. Mitchell checks with lower leg kicks and Ritani-Coe lands a hard left hook waking up his opponent. As they continue to circle and trade, Ritani-Coe begins to use combinations keeping Mitchell at a distance. During an exchange, Mitchell grabs for the clench and delivers two knees to the body as Ritani-Coe answers with overhands and body shots. Ritani-Coe works to break free just as Mitchell lands another knee to the head. Circling again, the fighters trade several more shots before locking up against the ropes. Ritani-Coe works his way around the corner of the ring as Mitchell uses his body to keep his opponent on the ropes. Ritani-Coe is finally able to press Mitchell away just as Mitchell delivers two punches to the head. Ritani-Coe uses his left to make space and drops Mitchell with a hard right knee to his head. Ritani-Coe, in side mount, begins the ground and pound work to finish his opponent. After a submission attempt and an effort of Mitchell trying to get the fight back up, Ritani-Coe pins his opponent’s arm and continues to punch him in the head until the referee stops the bout. (Fight Video)

Brice Ritani-Coe (1 – 0) defeats Rob Mitchell (0 – 1) by TKO due to strikes at 4:33 of Round 1


Fight 2 – Kui Gonsalves-Kanoho vs. Ricky Johnson (145 lbs - Featherweights)

Round 1:

Johnson’s opening left kick is met with a straight right in the center of the ring. Gonsalves lands an overhand right and shoots driving Johnson back into the ropes. Landing another punch, Gonsalves swings Johnson to the canvas, takes sidemount, and continues to hammer Johnson’s face until Johnson spins on his back to replace guard. Gonsalves stands and punches from the guard; regaining sidemount, he continues his assault. Johnson finds room to get out and they return to their feet. Gonsalves and Johnson trade high kicks and punches; Gonsalves lands several shots in the exchange. Both fighters seem eager to keep the fight standing and continue to throw kicks, short combos, a flying knee, and several punches. Johnson seems rocked at one point as Gonsalves connects with a hard right and a knee; Gonsalves goes for the clench, but as they lock up, Johnson forces them to the canvas and lands on top in half guard. As the two fighters struggle for control, the referee must turn the fighters away from the edge of the ring. Gonsalves grips his hands over his opponent’s back as Johnson continues to work in punches. He uses his forearm to drive Gonsalves’ shoulders back to the canvas. The referee stands them up and Gonsalves settles into his punches while Johnson relies on his kicks until the horn signaling the end of the first round. (Round 1 - Fight Video)

Round 2:

Both fighters return to the center of the ring trading punches. Johnson shoots for a single leg sitting Gonsalves on the canvas; Gonsalves scoots backward toward the ropes avoiding Johnson’s attempts to gain top position. The fighters lock up as they get to their feet and exchange knees to the body. Getting off the ropes, they move back to the center of the ring and Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown. Gonsalves counters forcing Johnson to his back and lands several shots as he moves to sidemount. Johnson quickly spins to replace guard and Gonsalves gets back to his feet. Both fighters are beginning to slow their pace as Gonsalves lunges forward for a combo and Johnson shoots for the takedown. They fight for control with Gonsalves’ inside Johnson’s closed guard; Gonsalves posts several times landing punches from the guard and Johnson answers back with a few strikes from the bottom. The referee stands them up and Gonsalves opens up with a flurry of shots knocking Johnson to his knees. Johnson recovers quickly and the two engage in an even exchange of effective strikes, kicks, and knees, ending the round on their feet. (Round 2 -Fight Video)

Round 3:

Johnson seems to set the pace of this round as he opens with a superman punch and lands a couple of jabs and head kicks. Gonsalves finally fires back and, at one point, the action is stopped as Johnson is inadvertently kicked in the groin. The stand up exchange continues; Johnson takes some hard shots to the head but continues to press Gonsalves with kicks and jabs. Gonsalves catches Johnson with a short combo of heavy strikes against the ropes, but Johnson recovers throwing Gonsalves to the canvas. Back on his feet quickly, Gonsalves lands a few strikes and Johnson returns with punches and low kicks. With almost the entire round fought on their feet, both fighters seem to be relieved when the final horn sounds ending the fight. After 3 rounds, judges score 30 -27 for Gonsalves over Johnson; unfortunately, Gonsalves also takes home a broken nose. (Round 3 - Fight Video)

Kui Gonsalves-Kanoho (1 – 0) defeats Ricky Johnson (0 – 1) by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 of Round 3


Fight 3 – Dennis Davis vs. Dave Jansen (150 lbs - Lightweights)

Round 1:

Former TeamQuest teammates, Davis and Jansen begin the round with short punch exchanges. Sizing each other up, they lock in the clench but release their holds quickly. As Jansen lands a short combination and they lock up again; Davis goes for the takedown pushing Jansen to the corner. Jansen attempts a guillotine, but Davis gets his head out and they fight for hand position exchanging knees and body shots. The referee moves the action to the center where Jansen connects with an overhand right; Davis answers back with a hard left-right combo and they continue to trade strikes. As they lock up again, Davis throws his left arm over the back of Jansen’s head and jumps on him for a standing guillotine, but Jansen backs into the corner and drops to his knees to release the hold. Davis then tries to secure a head and arm choke in an attempt to finish his opponent; he jumps to the guard position, wrapping his legs around Jansen’s back, but Jansen remains calm and eventually squeezes his chin out. Jansen works to get in Davis’ half guard delivering punches from the top position as Davis rolls to escape. As Davis replaces guard, Jansen continues to hammer away and regains half guard position. Davis turns to escape; Jansen attempts to take his back. Davis tries again to replace guard after Jansen goes for a head and arm choke, but Jansen maintains the half guard and finishes the round with elbows and punches.(Round 1 - Fight Video)

Round 2:

Davis and Jansen return to the center of the ring trading punches and kicks; Jansen lands a right uppercut that knocks Davis to the mat. Jansen continues to land heavy hammer punches as he transitions from Davis’ guard to sidemount, to his back and back to half guard; Jansen remains in the top position taking advantage of his ground and pound as he works. As they get to their feet struggling for control, submission attempts by both fighters are unsuccessful. Davis catches Jansen with a knee that seems to buckle his knees, but Jansen fights back immediately returning to the ground game and regaining top position. The fighters get back on their feet and in the exchange, Jansen secures a takedown landing in Davis’ guard. Davis continually tries to sweep and makes attempts at a kimura but Jansen controls him with hammer punches and pass attempts. Davis finally gets the fight onto its feet again holding Jansen by the head and arm but they fall back to the canvas just as the round ends. (Round 2 - Fight Video)

Round 3:

After a short punch exchange, Jansen shoots for a takedown and gets caught in a guillotine. Davis closes guard and tries to sink the choke, but Jansen uses his hand control to release the grip. As Davis turns to escape, Jansen forces him back down and begins to throw punches from the guard. Davis turns his back to get out; Davis gets to his feet and Jansen suplexes Davis but gets caught under Davis as he tries to get up. Davis keeps pressure on Jansen’s back as Jansen scoots on his knees toward the corner. Davis tries to take a couple of shots hitting Jansen underneath the body but gets backed into the corner. Davis gets back to his knees over Jansen’s back striking at Jansen’s ribs and body. The round ends just as they get to their feet. Jansen remains undefeated as the judges score unanimously in his favor. (Round 3 - Fight Video)

Dave Jansen (4 – 0) defeats Dennis Davis (14 – 9) by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 of Round 3


Fight 4 – Kim Rose vs. Kimi Couture (125 lbs - Bantamweights)

Round 1:

Rose opens up with a solid punch to Couture’s jaw. As Couture falls to her knees wrapping herself around Rose’s body, Rose continues to throw short solid punches. Rose overhooks Couture's neck and as they roll Couture attempts to pin down Rose’s hands. Each time, Rose gets free, she continuously strikes Couture in the head and face, but Couture gains ground maintaining half guard and locking down Rose’s fists. Rose delivers blows to the body as Couture attempts to mount and uses shoulder pressure to keep Rose on her back. Rose attempts a guillotine but gives it up to replace guard and continues to punch Couture in the side of the head; Couture remains in the top position inside Rose’s closed guard; she postures up exchanging punches with Rose and using her forearms to make space. Rose is relentless from the bottom and continues to land strikes on Couture’s face. But Couture answers back varying her hammer punches inside and out. As Couture sits back, Rose tries to lock in an armbar but Couture gets to her feet breaking the hold. Couture throws punches from the standing position outside of Rose’s guard but has to avoid Rose’s upkicks. She circles Rose who is still lying on her back until the round ends. (Round 1 - Fight Video)

Round 2:

The round begins with both fighters trading punches, but it’s Rose who lands more strikes in the exchange. Couture backs away to stay out of range and when she finds an opening she clenches Rose delivering solid knees to the body. Rose sneaks in a couple of shots over the top but Couture secures a takedown landing on top in half guard and keeps her body close to her opponent’s shoulder to avoid Rose’s punches. Both fighters make it back to their feet and lock up against ropes. Couture uses her hip and overhook to throw Rose back to the canvas and takes side control as Rose’s continually taps at her head and face. Using her elbows and forearms, Rose makes enough space to get inside with short punches. Couture remains close on top and eventually ends up back in Rose’s guard. Rose continues punching face and body wherever she has room until the referee stands them up. Rose immediately opens up with a flurry of punches and when Couture locks up her arms, she resorts to foot stomps and knees. Couture gets the clench and delivers a couple of solid knees to the body. They separate and trade strikes again; Rose backs Couture into the ropes as Couture goes for the clench. (Round 2 - Fight Video)

Round 3:

Couture and Rose lock up almost immediately; Rose uses it to land overhand strikes while Couture uses the position to counter with knee after knee to the body. Rose uses her forearms again for space and they exchange elbows to the face. The standup battle continues with exchanges of knees, shots to the body, strikes to each other’s faces and clench work. Couture uses an outside trip to secure a takedown and maintains half guard. Rose attempts a guillotine and both struggle for control. Couture tries to pass to the full mount but the horn sounds signaling the end of the fight. Rose wins the bout by unanimous decision. Couture is taken to the hospital after the fight for a split lower jaw that it is believed she suffered in the opening round. (Round 3 - Fight Video)

Kim Rose (1 – 0) defeats Kimi Couture (0 – 1) by Unanimous Decision at 5:00 of Round 3


Fight 5 – John Alessio vs. Pete Spratt (170 lbs - Welterweights)

Round 1:

Alessio and Spratt meet in the center of the ring checking each other with low leg kicks and tapping hands. Alessio moves in with body shots pressing Spratt to the ropes; he makes several attempts to take Spratt down as they exchanging knees inside. Spratt avoids the attempts and presses Alessio back with hard knees to the thigh; Alessio tries to trip Spratt driving him back to the ropes. Alessio picks Spratt up and slams him to the canvas for the takedown but gets his head caught in Spratt’s guillotine. Unable to secure the choke, Spratt gets back to his feet as Alessio overhooks his head and arm. Spratt gets out and connects with a right hook and left kick before Alessio attempts another takedown. As they lock up in the corner, the referee steps in to restart the action. Spratt keeps Alessio outside with a couple of solid leg kicks and strikes. A big overhand right sends Alessio back into the ropes and he immediately shoots for another takedown. Spratt sprals against the ropes as Alessio tries to pull a single leg out from under him. Spratt avoids and they lock up, moving around the ring, struggling for the over/under control. It is Spratt who gets the trip takedown on Alessio and after a short scramble catches Alessio in his guard going for the armbar. The horn sounds ending the round.

Round 2:

At the start of this round, Alessio and Spratt do not touch gloves; Alessio goes right in for strikes but Spratt pushes him off and fakes a flying knee. Both fighters laugh off the attempt and they return to their standup exchange of punches and kicks. As they lock up in the clench, there is an exchange of knees and both fighters let go. Spratt returns to his kicks landing a high head kick and then a low hard one just as Alessio blocks with his forearm. Two more kicks from Spratt and they lock up again against the corner. Alessio trips Spratt into a takedown and takes his back as Spratt stands up against the ropes. With his feet wrap around Spratt, Alessio works his arms into position for the rear naked choke and secures it forcing Spratt to tap out at 2:07 of Round 2. Alessio suffers a broken forearm from an earlier blocked kick. (Fight Video)

John Alessio (23 – 11) defeats Pete Spratt (18 – 13) by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:07 of Round 2


All fight videos posted courtesy of the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.