Results and Recap: Journey Fight Series VI

Journey Fight Series VI took place this past weekend in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The event featured the opening round of the 160lb North American tournament, however, only two fighters have officially made it to the semi-finals of the tournament. On fight day the tournament bout between Sean McKinnon and Daniel Kim was scratched from the fight card after it was realized Kim’s blood work was expired. The bout will likely be rescheduled on a different fight card before the second round of the tournament begins in September.

In the night’s opening tournament bout Preston Baptiste took home a split decision victory over Marcus Fisher. Baptiste started the fight as the aggressor, but Marcus picked up his attack as the fight progressed. Baptiste started connecting with solid shots midway through the fight at one point sending Fisher to the mat with a teep to the chest, but no count was initiated by the referee. It was a seesaw technical battle until the end with Baptiste advancing in the tournament.

In the night’s second tournament bout Shane Campbell made an electric return to Muay Thai after having taken the past few years off to focus on MMA. Campbell and Nate Chambers went toe to toe for most of the first round until a right hand from Campbell dropped Chambers. Chambers took an eight count but went right back to work attacking Campbell’s legs, however, the fight didn’t last much longer as Campbell unleashed a flurry of strikes than sent Chambers down again this time when the referee signaled for him to raise his gloves and indicate he was ready he did no respond initially, prompting the referee to stop the fight in the first round.

In the night’s final tournament bout Ken Tran and Troy Sheridan fought to a technical draw. After a close and exciting first round which had both fighters landing some solid strikes, things took an unexpected turn when Tran seemed to get caught in the back of the head by an accidental elbow at which point he took a knee. Tran stated he had double vision at which point the bout was stopped and ruled a technical draw to the dismay of fans in attendance. After the event Sheridan filed an appeal with the Calgary Athletic Commission stating that he did not connect with an elbow to the back of the head and he should be awarded the (T)KO victory since Tran was unable to continue. It will be interesting to see what happens, if the original result is upheld then the pair will likely re-match on a fight card before September much like Sean McKinnon vs. Daniel Kim.

In the night’s main event Nate Smandych and Sheldon Gaines entertained the fans for five rounds. From start to finish both fighters let everything in their arsenal fly. Smandych connected with solid punches and kicks, but Gaines kept pressing forward looking to land elbows and connecting with solid kicks of his own. Gaines opened up a small cut under the left eye of Smandych and when the fight was over the big winner was the crowd. The judges awarded the split decision to Gaines in a very entertaining fight.

Results:
Sheldon Gaines def. Nate Smandych via Split Decision
Ken Tran and Troy Sheridan fight to a Technical Draw
Shane Campbell def. Nate Chambers via (T)KO in Rd. 1
Preston Baptiste def. Marcus Fisher via Split Decision  

*For more great photos by Steven Arena visit KiwiBlack.com
**Article originally from MuayThaiMediaNetwork.com