If you are a fan of Chi-townMMAniacs, then you know that we are a website that has always been out there to help promote amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighters and their endeavor to gain exposure. Over the last couple of weeks there has been some major changes to one of the busiest amateur MMA promotions here in the Chicago area. This weekend CutthroatMMA.com will unveil their format.
One of the most notable changes that happened is the absence of President Mike Davis and Fighter Relations (matchmaker) Anthony Bilus from CutthroatMMA. Due to outside circumstances the two (Mike and Anthony) are no longer with the company. For many years these two have put on shows that have kept local crowds on the edge of theirs seats. I watched these two guys put everything they had into CutthroatMMA.com and physically go above and beyond to make sure that the event would not disappoint the fans. So now what’s in store for Chicago’s amateur MMA scene in regards to Cutthroat?
A recent Facebook post promoting this Fridays event “Invasion Chicago” (2) had this attached to it. “Our new mission at Cut Throat MMA is to bring the best fighters from across the country to showcase their skills in our market. We want our Cut Throat MMA fighter to be the best not just in Chicago but nationwide.” The promotion card that this was attached to was for Fridays Main Card event for the 170lb title featuring Chicago’s Danny “The Machine” Morales vs Washington’s Shane Grenko. This fight was originally set with local fighter David Booth (a Cutthroat Champion Light Heavy Champ) as of the last “Invasion Chicago”. After this change the promotion continued to announce more fighters from out of state coming in to challenge local fighters.
I reached out to CutthroatMMA.com and talked with Nadene Vuletik the new matchmaker for CutthroatMMA.com and asked her why they decided to have so many fighters from out of state on the card. She said that she wanted to break away from the old program that had limited partnerships and “Broaden the Horizon and Branch out”. She was going to use connections that CutthroatMMA.com has in Vegas as well as other states. I asked her what she would have to say to fighters in Chicago about the changes they have made and bringing in fighters from out of state. She said “We are looking for the best. We love Chicago fighters. We just want to give them options instead of having them fight the same gyms.”
As blogger that’s been around a while, I have watched fighters grow in this sport. I have seen amateurs grow and start a very promising career as a pro. Will this change of bringing in talent from out of state help or hurt the amateur scene in Chicago? I don’t know the answer to that. I do know that on the card this Friday night. There are nine fighters that have continuously put on a show for their fans and local Chicago venues. These fighters include; Danny “The Machine” Morales, Tom Shoaf, JJ Gilmer, Dorothy Schultz, Pierre Williams, Axel Mendez, Eric “F-14” Bradach.
See the full Fight Card below for this Friday - 4/27/12 at the Congress Theater
Danny Morales - Carlson Gracie Fight Team vs Shane Grenko - White Buffalo Warriors (Washington) 170lb Title Fight (MMA)
Tom Shoaff - Carlson Gracie Fight Team vs Warren Roberds - Wand Fight Team (Las Vegas) 170lb (MMA)
JJ Gilmer – Team Colon vs Sean Silvers – Independent (Indiana) 125lb Title Fight (MMA)
Dorothy Shultz – Carlson Gracie Fight Team vs Desiree Brandt – Power MMA (Arizona) 145lb (Muay Thai)
Pierre Williams – Rebels of Destruction vs Justin Blankenship – Team Train to Reign (California) 170lbs
Axel Mendes – Carlson Gracie Fight Team vs Anthony Pazamino – BBDC (California) 155lbs (Muay Thai)
Eric Bradach – Team Toro vs Nemo Vier – BBDC (California) 140lbs (Muay Thai)
Alphonsa Graves – Hackerott’s Leadership Academy (Kansas) vs Jacob Ryan Judiscak – Independent (Oklahoma) 170 lbs
Larry Lindman – Carlson Gracie Fight Team vs Tom Regep – Valko BJJ - both from Illinois will be competing in a Charity Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match for Make-A-Wish Foundation.
