411’s YAMMA Pit Fighting Report 4.11.08

Posted by Larry Csonka on 04.12.2008

YAMMA Pit Fighting makes its PPV debut as the one-night tournament format returned to crown Travis Wiuff the first YAMMA Heavyweight Champion!

Feel free to send in your thoughts on the show! If you do, please include your BEST and WORST fight, and score the show from 0-10!

YAMMA Pit Fighting 4.11.08~!

-LIVE from the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City!

-What does the YAMMA PIT look like?

Artist Rendition

-The former UFC announce team of Bruce Beck and Jeff Blatnick are our announcers.

-For the YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament, the quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be one five-minute round each, while the championship bout will be the standard three five-minute rounds. The "Master's Super Fights" will be two five-minute rounds each.

-Ron Waterman is an alternate for the night. That's a crime.

-Bruce Beck welcomes us to the show. He runs down what we will see on the show, and they reveal…THE YAMMA PIT~!

-Jeff Blatnick is in the YAMMA and explains the YAMMA structure, and says that it is an evolution of the fighting surface. This is supposed to stop clinching against the cage.

-John Perretti is joining Bruce Beck and he puts over the YAMMA. They discuss the tournament, and the fact that the first two rounds are short fights, so you have to come out hot.

-The talk turns to Oleg Taktarov vs. Mark Kerr, and that it is wrestling vs. SAMBO. They then talk about Eric "Butterbean" Esch vs. Patrick Smith, and the fact that Butterbean has never fought in a cage structure.

-We get a video package for Sherman Pendergarst vs. Alexey Oleinik, which will be the first fight of the evening.

YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament Quarterfinal Bout: Sherman Pendergarst (10-8) vs. Alexey Oleinik (6-3)

THE ROUND: The official is Kevin Mulhall. Here we go. They clinch, around the "warning track" and Pendergarst gets a takedown. Pendergarst in the closed guard and landing some very light shots. Pendergarst is looking for side control, and they get stood up. Alexey gets a good right, a knee and another. He gets Pendergarst down, in the guard, shots to the body now and then the head. Pendergarst tries to keep him close, Alexey still working body shots and then a good right to the head. They get stood up, which was weird as they were working. Alexey gets a warning for connecting after the break. Pendergarst throws a big right, misses and Alexey with a great takedown and works some short elbows. He continues to work the body as Pendergarst tries to keep him close again but Alexey chokes him out from the guard.

-THE RESULT: Alexey Oleinik via RD1 (4:18) Submission


-We get a video package for Chris Tuscherer vs. Tony Sylvester.

YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament Quarterfinal Bout: Chris Tuscherer (11-0) vs. Tony Sylvester (10-1)

THE ROUND: Dan Miragliotti is the official. Here we go. Jabs by Sly, Tuscherer charges in and goes for a takedown, gets it but they are on the warning track and Sly with a hammer fist. Tuscherer with lefts, pushes Sly against the fence and then gets a takedown. Tuscherer with some good lefts, has side control and delivers hammer fists. A short elbow follows for Tuscherer, Sly reverses the position but Tuscherer had a guillotine, but Sly escapes. To the feet and they clinch, a big knee by Tuscherer lands. Tuscherer gets Sly down again, lands 6 good lefts to Sly. Sly gets to his feet but gets taken down again. Tuscherer with lefts, tries to keep Sly down and keeps landing some shots as they battle along the warning track. More unanswered lefts by Tuscherer, Tuscherer with basically a waist lock and works Sly to a knee again. Tuscherer keeps landing shots and knees as the round ends.

Tuscherer should win this easily.

-THE RESULT: Chris Tuscherer via Unanimous Decision

-Jeff Blatnick is with Chris Tuscherer. Tuscherer wanted to work towards the warning track and try to take Sly down. Tuscherer walks us through the replay and says he wanted double legs, and it went from there. He says he feels good. He'll be ready to go later.


-June 21st there will be a YAMMA Show for the Middleweight Title. Go to www.yammapitfighting.com, fill out a survey and get a free shirt!

-There appear to be a lot of empty seats.

-The announce team discusses the last fight.

-We get a video package for Travis Wiuff vs. Marcelo Pereira.

YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament Quarterfinal Bout: Travis Wiuff (47-11) vs. Marcelo "Pato" Pereira (5-0)

THE ROUND: Dan Miragliotti is the official. Here we go. Wiuff in with a jab to begin things. Gets a takedown, into the guard and works the body. Wiuff with an elbow and another. Postures up and Pato pulls him back in. Pato working from the bottom, but Wiuff with another elbow. Hammer fists from the bottom by Pato, Wiuff with a good left and another. Pato fires away from the bottom, tries to work the legs up but Wiuff won't allow him. Wiuff with a solid right and keeps control. Lots of hand control happening and they get stood up. Leg kick by Pato, but Wiuff take shim down again. Pato ties up the arms but Wiuff with another short elbow. Into half guard now goes Wiuff, another elbow as he works or side control but goes back to the full guard. Wiuff with more clean lefts as Pato works him away, Wiuff backs off, and back into the guard for a few more shots as the round ends. Pato is busted open above the left eye.

-THE RESULT: Travis Wiuff via Unanimous decision

-Jeff Blatnick is with Travis Wiuff. He puts over Pato, says it was a good fight and is looking for two more wins. He talks us through the replay.


-The announcers are horrible thus far.

-We get a video package for Ricco Rodriguez vs. George Bush.

YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament Quarterfinal Bout: Ricco Rodriguez (27-8) vs. George Bush (5-0)

THE ROUND: The official is Kevin Mulhall. They touch and jabs by Bush to begin. A really solid left lands for Bush, leg kick by Rodriguez and more jabs by Bush. Rodriguez shoots, gets a takedown and Bush is back up and Rodriguez slams him down again. Almost had a choke, Bush escapes and back to his feet and a good cut kick by Rodriguez. Jab by Bush, high kick by Rodriguez blocked. A solid leg kick by Bush, misses the second and a superman punch by Rodriguez misses. A shoot and SLAM by Rodriguez! Rodriguez in half guard, Bush staying busy and turns and escapes. To the feet and a leg kick by Bush. Combo by Bush, leg kick by Rodriguez and then takes a hard leg kick, but Rodriguez grabs on, waist lock and tries a slam but Bush maintains on his feet. A knee by Rodriguez, and starts to land sold shots on the incline. Body kick by Rodriguez and then shoots in after catching a kick and gets a takedown. Rodriguez has a hook, looking for the second and gets it. Rodriguez looking for a choke, Bush keeps throwing to try and break it and turns into the guard of Rodriguez. He stands, dives in with a left and Rodriguez almost catches him in a choke as the round ends.

-THE RESULT: Ricco Rodriguez via Unanimous decision

-Jeff Blatnick is with Ricco. He thanks everyone for supporting him to start. He says Bush was scrappy and kicked hard. He promises the second fight will be even better. He feels good and is ready to go.


-Ron Waterman has joined the announce team.

-We get a video package for Oleg Taktarov vs. Mark Kerr.

Master's Super Fight Bout: Oleg Taktarov (13-5-2) vs. Mark Kerr (14-6)

ROUND ONE: The official is Kevin Mulhall. Here we go and they touch, jabs by Kerr and a leg kick by Taktarov. Combo by Taktarov, another but doesn't connect. Jabs by Taktarov, Kerr shoots with a single leg, gets the takedown and into the guard. Kerr works him towards the fence, short elbows and then a left. Kerr stands, jabs by Kerr and a big right and Taktarov is down. Kerr into the guard, Taktarov looks fine from the shot but is bleeding a little. Kerr stands, drops back down and Taktarov gets a KNEE BAR and Kerr taps!

-THE RESULT: Oleg Taktarov via RD1 (1:50) Submission

-Jeff Blatnick is with Oleg. He loves excitement and that is why he fights. It makes him feel young again. He just wanted to hold him for the first 5-minutes, and make Kerr tired. It didn't really work, and he got shaken up by the shot but is lucky Kerr didn't want to stay on the ground. He set a trap with the knee bar, he faked him with showing the back. OH YOU TRICKSTER OLEG! He wanted to be in the tournament and just feels like he warmed up.


-Ron Waterman was impressed with Oleg. He is also an ordained minister and works with kids. He thinks the other Master's Fight will be a quick one.

-Alexey Oleinik (7-3) vs. Chris Tuscherer (12-0) is next.

YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinal Bout: Alexey Oleinik (7-3) vs. Chris Tuscherer (12-0)

THE ROUND: The official is Kevin Mulhall. Leg kick by Alexey to begin. Tuscherer bull rushes him, works off the incline and circles down with a guillotine and body shots by Alexey but Tuscherer is holding on. Alexey escapes as Tuscherer goes for a double leg and takes him down. Body shots by Tuscherer, a good left and another. Alexey tries to keep him close, Tuscherer stands and Alexey looks for a triangle, Tuscherer stacks up Alexey and escapes. More lefts from Tuscherer, he stands and drops back down and maintains control. Alexey keeps working for the triangle, Tuscherer stacks him and continues to land with the lefts. Tuscherer escapes another triangle attempt, stays on top and postures up and lands two good left hooks. They aren't hard shots, but he is constantly connecting. A short elbow by Tuscherer, another left and he stands and lands a right. Alexey tried for a knee bar, but can't get it. Tuscherer with aide control now, works the body with rights, short elbows as well and those are hurting Alexey as the round ends.

Tuscherer dominated.

-THE RESULT: Chris Tuscherer via Unanimous decision

-Jeff Blatnick is with Tuscherer. Tuscherer says he feels relaxed and is ready to go three rounds if he has too. He feels great and has no injuries.

YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinal Bout: Travis Wiuff (48-11) vs. Ricco Rodriguez (28-8)

THE ROUND: Dan Miragliotti is the official. Wiuff has a little swelling around his eyes from his first fight. They touch and they both throw combos and both connect a bit. Wiuff in with a superman, misses, clinch and Ricco gets a knee. Wiuff works Ricco against the incline and gets the takedown. In the guard and Wiuff can't do anything as Ricco ties him up. Wiuff manages an elbow and then a body shot. More body shots by Wiuff, another elbow connects and then a short elbow to the face of Ricco. Ricco is working to turn, works off of the incline and Wiuff with knees to the thigh. Wiuff pulls him back down and Ricco turns a bit, tries to work back to his feet as Wiuff lays on him. Knees by Wiuff, another and Ricco is on his feet, but gets pulled back down. Ricco tries a key lock, Wiuff escapes and is in half guard as Ricco works to turn and get a better position. That doesn't work and they get stood up with one minute left. Ricco then nails Wiuff in the groin with a knee. We get a brief stoppage, and they go back to action. Wiuff shoots, but Ricco stops that and misses a body kick. Superman punch misses for Ricco and he eats a right. Wiuff gets another takedown, Ricco tries for an arm, but the round ends.

-THE RESULT: Travis Wiuff via Unanimous decision

-Jeff Blatnick is with Travis Wiuff. Wiuff says the key was his strength. He trained very hard and he gives Ricco credit, and he is an idol to him. He felt good and can go hard for 5-minutes. He trained for the 3-rounds and is ready to go.


-June 21st there will be a YAMMA Show for the Middleweight Title. Go to www.yammapitfighting.com, fill out a survey and get a free shirt!

-We get a video package for Eric "Butterbean" Esch vs. Patrick Smith.

Master's Super Fight Bout: Eric "Butterbean" Esch (10-5-1) vs. Patrick Smith (14-13)

ROUND ONE: Dan Miragliotti is the official. And we're off! They touch, Smith with jabs and a kick. Butterbean with a right, misses another. Leg kick by Butterbean. Jabs by Smith, another and Butterbean misses a right. Leg kick by Smith, Butterbean with one and misses. Straight kick by Smith and a right by Butterbean. Another leg kick by Smith and a combo follows. Smith with a good inside leg kick, a right follows and then a combo. Butterbean with a right backs him off, Butterbean misses a snot, takes a leg kick and FALLS on his face. Smith jumps on him, starts to land rights and left. Butterbean is just trying to push him away as Smith keeps landing shots. Smith keeps landing shots as Butterbean covers up and really does nothing to stop it. Elbows and rights by Smith. Butterbean has been warned to fight back, but Smith just keeps landing, a great left elbow and Butterbean taps out due to strikes.

-THE RESULT: Patrick Smith via RD1 (3:17) Verbal TKO

-Jeff Blatnick is with Pat Smith. He says his ground is killer. Smith says there was a lot of slipping due to the new mat. He hurt his legs kicking at the bones. He says he would have knocked him out if they stayed standing. Smith gives some shout outs.



YAMMA Heavyweight Title Tournament FINAL Bout: Chris Tuscherer (12-0) vs. Travis Wiuff (49-11)

ROUND ONE: I will refer to Chris Tuscherer as "Chris" to make things easier on me. The official is Kevin Mulhall. They touch and here we go for the title! Jabs by Wiuff to begin. Another jab and they clinch and as Chris goes for a takedown, Wiuff turns it into one for himself. Side control by Wiuff, he drops a short elbow as Chris tries to buck him off. Another short elbow connects for Wiuff, Chris tries and almost rolls him but Wiuff maintains side control. They aren't doing too much, Chris works the body a bit but Wiuff on top from the side and getting some short elbows to land. Into north south position now, to the feet and they separate. Chris gets a good right to land, but Wiuff with a good one to answer back. A combo by Chris, Wiuff stops a shoot, they work up the incline and Wiuff gets the takedown. Into the guard, Chris with good rights from the bottom. He is doing more from the bottom as he is controlling the hands well. Wiuff gets a short elbow, and they now get stood up. Wiuff DROPS him with a right, back up and DROPS him again! Chris is bleeding from the nose and Wiuff has side control, lands elbows and rights, Chris hangs on for the bell!

LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Wiuff dominated and possibly broke the nose of Chris. Wiuff takes the round 10-8.

The doctor is checking on Chris and he is allowed to continue.

ROUND TWO: Round two begins, leg kick by Chris and another. They circle and a jab by Wiuff, a right connects and Wiuff gets a takedown. Wiuff into the guard, gets a right elbow and then a left. A killer left elbow lands and that one had a smack to it. Wiuff had mount, and then leaves it. WHY? Wiuff takes a few shots as he gets back into the guard, and they get stood up. They circle, Wiuff with jabs again and they clinch, under hooks and they break. More jabs from Wiuff, overhand right, they clinch and no knees being thrown by either guy. They separate and Chris misses a cut kick, they both land with jabs a good right follows by Chris and they clinch. They separate again and Chris is tired as hell. His mouth is open and Wiuff with another jab. They dance, Chris charge sin and Wiuff just backs off. Jab by Wiuff, they counter each other and then a leg kick by Chris. The round ends.

LARRY'S SCORE CARD: A largely boring round that saw Wiuff back off too much, but he still took this round 10-9 and is up 20-17.

ROUND THREE: Final round now and they clinch, to the incline and Wiuff gets the takedown and is into the guard again. Short elbows by Wiuff, forearm shots as well. Wiuff is controlling but not doing much from the top. He is getting some short shots, but they get stood up. They both connect as they stand, a right by Chris and a bull rush and gets Wiuff down. Body shots and a solid left to the face of Wiuff. Wiuff works the incline to get to his feet, Chris stands and Wiuff to his feet and they clinch. They separate as one of them slipped off of a throw try. Jabs by both connect, again jabs by both and Wiuff then gets a nice right. They both land solid shots, they clinch again and knees by Chris. He gets a standing butterfly lock, into under hooks and more knees by Chris. Jabs by both keep landing, a right by Chris and they clinch. Wiuff with a right, they both throw a bit and Chris is landing, rocks Wiuff, but Wiuff gets a takedown to stop the momentum.

LARRY'S SCORE CARD: Chris Tuscherer did his best at the end of the round, but it was too little too late. He may have taken the last round, may have, but I will go with Wiuff 30-26 overall.

-THE RESULT: THE FIRST EVER YAMMA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION is Travis Wiuff via Unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27,30-27)

-Jeff Blatnick is with Travis Wiuff. Wiuff thanks Jesus to begin, and says he hopes his daughter when she is older can see this to show he was a tough dude at one time. Wiuff says he broke his hand at the end of the first round, and couldn't do much with it after that. He talks us through the replay and puts over his opponent as tough and a great wrestler. He trained for 25-minutes and he felt he could be in the finals. Hard work pays off. He thanks his training partners and YAMMA.


-The announcers discuss the night of fights as the building is clearing out quickly.

Feel free to send in your thoughts on the show! If you do, please include your BEST and WORST fight, and score the show from 0-10!